UK NATIONAL PARKS CHARITY FOUNDATION YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
Charity number 1182566 Also registered in Scotland with Charity Number SC049846
| Page | |
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| Reference and administrative information | 2 |
| Report of the Trustees | 3 |
| Report and Accounts | 7 |
| Statement of balances | 8-9 |
| Additional analysis | 10-11 |
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UK NATIONAL PARKS CHARITY FOUNDATION YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
Reference and Administrative Information
Charity number
In England and Wales 1182566 In Scotland SC049846
Address
c/o Brecon Beacons National Park, Plas y Ffynnon Cambrian Way, Aberhonddu, Wales LD3 7HP
Trustees
David Cameron (left 5/12/24) Gavin Capstick (left 14/11/24) Peter Dixon Tegryn Jones (Chair) Gordon Watson (joined 4/12/24) Emyr Williams (left 30/6/24) James Winkworth (joined 14/11/24) Fiona Wynne (joined 14/11/24)
Bank
Triodos Bank, Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5AS This arrangement since January 2020
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Objectives and Activities
The Trustees are pleased to present their fourth Trustees report together with the financial statements, for the period to 31 March 2025. In setting our objectives and planning our activities the trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.
Structure, Governance and management
The Charity was registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 20 March 2019, and subsequently registered with the Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator on 9 January 2020.
The UK National Park Foundation Members are:
Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority Broads Authority Cairngorms National Park Authority Eryri National Park Authority Exmoor National Park Authority Lake District National Park Authority Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority National Parks Partnerships New Forest National Park Authority Peak District National Park Authority Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority South Downs National Park Authority
Membership
Membership of the CIO is open to anyone who is interested in furthering its purposes, subject to approval by Trustees.
Trustees
The charity must have a minimum of three trustees, with no maximum.
Trustees are appointed following nomination by two National Parks members. For this purpose both National Parks Partnerships and the Broads Authority are deemed to be National Parks members.
Charitable Purpose
The charity is established for the benefit of the public within the areas designated as National Parks in England, Wales and Scotland to support the following objectives and activities while recognising at all times the requirement to respect the special qualities of those designated areas:
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The preservation, conservation and enhancement of natural and cultural heritage;
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The promotion of sustainable development by:
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Objectives and Activities
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(a) the preservation, conservation and the protection of the environment and the prudent use of natural resources;
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(b) the promotion of sustainable means of communities achieving rural economic growth and regeneration;
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The education of the public in the physical and natural environment of the National Parks and their special qualities;
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The promotion of the National Parks as facilities for appropriate recreation and enjoyment for members of the public at large in the interests of social welfare;
Sustainable development within these objectives means “development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.
Activities
The Charity refers to itself more commonly as The UK National Parks Foundation (UKNPF).
In the past year the following activity has taken place:
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Delivery of Year 3 grant of 5-year £500,000 commitment relating to private finance for nature restoration activities under ‘Revere’ secured from the Estée Lauder Companies UK & Ireland
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Delivery of American Express Foundation grant (£95,144 received July 2024).
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Drafting and submission of an application to the Prudence Trust to support Green Futures (unsuccessful).
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Ongoing partnerships (managed by National Parks Partnerships) with Carousel Calendars, Otter House, Adventure Pins, Pawprint, WildBounds and trundl totalling £6,833 for the year.
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AGM held on 6 November 2024.
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Achievements and performance
The main focus of trustees in this reporting period has been working with NPP on the delivery of American Express Foundation (AMEX) and ELC grants.
AMEX Foundation
The grant of £95,144 was to support tree planting and green skills sessions. The winning of the grant was predicated on the requirement that 50% would go to SDNPA and 50% to other National Parks. The UKNPF Trustees were agreeable to this on the basis that funds to support the Charity’s objectives would be distributed to the National Park family whilst not negatively impacting SDNPA’s established relationship with AMEX. NPP manages the day-to-day relationship with AMEX on behalf of the UKNPF.
During this period the UKNPF distributed the following grants:
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1 grant of £44,644 (Travel grants, tree and hedgerow planting) – SDNPA
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5 grants of £7,000 (Green skills) – Bannau Brycheiniog, Dartmoor, Lake District, Northumberland, North York Moors
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2 grants of £7,000 (tree planting) – Eryri and Exmoor
£1,500 was retained by NPP in respect of their costs of managing and distributing the grants.
An exceptional amount of activity has already taken place thanks to these grants with a full report due in August 2025.
ELC
ELC’s 5-year partnership supports innovation in Nature-based Solutions through Revere.
