The Talisman Charitable Trust
The Talisman Charitable Trust (Charity No. 207173) is a UK-based grant-making organisation dedicated to alleviating poverty and hardship. Established in 1936, it provides financial assistance to individuals of limited means and supports charitable organisations with similar objectives[3].

Activities and focus
The trust focuses on the relief of poverty, defined to include grants for education, health, housing, disablement, and disability[3][4]. It typically awards small grants averaging £1,000, distributed through intermediary organisations such as local authorities, registered charities, or non-profit entities like Citizens Advice Bureau[3][5].

Operational structure
Applications are accepted on behalf of individuals rather than directly from them, requiring completion of consent forms available through the trust’s guidance documents[3][5]. Trustees evaluate requests according to criteria emphasizing need and adherence to the Charity Commission’s modern definition of poverty[5]. As of its 2023 financial reporting, the trust managed an annual income of £270,313 and expenditure of £243,093[2].

Governance
The charity operates with three unpaid trustees and maintains a lean operational structure without trading subsidiaries or employees receiving benefits exceeding £60,000[2][5]. Its funding prioritizes direct assistance while maintaining compliance with charitable regulations[2][3].

[1] http://www.talismancharity.org [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=207173&subid=0 [3] https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/86707 [4] https://www.through-the-maze.org.uk/organisation/talisman-charitable-trust/ [5] https://knowledgebank.bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk/Agency/Detail/127