Nuffield Hospitals has replaced the Wellcome Trust at the top of the Charity 100 Index. Wellcome had held the top spot since the Index was launched in 1996 but a drop in investment returns saw its average income over the last three years fall to £302.8 million from £319.1 million this time last year. At the same time Nuffield has seen its income increase from £150.6 million in 1996 to almost £409.7 million.
Cancer Research UK has also overtaken Wellcome Trust. Its income currently stands at £338.9 million. Elsewhere in the top 100, the Paul Hamlyn Foundation makes its first appearance at 59. It was boosted by a legacy income of £109.7 million in 2003.
Top 5: Charity 100 Index
Charity name | 3 year average |
| Nuffield Hospitals | 356,405 |
| Cancer Research UK | 308,257 |
| Wellcome Trust | 302,800 |
| National Trust | 281,117 |
| Salvation Army | 179,968 |
