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Why does a well-known charity have a lower score than a small one?

In short: The Clarity Score rewards clear, timely, complete reporting — not size or fame. Large charities often score in the 70s because they run shops, fundraise heavily from the public and carry complex accounts, while a small charity with simple finances and punctual filings can score higher. A lower score is not an accusation; it reflects what the filings show.

Data from CharityCompare editorial, last updated .

Fame and size earn no points. The score rewards clear, timely, complete reporting, so a large household-name charity can sit in the 70s while a small local charity scores in the 90s.

Common reasons a big charity scores lower:

  • Complex accounts. Trading subsidiaries, shops and multiple funds are harder to report cleanly.
  • Public fundraising. Charities relying on donations rather than grants spend more to raise each pound, which reduces the Financial Efficiency component.
  • Large reserves. Held for good reasons, but they cost points when far above the charity’s own stated policy without explanation.

A lower score is not an accusation of wrongdoing. It describes what the filings show, and every profile links to the register entry so you can check the source yourself.

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