The Migration Exchange publishes its third comprehensive examination of the state of charities working with refugees and migrants
The Migration Exchange (MEX) programme at Global Dialogue, a charitable organisation supporting philanthropy, has released an updated version of its comprehensive overview of the UK's refugee and migration charity sector.
The 67-page report, Strength in numbers: The UK refugee and migration sector in 2025, can be downloaded here. It is the third report by MEX examining the state of the sector, following the previous edition published in 2023.
Authors of the report are independent consultants Ruth Grove-White (formerly of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants and at Migrants Rights Network) and Mike Kaye (formerly of the Refugee Council and Still Human Still Here).
Overall, the report finds the UK's refugee and migration charitable sector is growing in scale and reach, but financial resources remain highly concentrated among a small number of large charities, and the funding outlook raises concerns about the sector’s long-term sustainability.
MEX's latest research identifies a total of 1,717 UK charities within the 'wider' refugee and migration sector, defined as organisations that include work with refugees or migrants in the UK as part of their charitable purpose. This represents a 56% increase (613 additional charities) since 2020.
Of these, 828 charities make up the 'core' sector, comprising organisations that work primarily or exclusively on refugee and migration issues in the UK and have the required resources to do so. The core sector has grown by 45% (257 more charities) since 2020.
Since 2022, the total income of the core refugee and migration charitable sector has grown by nearly £78 million, reaching almost £254 million in 2025. Despite this financial growth, MEX found the core sector remains largely composed of small organisations. Nearly two-thirds (62%) of core charities have an annual income below £100,001, with 40% having an income between £2,000 and £25,000.
Around 34% of core charities fall into the medium-sized category, with an annual income between £100,001 and £1 million. Only 3.6% of organisations qualify as large, with incomes over £1 million.
As MEX's report highlights, financial resources are highly concentrated: the 311 medium and large charities (with incomes over £100,000) control 95% of the sector's total income. The 92 charities with annual incomes exceeding £500,000 control nearly three-quarters (74%) of the sector's total resources.
While refugee and migrant charities have grown faster in Scotland and Northern Ireland, 90% of core sector charities are still located in England and Wales. Geographically, the sector is concentrated in a few regions of England. Of the 828 core charities, over half are based in just three areas: London is home to 293 charities (35%), the South East hosts 94 charities (11%), and the North West has 79 charities (10%) By contrast, Wales is home to just 26 core charities (3%).
The report also offers a comprehensive overview of funding sources and future prospects for the UK's refugee and migration charity sector. MEX notes: "The sector's dependence on a relatively small pool of independent trusts and foundations is being exacerbated by the sharp and continuing decline in funding from the UK Government for refugee and migration work." According to the report, central government grants for refugee and migration work has fallen sharply in recent years, down from £1.3 billion in 2019 to £256 million in 2022.
As part of its latest research, MEX surveyed 26 independent trusts and foundations that fund charitable work with refugees and migrants across the UK. The findings reveal a shifting funding landscape, highlighting both promising developments and concerns for the future.
Nearly half of funders reported they had increased their support for NGOs led by people with lived experience of migration. A similar proportion have also boosted their funding for small, local organisations. Over three-quarters of funders told MEX they expect funding for the sector to either increase or remain stable over the next few years.
While overall funding from trusts and foundations has grown, MEX identifies a shift toward towards a smaller number of larger grants, and a decline in the number of long-term and unrestricted grants. With just under a quarter of funders either uncertain about future funding or planning to reduce their support, MEX highlights a significant level of uncertainty for a sector that depends heavily on a core group of committed funders.
Despite efforts to increase support, the sector remains under significant strain. Demand for funding far exceeds available resources, and according to many funders, this imbalance is likely to worsen. Several survey respondents noted they are already overwhelmed by the volume of applications and lack the capacity to adequately respond.
Many funders also expressed concern about the growing influence of the far right, warning that this is likely to fuel increasingly hostile narratives towards refugees and migrants. As a result, funders anticipate rising demand for support, not only for frontline services but also from organisations advocating for systemic change.
Some funders also noted growing risks from the far right for NGOs in the sector, including increased exposure to online and in-person attacks. Some funders highlighted the need to provide additional support to help organisations manage these threats. Others voiced concerns that the hostile political climate may discourage some organisations from supporting refugee and migration causes in the future, despite growing need.
MEX's Co-Directors commented in a blog post about the report: "We live in a volatile and polarised world with rising economic uncertainty, racism, climate change and conflict. With only a small group of funders supporting our sector — and government funding declining — our future hinges on forging a broader, bolder alliance.
"This is a pivotal moment. We are many working towards a migration system built on dignity, equity and fairness. At the same time, we are pushing against a tide of divisive political narrative.
"Civil society has demonstrated our capacity for growth, adaptation and leadership. Our work shows that instead of scaremongering about the UK becoming 'an island of strangers', we can invest in growing a community of neighbours. What connects us isn't where we're from, but how we care for each other.
"It's encouraging to see funders responding with increased support and more inclusive practices. But to secure a positive future — and amplify our impact — we need to deepen collaboration and renew our commitment to the values we share, matched by collective action."