Where your money goes

Your money saves lives in so many ways

Volunteers are the lifeblood of our charity, making up the vast majority of RNLI people. They give their time for free. But giving them everything they need, and deserve, to save lives at sea is costly.

Your money helps our lifeboat crews save lives quickly, safely and effectively

There are over 5,700 volunteer crew members and over 4,000 volunteer shore crew at 238 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland. They all rely on training, kit, rescue equipment, lifeboats and lifeboat stations to save lives at sea.

Your money helps our lifeguards prevent accidents before they happen and respond instantly when they do

Working alongside our volunteer lifeboat crews every summer are over 1,600 seasonal beach lifeguards. They patrol 242 beaches across the UK and Channel Islands and rely on training, kit, rescue equipment and lifeguard units to save lives. 

Your money helps our volunteers educate, raise awareness and keep people safe

Supporting our lifeboat crews and lifeguards are thousands of community volunteers - including water safety, youth education, fundraising, shop and heritage volunteers - who rely on training and materials to raise awareness and money.

Your money helps us run a tight ship

All of our frontline volunteers are supported behind the scenes by teams of expert volunteers and staff, including engineers, boat builders, trainers, supporter carers, marketeers, press officers, IT technicians, HR advisers and more, all working as one RNLI crew to save lives at sea.

So, what percentage of donations go to charity?

For every £1/€1 donated, 81% (81p/81c) is used to fund our lifesaving activities. The remaining 19% (19p/19c) is used to generate funds so that we can continue to save lives at sea for years to come.

It cost £188M/€212M to run our lifesaving service in 2022. These running costs were divided up into the following areas:

Repair, renew, rebuild - our capital expenditure

Much of our income is used to keep our lifeboat crews ready for the next call for help. This includes constructing new lifeboats and the buildings which will house, protect and launch them. This spending is a vital investment in the future.

In 2022, our renewable energy installations saved us £118,000 and generated an income of £90,500.

What makes the RNLI one of the most efficient charities?

We make your generosity work harder

As a charity, we know only too well how much effort and thought goes in to raising every pound or euro which comes our way. And what a lifesaving difference every single pound and euro can make. That’s why we’re committed to being one of the most efficient charities by using funds in the most effective and efficient ways possible.

When you make a donation to the RNLI, 81% of your donation is spent wherever the need is greatest, unless you have donated to a specific RNLI appeal.

Being efficient with your donations will help us save every one

Every £1/€1 you donate helps to power our lifesaving service and give our volunteers all they need to save every one they can. You'll be making a difference, not only to the people we rescue and their loved ones, but to the crew and their families too. With your support, they'll be ready to save lives, right now and in the future.

See our Annual Report and Accounts and learn more about the difference your support makes.