About BHF
BHF annual report shows significant rise in funding for lifesaving research
Today we published our Annual Report and Accounts for 2023-24, which tells the story of how, in the face of significant challenges, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has continued to power lifesaving cardiovascular research, to save and improve more lives.
Amidst a cost-of-living crisis and external pressures, our generous supporters helped raise £180.4m (net of retail costs). That figure includes £101.4m raised through the generous gifts left in people’s Wills, £47.7m through our fundraising activities, and £18.8in profit from our shops, stores and online sales.
Thanks to the efforts of so many, the net income available for charitable purposes for 2023-24 was £138.4m, representing 77 per cent of total income (net of retail costs).
An incredible £116.7m of our income has been awarded to new research grants so that we can continue our mission to make science fiction a reality for millions of people in the UK affected by heart and circulatory diseases. We now have over £430m of BHF-funded research in progress.
Never more needed
In 2023-24, our mission has been more important than ever. We’re in the grip of a heart care crisis - after decades of progress in saving lives, we’re seeing increasing numbers of people die from heart and circulatory diseases before they reach their 75th birthday. Spiralling waiting lists for vital heart tests and treatments are putting lives at risk and creating untold anxiety for thousands of families.
As a charity, we’ve risen to these challenges to provide a lifeline of support and hope to millions of families in need. We’ve funded bold new research initiatives that hold the promise for new treatments and cures.
We’ve taught thousands of people the skills to save a life. And we’ve continued to push Government to prioritise heart care. This has only been possible thanks to our incredible team of supporters, colleagues, and volunteers – all determined to see rapid progress in tackling the world’s biggest killers.
Not a moment to waste
Reflecting on the year, our Chief Executive Dr Charmaine Griffiths said: “With spiralling waiting times and continuing pressures on the NHS, we are in the grip of a heart care crisis. Our hearts need and deserve more and there is not a moment to waste.
"But at a time when heart and circulatory diseases remain the world’s biggest killer, I’m so proud see more than £430m of BHF-funded research in progress, and watch our brilliant researchers working to make science fiction a reality, to give millions of people across the UK more time with their loved ones.
“None of our breakthroughs would be possible without our dedicated colleagues, volunteers, researchers, fundraisers and partners, and I could not be prouder of the work we do together, every day, to save and improve lives. It truly has never been more needed.”
A position of strength
We look to the future from a position of strength and with a sense of optimism for what we can achieve. We stand on the cusp of revolutionary advances in areas such as artificial intelligence, genomics, and regenerative medicine. It’s now up to us to inspire the support needed to capitalise on these groundbreaking areas of science to rapidly make the breakthroughs millions of people desperately need.
The year ahead will also see us review and refresh our organisational strategy, to ensure we’re focusing on the things that will make the biggest impact for people affected by heart and circulatory diseases. We’ll undertake this review in response to the significant changes to the world we’re operating in – including those accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, the huge pressures being faced by our NHS, and the rapidly evolving world of charity fundraising.
We have been there for millions of families in urgent need of support and breakthroughs in 2023-24. But there is far more to do to achieve our vision of a world free from the fear of heart and circulatory diseases. We won’t stop until we get there.