Finance Score: 3

Governance Score: 3

Support Score: 4

Strong growth: +2
Multiple Deficits: -2
Fundraising costs low: +3
No PartB

Good trustee age range: +3

Grant maker support: +4

Overall GiG Score: 10

THISTLE FOUNDATION

Analysis by Giving is Great

Positives:

The charity has received backing from multiple prominent grant makers recently
There has been strong growth in spending over the last 5 years
Fundraising costs are unusually low relative to funds raised
The Board appears to be well diversified in terms of age
This charity is based in an area of high deprivation

Financial issues to consider:

On several occasions in recent years income has been less than spending

Established: 47 years
(77 years as a company)

www.thistle.org.uk

Financial Data

Income & Spending ?

Period ending	31/03/18	31/03/19	31/03/20	31/03/21	31/03/22	31/03/23
Charitable activities	£3,501,992	£4,407,456	£4,782,199	£5,920,399		£6,369,247
Donations & Legacies		£74,158	£35,103	£70,000
Other Income		£60,337	£49,720
Investment Income	£239,282	£208,774	£220,504	£149,096		£110,226
Total income	£3,741,274	£4,750,725	£5,087,526	£6,139,495	£5,893,060	£6,479,473
Charitable activities spending	£4,247,136	£4,720,886	£5,347,018	£6,098,936		£8,241,205
Fundraising costs	1%	1%	1%	0%	0%	0%
Other spending	£200,000	£85,842
Total spending	£4,470,687	£4,835,529	£5,375,609	£6,126,781	£7,236,360	£8,263,255
Surplus/deficit	-£729,413	-£84,804	-£288,083	£12,714	-£1,343,300	-£1,783,782

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Listed activities

It makes grants, donations or gifts to organisations
It carries out activities or services itself

Purposes

The advancement of education
The advancement of health
The advancement of citizenship or community development','the provision of recreational facilities, or the organisation of recreational activities, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended','the relief of those in need by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage

Where it operates

More than one local authority area in Scotland, main operating location: City of Edinburgh

This charity is based in an area of high deprivation

Who it helps

People with disabilities or health problems

Who's supporting them? ?

Donations from Grant Makers ?

We have details on the following significant donations. Multi-year donations are allocated to the years for which they are earmarked.

Specific Donations

Amount	When Months	To be used for
Foundation Scotland - Grant to Thistle Foundation
£279	08/11/2023	Donation from Glebefoot Fund
Foundation Scotland - Grant to Thistle Foundation
£241	23/11/2022	Donation from Glebefoot Fund
Foundation Scotland - Grant to Thistle Foundation
£306	04/11/2021	Annual donation from the Glebefoot Charitable Trust
Foundation Scotland - Grant to Thistle Foundation
£1,000	20/09/2021	General charitable donation from Jean Munro
Foundation Scotland - Grant to Thistle Foundation
£294	12/11/2020	Annual donation from the Glebefoot Charitable Trust
Foundation Scotland - Grant to Thistle Foundation
£1,000	01/10/2020	General charitable donation from Jean Munro
Scottish Government - Thistle Foundation
£75,000	21/05/2020	Detailed description not provided.
RS Macdonald Charitable Trust - Self Management of Neurological Conditions II
£30,540	31/05/2017	Supporting people with neurological conditions by finding the tools to cope with their condition and manage life better. People can progress at their own pace and access services in a ....more Supporting people with neurological conditions by finding the tools to cope with their condition and manage life better. People can progress at their own pace and access services in a non-prescriptive way.
RS Macdonald Charitable Trust - Self Management of Neurological Conditions
£21,102	27/05/2015	To support people with neurological conditions by finding the tools to cope with their condition and manage life better. This is done by providing a range of health and wellbeing 'supports' where ....more To support people with neurological conditions by finding the tools to cope with their condition and manage life better. This is done by providing a range of health and wellbeing 'supports' where people can progress at their own pace and access services in a flexible, non-prescriptive way, complementing 'statutory' support they may receive.

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Data sourced from Donors via 360 Giving

How is it governed?

Directors (8)

Current Directors appointed

Gender Split

Based on 7/8 persons

Age Range of Directors: 46-75

BRUCE, Christopher Andrew
Appointed: 2017
Occupation: Retired

FEMI-OLEKANMA, Pedetin, Mrs.
Appointed: 2023
Occupation: Nursing

FERGUSON, Nigel Murray
Appointed: 2019
Occupation: Retired

HEBSON, John Ernest Birrell
Appointed: 2019
Occupation: Retired

HOOLAHAN, Mark
Appointed: 2019
Occupation: Chief Executive

KONG, Deborah Ann
Appointed: 2014
Occupation: Retired

WILLIAMS, Ian
Appointed: 2012
Occupation: Project Development Lead

WILSON, Gillian Patricia
Appointed: 2022
Occupation: Nurse

Legal constitution

Charity registered in Scotland on 16/11/1976, number: SC016816
Registered at Companies House on 01/08/1946, number: SC024409

Filing Record

5 returns made; all on time

Main office

13 Queen's Walk, Edinburgh, EH16 4EA

Objectives

The company's objects are:- 1 To relieve those who are in need, of all ages, by reason of disability, long term health condition, poverty or other disadvantage through providing support with the aim of assisting such individuals to lead fulfilled lives over which they have control. 2 To advance health including the prevention or relief of ill health, disabilities and/or long term conditions. 3 To advance education, training and research in the development of individual capacities , skills and understanding as these relate to living with or providing care and support for people with disabilities or health conditions . 4 To provide recreational facilities and organise recreational activities with the object of improving the conditions of life of individuals who are in need by reason of disability, long term health condition, poverty or other disadvantage. 5 To advance citizenship and community development with a view to:- 5.1 individuals who are disabled or who have a long term health condition playing a full part in civic life and making a contribution to society. 5.2 communities developing capacity to foster, and benefit from, the contribution of people with disabilities or long term health conditions. 6 To promote equality and diversity. 7 To promote, establish, operate and/or support other similar schemes and projects which further charitable purposes.

Data Sources