World Vision UK received the largest single donation in its history last year as its total income rose for the first time since 2016.
The Christian charity, which supports vulnerable children in developing countries, received a £1.3m donation from a single donor, accounts for the year to the end of September show.
The charity said the donation was received as a one-off gift from a family trust to be used for “working to benefit children”.
The charity said that the gift helped it to support more than 135,000 people, more than 71,000 of whom were children.
World Vision’s accounts also show income grew for the first time in four years to £69.6m in 2020, up more than £7m on the previous 12 months.
The increase was driven in part by an rise in grant income of nearly £10m to £33.3m.
Total expenditure also grew for the first time since 2016, to £67.3m – up from £65m in 2019.
Spending on raising funds fell slightly to £11.3m.
The total number of staff at the charity was stable at 256, with spending on wages and salaries at more than £8.4m.
David Westwood, director of policy and programmes at World Vision UK, said: “World Vision UK cannot rely on government funding alone, especially in the current economic circumstances, where many world governments are making substantial cuts to foreign aid.
“Public generosity is a core resource for us, and one which has helped us achieve many great things for child wellbeing across the world.”