Charities in Bedford
There are 1,215 registered charities based in and around Bedford. 921 of them (76%) are small, with an income under £100,000 a year. The most common causes are children and young people, education, and the arts and heritage.
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What they work on
- Children and young people376
- Education320
- Arts and heritage128
- Disability121
- Poverty and hardship106
- Older people71
- Environment32
- Overseas aid24
We count a charity under a cause when its description on the register makes it clear, which is true of 793 of the 1,215. Charities are placed by their registered address, so the numbers include some national charities with an office here. Volunteers are as reported by the 682 local charities under £1 million a year that file an annual return, from the returns held in October 2026. Data from the Charity Commission register, last refreshed in June 2026.
Charities for children and young people in Bedford
5 of the 376 we found.
Bromham (Bedford) Scout Group
MK43 · Small charity, income under £100k
Scouting activities.Mental, physical and spiritual development of children and young people.
Bedford Area Schools Christian Support Trust
MK45 · Small charity, income under £100k
Presenting the Christian Faith to children and young people in schools in north and central Bedfordshire. This is done by invitation from the schools, through assemblies/lessons - R.E. & PHSE/lunchtime and after…
Restoration Revival Fellowship Apostolic Ministry Bedford
MK40 · Small charity, income under £100k
Restoration revival fellowship is a faith based charity that provides both pastoral and practical support to members of the community. as well as running life skills classes on sundays for children and young people, we…
1st Bedfordshire (The Onesters) Scout Group
MK44 · Income under £10k
Training of young people in practical skills and social responsibility under the auspices of The Scout Association
North Bedfordshire Young Farmers Club
MK44 · Small charity, income under £100k
Develop young peoples awareness and skills in agriculture, country life, home crafts and general related topics. Provide and promote the facilities for recreation and other leisure time activities which will assist in…
Education charities in Bedford
5 of the 320 we found.
The Rothsay Education Centre (Bedford) Ltd
MK40 · Income £100k to £1m
To provide educational, social and recreational needs primarily for people over 50 and not in full time employment
Bedford Islamic Education Trust
MK42 · Income £100k to £1m
Community EducationEnhancing interfaith relations
Bedford Road Primary School Parent Teacher and Friends Association
MK42 · Income under £10k
Fundraising for school by organising social events.
Clapham Pre-school (Bedford)
MK41 · Income £100k to £1m
We are providing an educational enviroment for under 5's in a local village, in the Mid Bedfordshire county. We offer parents a fully flexible choice of full day care for thier children to help parents who want to…
The Bedford High School Guild Fellowship Fund
MK43 · Small charity, income under £100k
Old girls of Bedford High School and past and current pupils of Bedford Girls' School are invited to apply for help with projects/courses of an educational nature for consideration by the Trustees. The Fellowship Fund…
Arts and heritage charities in Bedford
5 of the 128 we found.
Friends of the Higgins Art Gallery and Museum Bedford
MK40 · Income under £10k
Providing support for The Higgins Art Gallery & Museum, Bedford
Bedfordshire Orchestral Society
MK40 · Small charity, income under £100k
The Society exists primarily to promote musical education in Bedfordshire.In furtherance of this aim, the Society runs two orchestras; the Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra and the Bedford Sinfonia.The Society regularly…
Bedford Theatre Trust Limited
NN10 · Small charity, income under £100k
Provision of arts facilities
Bedfordshire Family History Society
MK40 · Small charity, income under £100k
The objectives of the BFHS are to advance the education of the public in the study of Family History. We publish a quarterly journal, hold monthly meetings (www.bfhs.org.uk), provide research, publish CDs of Beds Parish…
Bedford Players Trust
MK40 · Income £100k to £1m
Management of arts venue and promotion of the arts generally
Disability charities in Bedford
5 of the 121 we found.
The Bedford and District Society for People With Learning Disabilities
MK40 · Small charity, income under £100k
We support people with learning disabilities in the Bedford area.Also incorporated within Bedford Mencap is Sparkle Club, a weekly social club for adults with learning disabilities in Bedford.
Bedfordshire Opportunities for Learning Disabilities Ltd
MK41 · Income £100k to £1m
We provide a day care service for adults with learning disabilities in the Bedford area, offering gardening, furniture renovation, and training in independent living skills.
Open House Bedford
MK41 · Income under £10k
Open House promotes the health and well-being of people with Learning Disabilities residing permanently or temporarily in Bedford Borough, by the provision of day centre facilities for learning, social engagement and…
Bedford Disabled Horse Riding Association
PE19 · Small charity, income under £100k
The Association provides horse riding as a therapy for all age groups suffering from physical or mental disabilities. On 2 days per week at their purpose built facilities at Willington, Bedfordshire.
Embrace (Bedford and District)
MK40 · Income £100k to £1m
Embrace (formerly BDCPS) is a small charity based in Bedfordshire established since 1954. Our mission is to provide unwavering support to families living with complex disabilities, sharing our knowledge and…
Poverty and hardship charities in Bedford
5 of the 106 we found.
Bedford Foodbank
MK41 · Income £100k to £1m
Bedford Foodbank is set up to benefit people who are in financial crisis and hungry due to reasons such as family breakdown, sudden unemployment,benefits problems ( such as delays or changes), debt, or any other…
Faces Bedford
MK41 · Income £100k to £1m
FACES Bedford works with families with children up to the age of 19. Support is offered to those who find themselves experiencing difficulties, hardship and/or distress. FACES Bedford offer a range of holistic services…
Money Advice St Neots
PE19 · Small charity, income under £100k
The relief of financial hardship through the provision of debt counselling and other money advice services
Jubilation Action Group
MK42 · Small charity, income under £100k
We are a Community Food Pantry and we serve two Wards in Bedford, namely Kingsbrook Ward and Cauldwell Ward. We operate out of Scott Hall Community Centre and we serve the families in the community that are struggling…
Communities Defeating Poverty
MK45 · Income under £10k
Fundraising activities and events raising money to pay for training courses (based on a needs assessment) of local people in communities throught the world that are suffering from poverty, to teach those communities how…
Charities for older people in Bedford
5 of the 71 we found.
Bedford U3a
MK42 · Income £100k to £1m
open meetings twice a month with guest speakers. Sub groups of people with similar interests meeting at various times
Charlotte Beaty's Almshouses
MK40 · Small charity, income under £100k
To provide accommodation for older people who are in need and who are inhabitants of the parish of Newport Pagnell. Preference is given to members of the United Reformed Church in Newport Pagnell.
The St Neots & District U3a
PE19 · Small charity, income under £100k
The advancement of education and, in particular, the education of older people and those who are retired from full time work, by all means including associated activities conducive to learning and personal development,…
Sawtry History Society
PE28 · Income under £10k
Providing local (sawtry,conington, glatton and holme villages) historical information to the public, by way of meetings, presentations and exhibitions.research and recording of local history through our paper and…
Great Barford United Charities
MK44 · Income under £10k
Makes cash gifts to needy beneficiaries in Great Barford Village.
Small charities in Bedford
Most charities here are small, often a few volunteers doing good work close to home, and few of them can afford to advertise. Each of these has an income under £100,000 a year and has reported its accounts recently.
Great Paxton Recreation Ground
PE19 · Income under £10k
Maintain an area of land donated to the village for recreational use by the village and a pavilion with utilities. An adult football team and a youth football team regularly use the area. Primarily concerned with paying…
The Mothers' Union Diocese of Peterborough
NN29 · Small charity, income under £100k
All activities are grouped under communities of interest, underpinning all we do is faith and spirituality, branches and deaneries organize special services and as a diocese we provide prayer materials, organize quiet…
Great Staughton Playing Field Charitable Trust
PE19 · Income under £10k
Provision of playing field and pavilion for the village
St Neots Round Table
PE19 · Small charity, income under £100k
A christmas float travels throughout st neots during the chritsmas period raising money mainly for local causes or local, national or international community organisations and charities. a gin festival night to raise…
Woodhurst Village Hall
PE28 · Income under £10k
The management committee has the responsibility for the management of the hall for the use of inhabitants of the Parish of Woodhurst (without distinction of political, religious or other opinions) including for the use…
Leagrave Youth
NN10 · Income under £10k
Young persons disco 6 times a year with a Youth Festival each July
Westoning Lower School Pta
MK45 · Income under £10k
We are a parent teacher organisation. We fundraise to provide the children at the school extra equipment, visits from touring theatre companies etc.
The Upton Church Trust
PE28 · Income under £10k
For general use of community, maintenance of church buildings and groundsProvision of acts of worship on a regular basis to the local community
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How many charities are there in Bedford?
There are 1,215 registered charities based in and around Bedford. 921 of them (76%) are small, with an income under £100,000 a year. The figures come from the Charity Commission register for England and Wales, last refreshed in June 2026, and count charities by their registered address.
What do charities in Bedford work on?
The most common causes are children and young people (376), education (320), and the arts and heritage (128). We count a charity under a cause when its own description on the register makes that clear, which is true of 793 of the 1,215, so the real numbers are higher.
How many people volunteer for charities in Bedford?
Local charities in and around Bedford have 22,680 volunteers between them. That's what 682 charities with an income under £1 million a year told the Charity Commission in their latest annual return. Charities with an income under £10,000 don't have to report it, so the real number is higher.
How do I choose a charity in Bedford to support?
Start with what matters to you. Answer a few short questions and we'll pick the few Bedford charities that fit you best, with the reasons why. It's free, takes a couple of minutes, and we never ask for any contact details. No charity can pay to appear on your list. Start with your story.
How can I check a charity in Bedford is genuine?
Look it up on the Charity Commission register by its name or charity number. Its page there shows what it does, who its trustees are and its latest accounts. Every charity on this page links straight to its register record.
Charities in places nearby
Somewhere else, or closer to your street? Search by postcode.