THE TDS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
The TDS Charitable Foundation exists to raise standards in the private rented sector (mainly through the promotion of education in rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants) and to promote the wider use of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms to deal with tenant and landlord disputes.
Financial health, per its FY2026 accounts
The accounts state that the charity holds unrestricted reserves of £159,288, which is significantly below its stated policy target of retaining a nominal reserve of £10,000, although the trustees note this is due to commitments for projects where funds have been awarded but not yet fully expended. The charity reported a net expenditure of £420,167 for the year, resulting in a decrease in total funds from £579,455 to £159,288. The trustees confirm that sufficient cash reserves exist to continue operations for at least 12 months from the date of signing.
What the accounts disclose
“The TDS Charitable Foundation received funding of £360,000 from The Dispute Service Limited in the year to 31 March 2026.” — page 8
“The Board considers that its objective is to spend its income on grants so that it aims to retain a nominal reserve of £10,000 at any one time to meet its on-going expenses.” — page 8
“The Dispute Service Limited is a substantial donor to The TDS Charitable Foundation. During the year they donated £379,935 (2025: £456,748). Two trustees (Nicky Wharton and Stephen Harriott) of The TDS Charitable Foundation are also key management personnel of The Dispute Service Limited.” — page 17
Trustees
- Barbara Nicolette Alvey
- Nicola Jane Downer Wharton
- Paula Noelle Quigley
- Shahad Choudhury
- Stephen Harriott
- Susan Threader
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2026 | £394k | £814k |
| 31/03/2025 | £469k | £671k |
| 31/03/2024 | £235k | £146k |
| 31/03/2023 | £440k | £96k |
| 31/03/2022 | £100k | £32k |
Common questions
Is THE TDS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION financially healthy?
Per its FY2026 accounts: The accounts state that the charity holds unrestricted reserves of £159,288, which is significantly below its stated policy target of retaining a nominal reserve of £10,000, although the trustees note this is due to commitments for projects where funds have been awarded but not yet fully expended. The charity reported a net expenditure of £420,167 for the year, resulting in a decrease in total funds from £579,455 to £159,288. The trustees confirm that sufficient cash reserves exist to continue operations for at least 12 months from the date of signing. Its FY2026 accounts were independently examined.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE EDWARD GOSTLING FOUNDATION | 1 | £10k |
| THE ESFANDI CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £3k |
Charities like this
- RPD FOUNDATION
- THE TEESSIDE FAMILY FOUNDATION
- THE CHANDRIS FOUNDATION
- THE TITSEY FOUNDATION CIO
- THE TIDES FOUNDATION
- TEES VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE TDS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | £394k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| RPD FOUNDATION | £110k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| THE TEESSIDE FAMILY FOUNDATION | £260k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE CHANDRIS FOUNDATION | £3.3m | £150,000 - £200,000 | 10 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE TITSEY FOUNDATION CIO | £1.5m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE TIDES FOUNDATION | £102k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |