As Christian giving charity Stewardship marks its 120th anniversary this year, it has reported its highest-ever level of donations and grant-making, with £161m given through the organisation during 2025 and more than a million grants distributed for the first time in its history.
Founded in 1906 as the United Kingdom Evangelisation Trust, Stewardship now supports more than 30,000 donors, helping them give to evangelical churches, charities and Christian workers to advance the Gospel.
According to Stewardship’s newly released 2025 Annual Report, donations received rose by 49% compared with the previous year, although the total includes a one-off gift of £31.6m. Excluding that donation, giving still increased by around 20%.
The charity distributed £134.1m in grants during the year, a 26% increase on 2024, supporting more than 12,000 churches, Christian charities and Christian workers across the UK and internationally.
Stewardship also reported total assets of £248m, representing a 16% annual rise.
Its donor-advised fund payout rate increased to 68%, more than double the UK sector average reported by NPT UK of 25%.
Chief executive Janie Oliver said the figures reflected more than financial growth: “Behind every number is a story: a church worker sustained, a community outreach strengthened, a charity equipped, a family supported.
“We hope that the stories of impact included in our annual report will give you a better understanding of the breadth and depth of the kingdom work that we are privileged to support as part of our mission, helping Christians be the best stewards of the resources God gives them. Integral to that mission is how we help to equip, grow, and strengthen ministry partners through our professional services.”
She thanked the charity's donors, supporters and partners, saying the impact highlighted throughout the annual report had been made possible by their faith, confidence and generosity in Stewardship's management of their resources.
“We give thanks to God for all that we've achieved together. And we look ahead with hope to all that is still to come,” she added.
In his foreword to the report, chairman of trustees Chris Gillies described 2025 as a year of “wonderful growth in generosity”.
Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 3, he said that while donors, staff and ministry partners had all played their part, “the truth is that without God we would not have achieved such amazing results.”
Alongside increased charitable giving, Stewardship reported growth across several of its professional services for churches and charities. Revenue from these services rose to £1.5m, while revenue from its Payroll Bureau increased by 9% to £600,000 and its Accounts Examination Service grew by 4% to £700,000, expanding to a record 527 clients.
The organisation recorded investment gains of £5.9m and said almost a third of its assets are now invested in projects aligned with its Kingdom Impact Bull's Eye Investment Approach, which seeks to equalise financial returns with social and Christian ministry impact.
The report highlighted several initiatives launched or expanded during 2025, including the introduction of the Stewardship Giving app on both iOS and Android, the launch of its ‘Active Generosity’ podcast, and the revival of ‘40acts,’ its annual Lent generosity campaign, which attracted more than 43,000 participants and generated around £300,000 in one-off gifts.
Stewardship also welcomed nearly 900 new church, charity and Christian worker partners during the year and said its annual ‘Generosity Report’ has continued to grow in influence, with a 50% larger research sample providing more detailed insight into Christian giving across the UK.
Trustees said that Stewardship remains financially stable and has sufficient resources to continue operating for the foreseeable future. The charity also reported an average Customer Service Satisfaction (CSAT) score of 95% during 2025.