ELC’s year 3 grant was directed to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park to develop a park-wide invasive species monitoring programme and financing model.
At the end of 2024 a call out for 2025 projects was made by NPP on behalf of the UKNPF with the year 4 beneficiary (Exmoor NP) being chosen.
Prudence Trust
In late 2024 we were approached by the Prudence Trust to apply for up to £2m funding (over 4 years) to support education and outreach within National Parks. NPP and the Learning & Outreach teams within National Parks worked closely to pull together an application and representatives from NPP, North York Moors and South Downs met with the Trust to talk through the submission. Whilst we were unsuccessful in our bid it was a useful exercise in showing our collaborative working and the value of having a UK Foundation to facilitate such approaches.
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Financial review
Income received by the UKNPF in 2024/5 was £192,227 (plus interest of £516) as a mix of grant funding and ongoing product related partnerships and interest income. £183,644 was distributed as grants to NPAs during FY 2024/25. £330 was incurred by UKNPF during this period for accounting support.
Trustees and colleagues at National Park Partnerships have been careful to avoid damaging any potential charitable income generation activities being pursued by charities based within individual National Parks. We believe our actions since formation have caused no adverse impacts for any National Parks’ charitable activities or affiliations. It remains the intention of the UKNPF to generate additional funds for UK level activity that might not otherwise be secured via local charitable means.
Future Plans and Financial Sustainability
The trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future, thus meeting the financial sustainability and going concern requirements of the Charities SORP (FRS 102) and the Charity Commission's guidance (CC17).
We anticipate that 2025/6 will be similar to 2024/5 including grant distribution from partners including ELC and AMEX. In addition our cause-product partnerships will continue. Trustees together with NPP will continue to explore opportunities to leverage funding from companies that wish to provide philanthropic support at a UK level.
Reserves Policy
The charity does not have any operating costs save that of preparing the annual accounts. Currently, the Charity is only committing to projects once it has secured the funding to do so. This means that the Charity is therefore not exposed to any long-term liabilities.
The trustees regularly review reserves, using the Reserves Policy to support both the financial strategy and the strategic plan. A risk-based approach is used to calculate an optimal amount of reserves that looks at reliability of income, costs and specific liabilities.
Risk Management
The Charity is developing its framework for risk management. Risk management is focused on identifying significant risks, which are inherent within the Charity’s activities, structure and funding; and mitigating the potential impact of these risks through its operating and investment programme, management actions and conventional risk management. The Board of Trustees regularly review risks.
Membership of the Charity
Trustees also recognise that since establishment of the Foundation on 20 March 2019, we have secured membership of 11 of the UK’s 15 National Parks. Now that we have significant funds available for distribution and have demonstrated the non-clash principles by which we operate (avoiding negative effects on local fundraising) we would welcome applications from the remaining NPAs to become members of the Charity. However, membership of the Charity is not a requirement for receiving funds.
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The Foundation will also continue to have regard for the benefit of all National Parks in planning and delivering its work.
We will continue to have dialogue with any parties interested in securing our charitable objectives in order to ensure the Foundation sits well within the overall framework of organisations working for the benefit of National Parks in England, Wales and Scotland.
Tegryn Jones Chair, for UK National Parks Charity Foundation
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Independent Certification
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/03/2025.
