<P> The trust is governed by a twelve - strong board of trustees, appointed and overseen by a council of twenty - six people elected by the members of the trust, and twenty - six appointed by other organisations whose work is related to that of the trust, such as the Soil Association, the Royal Horticultural Society and the Council for British Archaeology . </P> <P> The members elect half of the council of the National Trust, and periodically (most recently, in 2006) vote on the organisations which may appoint the other half of the council . Members may also propose and vote on motions at the annual general meeting, although these are advisory and do not decide the policy of the trust . </P> <P> It is the largest membership organisation in the United Kingdom, with 5.1 million members as of 2017, who enjoy free entry to open NT properties . For the year ended 28 February 2015, the trust's total income was £ 494 million, up from £ 460 million in 2013--14, making it one of the largest UK charities by income and assets . The largest sources of income were membership subscriptions (£ 161 million), direct property income (£ 145.1 million) and legacies (£ 50.5 million). In addition, the trust receives money from its commercial arm, National Trust Enterprises Ltd, which undertakes profit - making activities such as running gift shops and restaurants at NT properties . The organisation has cash and financial investments of £ 1.127 billion, a 7.5% increase on the previous year . </P> <P> The trust is one of the largest membership organisations in the world, and annual subscriptions are its most important source of income . Membership numbers have grown from 226,200 when the trust celebrated its 75th anniversary in 1970 to 500,000 in 1975, 1 million in 1981, 2 million in 1990, and by 2015, membership had reached 4.24 million . Members are entitled to free entry to trust properties that are open to the public for a charge . There is a separate organisation called the Royal Oak Foundation for American supporters . </P>

Where does the national trust get its money from
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