Our financial summary 2025-2026
Dorset Wildlife Trust had a successful year making substantial progress towards a Wilder Dorset by 2030. Important land acquisitions and expansion of existing reserves further strengthened the Trust’s ability to protect wildlife and deliver nature recovery at scale.
Financial performance was strong, with the audited accounts recording an overall surplus of £113,162 against a budgeted deficit of £678,000 balanced by income received in previous years. Legacy income of £953,000 was a major contributor, while unrestricted funds stood at £7.38 million and free reserves at £3.94 million, equivalent to approximately eight months of budgeted expenditure.
Key risks include rising costs, uncertain income, a changing membership recruitment market, policy change and ensuring that organisational capacity keeps pace with expanding conservation activity. Our priorities are to diversify income, strengthen resilience and accelerate nature recovery across Dorset.
The Income and Expenditure for Dorset Wildlife Trust for the year ended 31 March 2026 are set out in Charts 1 and 2. The information is taken from the audited consolidated accounts of Dorset Wildlife Trust which were prepared under the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (FRS 102).
Overall income for the year of £6.22 million (2024/25 £7.32 million) includes £953,000 of accrued legacies, £1.27 million of membership income, and £2.51 million grant income.
Total expenditure in the year amounted to £6.09 million (2025: £5.44 million), of which 82% (2025: 80%) was expended on Dorset Wildlife Trust's direct charitable objects.
- Read Dorset Wildlife Trust's Annual Report and Financial statement for the year… (https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/2026-11/Dorset%20Wildlife%20Trust%20Annual%20Report%20and%20Financial%20Statement%20for%202025-26.pdf)
- Read DWT Services Ltd Annual Report and Financial statement for the year ended … (https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/2026-11/DWT%20Services%20Ltd%20Annual%20Report%20and%20Financial%20Statements%20for%202025-26.pdf)
The financial summary does not contain sufficient information to allow for a full understanding of the financial affairs of the charitable company. For further information, the full financial statements, the auditors' report on those financial statements and the Directors' Annual Report should be consulted. Copies of these can be obtained from Brooklands Farm, Forston, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 7AA. The Directors' Report and Financial Statements are filed annually with both the Charity Commission (Registration number 200222) and Companies House (Registration Number 688439).
