The Talisman Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £286,423 (2024)
• Total Income: £330,461 (FY 2025)
• Success Rate: 19.8% (220 grants from 1,179 applications in 2024)
• Decision Time: Up to 4 weeks
• Grant Range: Approximately £500 - £2,000 (average £1,224)
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales
• Number of Trustees: 3 (all unpaid volunteers)

Contact Details

• Website: www.talismancharity.org
• Phone: 020 7820 0254
• Charity Number: 207173

Applications must be made through intermediary organizations (local authorities, Citizens' Advice, or other charities) on behalf of individuals in need.

Overview

The Talisman Charitable Trust was established in 1936 by Baron Frederic Allred d'Erlanger, who made his fortune in South African railroads and South American department stores. Operating under a scheme made by the Charity Commissioner dated 22nd August 2000, the Trust has been providing poverty relief grants for nearly 90 years. The charity is run entirely by three volunteer trustees with no paid staff.

In the year ending April 2024, the Trust distributed £286,423 through 220 grants to individuals and 14 grants to charitable organizations, from 1,179 applications received. With an average grant of £1,224, the Trust focuses on assisting individuals of “small means” who may be described as “going short.” The Trust's mission centers on reducing poverty and hardship throughout the UK by providing one-off grants for essential needs related to education, health, housing, and disability.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Individual Hardship Grants: £500 - £2,000 (average £1,224)

• Applications accepted on a rolling basis
• One-off grants to prevent or relieve poverty
• Must be applied for on behalf of individuals by intermediary organizations
• First-come-first-served processing

Priority Areas

The Trust considers “relief of poverty” to include grants for:

• Education: Educational needs for individuals facing financial hardship
• Health: Medical equipment, treatment costs, and health-related expenses
• Housing: Essential household items, repairs, or housing-related costs
• Disablement/Disability: Equipment, adaptations, and support for disabled individuals

The Trust specifically targets individuals who the trustees consider to be deserving and “going short” - those of small means who are experiencing genuine hardship.

What They Don't Fund

• Replacement of state benefits: All grants are made on the understanding that they will not replace any state benefit to which the beneficiary may be entitled
• Applicants who haven't explored government funding: The Trust expects applicants to have first considered government funding such as the Hardship Fund where available
• Direct applications from individuals: Applications must come through intermediary organizations

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by three unpaid volunteer trustees who review all applications. No trustees receive any remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The names of current trustees are not publicly disclosed on the Trust's website, though this information is available through the Charity Commission register.

The entirely voluntary structure means the Trust operates with minimal overhead, directing maximum resources toward grant-making. However, it also means the trustees have limited capacity to discuss applications with callers or provide detailed feedback on unsuccessful applications.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted by an intermediary organization (local authority, Citizens' Advice Bureau, or another charitable organization) on official letterhead. Individuals cannot apply directly.

Application Requirements:

1. Send a letter on organization letterhead explaining who needs the grant
2. Include the full name and address of the beneficiary
3. Provide an estimate of the funds required
4. Include organization's payment details
5. List other charities approached (if any)
6. Include a signed consent form (available on website) allowing the Trust to handle personal data, OR carefully anonymize all client data and mark envelope “ANON”

Critical: Without a consent form or proper anonymization, applications will be destroyed for data security reasons.

Decision Timeline

• Processing time: Up to 4 weeks from receipt of application
• Notification method: The Trust only responds if making a payment
• If unsuccessful: No notification will be sent - if you haven't heard within 4 weeks, the application was unsuccessful

Success Rates

Based on 2024 data:

• Applications received: 1,179
• Grants awarded: 234 (220 to individuals, 14 to charitable organizations)
• Success rate: 19.8%
• Total distributed: £286,423

This relatively low success rate reflects high demand and limited resources. Approximately 4 out of 5 applications are unsuccessful.

Reapplication Policy

The Trust does not specify a waiting period for reapplication after an unsuccessful attempt. However, they advise unsuccessful applicants to carefully review their “How to Apply” page to ensure future applications are written in the most helpful way for trustees to assess.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's guidance and structure, the following factors increase likelihood of success:

1. Demonstrate Genuine Poverty Relief

The Trust specifically states they assist individuals who are “going short” - those of small means facing genuine hardship. Applications must clearly demonstrate the beneficiary is experiencing poverty that the grant would meaningfully alleviate.

2. Prove State Benefits Have Been Explored

The Trust explicitly states applicants should have “first considered government funding such as the Hardship Fund where available.” Applications should document what state benefits or government funding have been explored or accessed, and why these are insufficient.

3. Submit Complete Applications with Proper Consent

Applications without proper consent forms or anonymization will be destroyed. This is a strict requirement for data protection compliance.

4. Apply Through Credible Intermediaries

Applications from local authorities, Citizens' Advice Bureaux, and established charities likely carry more weight than those from lesser-known organizations. The intermediary's assessment of need matters.

5. Be Specific About Amount and Purpose

The Trust requests “a clear indication of the amount needed by the beneficiary.” Vague or inflated requests are less likely to succeed than specific, justified amounts for essential needs.

6. Keep Applications Concise and Clear

With three volunteer trustees reviewing over 1,000 applications annually, clarity and brevity help. Applications should be straightforward letters explaining the need, not lengthy reports.

7. Focus on One-Off Needs

The Trust provides one-off grants, not ongoing support. Applications for discrete, time-limited needs (specific equipment, particular costs) are more appropriate than requests for ongoing assistance.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Success is competitive: With only a 20% success rate, apply only for beneficiaries with clear, demonstrable poverty and genuine need that aligns with the Trust's priorities
• Process matters: Missing consent forms or incomplete applications will be rejected outright - attention to administrative detail is critical
• Timing is uncertain: With rolling applications and up to 4 weeks processing time, don't rely on this for time-critical needs
• No feedback on rejections: You won't receive notification or explanation if unsuccessful - use rejection as a signal to reassess the application approach for future submissions
• State benefits first: Document that government funding has been explored - the Trust sees itself as a last resort, not a first stop
• Keep it simple: A clear, concise letter on letterhead explaining the need and amount is sufficient - the Trust doesn't require complex applications
• Play the numbers carefully: With only 234 grants awarded from nearly 1,200 applications, be strategic about which clients you put forward to maximize chances of success

References

1. The Talisman Charitable Trust official website - www.talismancharity.org
2. Charity Commission Register of Charities - Charity number 207173, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=207173&subid=0
3. Bath and North East Somerset Council - The Talisman Charitable Trust profile, https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/86707
4. Turn2us Grants Search - The Talisman Charitable Trust entry
5. Financial data: Charity Commission records for financial year ending 05 April 2025
6. Historical data: Trust Deed dated 4th August 1936; Charity Commissioner scheme dated 22nd August 2000