As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: Date: 16/12/2025
Name: Victoria Crespi
Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any) n/a Funding & Impact Officer, South Downs National Park Trust Address: South Downs Centre, North Street, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 9DH
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UK NATIONAL PARKS CHARITY FOUNDATION YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACTIVITIES | Funds | Funds | 2025 | Funds | Funds | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Receipts | Notes | ||||||
| Grants | £ - | £ 185,394 | £ 185,394 | £ - | £ 90,647 | £ 90,647 | |
| Donations | 1 | £ 6,833 | £ - | £ 6,833 | £ 9,157 | £ - | £ 9,157 |
| Investment Income | £ 516 | £ - | £ 516 | £ 494 | £ - | £ 494 | |
| Total Receipts | £ 7,349 | £ 185,394 | £ 192,743 | £ 9,651 | £ 90,647 | £ 100,299 | |
| Expenditure | |||||||
| Charitable Payments | £ - | £ 183,644 | £ 183,644 | £ - | £ 179,700 | £ 179,700 | |
| Bank Charges | £ 4 | £ - | £ 4 | £ 6 | £ - | £ 6 | |
| AccountancyFees | £ 330 | £ - | £ 330 | £ 540 | £ - | £ 540 | |
| Total Expenditure | £ 334 | £ 183,644 | £ 183,978 | £ 546 | £ 179,700 | £ 180,246 | |
| Net Income | £ 7,015 | £ 1,750 | £ 8,765 | £ 9,106 | (£ 89,053) | (£ 79,947) | |
| Reserves Brought Forward | £ 23,548 | £ 252 | £ 23,801 | £ 14,443 | £ 89,305 | £ 103,748 | |
| Reserves Carried forward | £ 30,564 | £ 2,002 | £ 32,566 | £ 23,548 | £ 252 | £ 23,801 |
The notes on pages form part of these financial statements
UK NATIONAL PARKS CHARITY FOUNDATION YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| BALANCE SHEET | 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| CURRENT ASSETS | Notes | ||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | £ 32,566 | £ 23,801 | |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | £ 32,566 | £ 23,801 | |
| FUNDS | |||
| Unrestricted Funds | 2 | £ 30,564 | £ 23,548 |
| Restricted Funds | 3 | £ 2,002 | £ 252 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | £ 32,566 | £ 23,801 |
Tegryn Jones Chair
UK National Parks Charity Foundation Date: 5 September 2025
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The notes on pages form part of these financial statements
UK NATIONAL PARKS CHARITY FOUNDATION YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 ADDITIONAL ANALYSIS
1 DONATIONS
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reserves | Reserves | 2025 | Reserves | Reserves | 2024 | |
| Donations | £ 6,833 | £ - | £ 6,833 | £ 9,157 | £ - | £ 9,157 |
2 UNRESTRICTED INCOME FUNDS
| Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance as at | Incoming | Outgoing | Movement in | Balance as at |
|
| Unrestricted Income Funds | 31/03/2024 | Resources | Resources | the Year | 31/03/2025 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Columbia Friends and Family | £ 3,063 | £ - | £ - | £ - | £ 3,063 |
| Amazon Smile Contributions | £ 37 | £ - | £ - | £ - | £ 37 |
| Adventure Pins | £ 5,341 | £ 2,456 | £ - | £ 2,456 | £ 7,797 |
| Pedal for Parks | £ 5,000 | £ - | £ - | £ - | £ 5,000 |
| Trundl | £ 2,301 | £ 1,046 | £ - | £ 1,046 | £ 3,348 |
| Outdoor ScratchMaps | £ 48 | £ - | £ - | £ - | £ 48 |
| Bank interest and charges | £ 695 | £ 516 | £ 4 | £ 512 | £ 1,207 |
| Calendar/jigsaws | £ 3,017 | £ 574 | £ - | £ 574 | £ 3,590 |
| Little Trekkers | £ 293 | £ - | £ - | £ - | £ 293 |
| General Donations | £ 1,927 | £ 357 | £ 330 | £ 27 | £ 1,954 |
| Hublsoft | £ 300 | £ - | £ - | £ - | £ 300 |
| WildBounds | £ - | £ 2,400 | £ - | £ 2,400 | £ 2,400 |
| WeAre8 | £ 1,527 | £ - | £ - | £ - | £ 1,527 |
| Total | £ 23,548 | £ 7,349 | £ 334 | £ 7,015 | £ 30,564 |
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3 RESTRICTED INCOME FUNDS
| Total | Balance as | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance as at | Incoming | Outgoing | Movement | at | |
| Restricted Income Funds | 31/03/2024 | Resources | Resources | in the Year | 31/03/2025 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| AMEX | £ 2 | £ 95,144 | £ 93,644 | £ 1,500 | £ 1,502 |
| ELC | £ 250 | £ 90,250 | £ 90,000 | £ 250 | £ 500 |
| Total | £ 252 | £ 185,394 | £ 179,700 | £ 89,053 | £ 2,002 |
| Total | Balance as | ||||
| Balance as at | Incoming | Outgoing | Movement | at | |
| Restricted Income Funds | 31/03/2023 | Resources | Resources | in the Year | 31/03/2024 |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| AMEX | £ 89,555 | £ 397 | £ 89,750 | (£ 89,553) | £ 2 |
| ELC | (£ 250) | £ 90,250 | £ 89,750 | £ 500 | £ 250 |
| Total | £ 89,305 | £ 90,647 | £ 179,700 | (£ 89,053) | £ 252 |
AMEX Grants support green skills/tree planting projects.
ELC funding to Revere Innovation, this year directed to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Invasive Species project.
4 STAFF COSTS
The charity considers its key management personnel comprises of the Trustees only. No Trustees received remuneration during the period from the Charity
The charity has no directly employed staff.
5 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
There were no related party transactions in the year.
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