Transport Benevolent Fund (CIO)
Analysis
Transport Benevolent Fund (CIO) is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in March 2015, 11 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes and the prevention or relief of poverty, which this site groups under poverty relief. Legally it is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). It says it makes grants to individuals.
In the financial year ending March 2026, Transport Benevolent Fund (CIO) reported income of £5.5m and spending of £5.7m, spending 104% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2022 to March 2026, income grew from £5.1m to £5.5m (+7.3%), an average of +1.8% a year. Over the whole period it spent 95% of the income it received.
Among 15,276 England and Wales charities whose main cause is poverty relief and that reported income, Transport Benevolent Fund (CIO) sits at the 99th percentile: it is larger than about 99% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 98th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Women's Aid Federation of England (£5.5m), Start Upright (£5.5m) and The Union of the Sisters of Mercy of Great Britain (£5.5m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 98% and investments 2.4%. Charitable activities took 78% of spending and raising funds 22%. Reserves of £6.0m would cover about 13 months of spending at that rate. It employed 26 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 98%
- Investments 2.4%
In the charity's own words
TO RELIEVE NEED, HARDSHIP OR DISTRESS AMONG THOSE ENGAGED IN THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT INDUSTRY WITHIN GREAT BRITAIN (OR WHO HAVE BEEN SO ENGAGED), ALONG WITH THEIR DEPENDANTS.TBF IS A MEMBERSHIP CHARITY AND MOST BENEFITS ARE RESTRICTED TO THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTE TO IT. THE MAIN EXCEPTION IS THAT THOSE NOMINATED BY TRANSPORT FOR LONDON MAY BE HELPED FROM A SEPARATE TFL STAFF WELFARE FUND.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Women's Aid Federation of England | Avon | £5.5m |
| Start Upright | London | £5.5m |
| The Union of the Sisters of Mercy of Great Britain | London | £5.5m |
| Teresa Ball International Solidarity Fund | Dublin 14 | £5.6m |