BALSTRAW LIMITED
The charity is established to foster, assist and promote the charitable activities of any institution professing and teaching the principles of traditional Judaism, to advance religion in accordance with the Jewish faith and to give philanthropic aid to the Jewish needy.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity's financial position is satisfactory, with total unrestricted reserves of £2,921,293 as of 31 March 2025. The trustees consider the free reserves of £257,918 to be adequate to support charitable institutions and cover contingencies. The charity relies on investment income, its subsidiary undertaking, and voluntary donations to fund its grant-making activities.
What the accounts disclose
“Donations received comprises an amount received from Nirlake Investments Limited, a subsidiary undertaking, of £186,000 (2024: £270,000).” — page 11
“The Trustees consider it appropriate to maintain ‘Free Reserves' (unrestricted funds not committed or invested in Fixed Asset Investments) at a level which will not impinge on its ability to support Charitable Institutions.” — page 5
“The charity's wholly-owned subsidiary undertaking, Nirlake Investments Limited, is engaged in property investment and the trustees consider its results for the year ended 31 March 2025 to be satisfactory.” — page 3
Trustees
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £216k | £474k |
| 31/03/2024 | £297k | £359k |
| 31/03/2023 | £298k | £213k |
| 31/03/2022 | £351k | £163k |
| 31/03/2021 | £236k | £258k |
Common questions
Is BALSTRAW LIMITED financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity's financial position is satisfactory, with total unrestricted reserves of £2,921,293 as of 31 March 2025. The trustees consider the free reserves of £257,918 to be adequate to support charitable institutions and cover contingencies. The charity relies on investment income, its subsidiary undertaking, and voluntary donations to fund its grant-making activities. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| EZER VIZNITZ FOUNDATION | 1 | £2.7m |
| DOVER SHOLEM COMMUNITY TRUST | 1 | £822k |
| THE TALMUD TORAH MACHZIKEI HADASS TRUST | 1 | £677k |
| BELZ FOUNDATION LTD | 1 | £621k |
| AMABRILL LTD | 1 | £394k |
| SF FOUNDATION | 1 | £360k |
| COSMON (BELZ) LIMITED | 1 | £304k |
| Grand Belz Ltd. | 1 | £282k |
Charities like this
- M AND R GROSS CHARITIES LIMITED
- BEREST CHARITIES
- THE ELSTREE SHTIEBEL TRUST
- THE BRIDGE LANE BETH HAMEDRASH
- SHULEM B. ASSOCIATION LIMITED
- BAY CHARITABLE TRUST
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BALSTRAW LIMITED | £216k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| M AND R GROSS CHARITIES LIMITED | £4.1m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| BEREST CHARITIES | £214k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE ELSTREE SHTIEBEL TRUST | £347k | — | 0 | within | — | no doubt |
| THE BRIDGE LANE BETH HAMEDRASH | £406k | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| SHULEM B. ASSOCIATION LIMITED | £5.1m | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |