2025-03-31-accounts - The Friends Of The French Institute

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REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1069116

TRUSTEES' REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

FOR

THE FRIENDS OF THE FRENCH INSTITUTE

Anandan Cullen & Co Limited The Old School House 6 Havelock Place Harrow HA1 1LJ

THE FRIENDS OF THE FRENCH INSTITUTE

CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

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Trustees' Report 1 to 5
Independent Examiner's Report 6
Statement of Financial Activities 7
Balance Sheet 8
Cash Flow Statement 9
Notes to the Cash Flow Statement 10
Notes to the Financial Statements 11 to 15
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 16
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THE FRIENDS OF THE FRENCH INSTITUTE

TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The Friends of the French Institute was established in 1998 to support the activities and the development of the Institut français du Royaume-Uni (French Institute), which was founded in 1910 and which ambition is to promote French language and culture in the United Kingdom and to advance and to celebrate Franco- British cooperation in the fields of education and culture.

The French Institute in the United Kingdom attracts more than 100,000 visitors/year, organizes more than 2,000 screenings in its two Cinemas which welcomed this year over 60,000 spectators. The Ciné Lumière represents a strategic instrument for the promotion and international visibility of French and Francophone cinema and, more broadly, of French culture, notably through the French Film Festival London. Throughout the year, the cinema’s carefully curated programme of recent international releases reinforces this mission while also positioning the Institute within a wider international cinematic landscape. Furthermore, the hosting of more than a dozen international festivals annually allows the Institute to reach a particularly diverse audience, encompassing both British and international communities.

The French Institute maintains two libraries open to the public, runs bilateral funds to support exchanges and cooperation in the fields of visual arts (Fluxus and Magnetic) and contemporary music (Diaphonique) and organized many cultural events and festivals throughout the year. It has developed projects and activities geared toward younger audiences, including "a la carte" programs for British schools.

Many of the spaces and the equipment of the French Institute have been renovated (and in some instances created) with the support of the Friends of the French Institute, who also fund cultural programming and projects.

The Friends of the French Institute organize regular fundraising campaigns to fund renovation, cultural and educational projects aimed at promoting French language and culture and at advancing Franco-British cooperation and friendship.

Fundraising activities include the management of the Patrons’ Circle, created by the Friends of the French Institute Trust in 2017, and by bringing together a community of committed individuals and businesses.

The trust also focuses on developing its Corporate Circle with an objective of maintaining relationships with businesses on a regular basis.

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

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TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

THE FRIENDS OF THE FRENCH INSTITUTE

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Throughout the year, the Friends of the French Institute have lent their support to several cultural activities in various fields:

a) Music

They have supported the 15th edition of Diaphonique, the Franco-British-Irish fund for contemporary music, which is also supported by the SACEM, the British Council, the French National Centre of Music, Culture Ireland, the Francis and Mica Salabert foundation and the Institut Français in France. Since its creation, and the recent support of Creative Ireland, Diaphonique has supported 129 projects from French British and Irish organisations showcasing the works of composers from all three nations. https://www.diaphonique.org/

They have also supported the 7th edition of Les Salons en Musique - a music program launched in June 2018 to celebrate the restoration of its 1907 Pleyel piano, a compendium of French world-renowned Chamber Music performers. This year, contemporary music remained an important focus of this flagship series, while an international theme was present all year long to celebrate the Olympic spirit and heritage during the 2024 Cultural Olympiad.

Concerts included:

Diaphonique concert with Layale Chaker (April 2024), Revisited Anthems by the Montreuil Orchestra (May 2024), Living Memories with Ensemble Sequenza 9.3 (June 2024), Recital with Axelle Saint-Cirel (September 2024), Korabaro? with Céline Scheen, Mamadou Dramé et Karim Baggili (November 2024), Shapes of Silence by Aleph Quintet and Baroque Music Concert with Ensemble Sarbacanes in collaboration with the Centre de Musique Baroque de Versailles (March 2025).

b) Literature

The Trust has also supported various festivals:

South Ken Kids Festival (27th edition) - an occasion to celebrate children's writing, illustration, translation, with a selection of writers and illustrators from both sides of the Channel. For the 27th edition the festival hosted a wide range of renowned authors and illustrators including Axel Scheffler, Joëlle Jolivet, Joseph Coelho, Timothée de Fombelle, Marie-Aude Murail and Posy Simmonds, who took part in workshops, talks, live drawing, storytelling, films, concerts and book signings at the Institut français. The festival was linked to the first edition of the Entente Littéraire Prize which was awarded by HM The Queen Consort and Mrs Brigitte Macron a week later. Public highlights included a live drawing performance, a large Impro! drawing-and-music jam, and a special concert appearance by Paddington Bear. School workshops took place during the week, with several of them being financed for schools in deprived areas, thanks to the generous donation by the Bressler Foundation.
Beyond Words - an annual festival of live French literature organized by the French Institute in London and across the country which features literary conversations with some of the most exciting French and English-language writers, recent film adaptations, and musical performances. The 2024 edition took place from 9th to 19th May 2024, with a strong line-up including authors Marion Brunet, Professor Lina Khatib, Anne Berest and more.
Night of Ideas - Launched by the French Institute in 2016, the Night of Ideas is a project staged in Paris, London and worldwide. In 2025, the London edition of the Night of Ideas was held on February 6. Bringing together French, British, and European perspectives under the theme "Taking action," the Night of Ideas prompted discussions on contemporary issues such as geopolitics, activism, artists and war and female journalists and disinformation. Thomas Jolly and Alexander Zeldin were guests of honour and key speakers included Catherine Colonna (former Ambassador to the UK and former Foreign Minister), Anand Menon, Marie-Doha Besancenot and Julia Black.

c) French language Centre

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THE FRIENDS OF THE FRENCH INSTITUTE

TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The Trust continued to work hard to secure the necessary funding for the renovation project of the French Institute's Language Centre. The Language Centre renovation project is the most ambitious property project financed by the Trust since its creation. The aim of the project is to renovate the centre's premises and make it accessible. This project is essential to enhance the appeal of the centre, which welcomes more than 4,700 students each year. It represents a major financial challenge for the French Institute, as the Language Centre generates most of its own resources. Renovating the Language Centre in London will enable the French Institute to continue its cultural and linguistic activities and missions in the long term.

PATRONS’ CIRCLE

To meet their fundraising objectives and extend the French Institute’s circle of supporters, the Trust recruit each year a number of Patrons, who sign up for a two-year membership. This year the Patrons’ Circle counted 35 Patrons. Patrons benefit from access to a wide range of special cultural events.

CORPORATE CIRCLE

This year, the trust continued to promote the Corporate Circle, launched in 2022 aiming at recruiting businesses to support the French Institute’s projects and activities, in particular Confluence.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

During the financial period April 2024 - March 2025, the Friends of the French Institute Trust has raised £395,000 and obtained an extra £23,750 from the Gift Aid, and £28,854.84 from deposit interest, or a total of £447,604.84.

The Friends of the French Institute Trust has financed the following projects: cultural projects £86,713.50; Confluence renovation project £4,860.00; Diaphonique project £62,511.00; Salons en musique project £38,971.00.

Operating costs amounted to £104,694.68.

The total amount of cash at bank on the 31 March 2025 was £1,294,992.12.

It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level of approximately £200,000. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity's current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document

The charity's governing document is a declaration of trust made on the 5th February 1998 modified on 17th March 2010, 9th May 2011, 23rd May 2014, 8th October 2014 and 29th September 2022.

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THE FRIENDS OF THE FRENCH INSTITUTE

TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

The charity is an unincorporated body first registered on 15 April 1998.

Under these Regulations, the charity has constituted as sub-committees of the trustees an Administrative Committee.

The body of trustees consists of not less than seven persons, of whom one holds office ex-officio and the remainder are co-opted. The ex-officio trustee is the French Cultural Counsellor to the United Kingdom. Co-opted trustees are appointed for a term of four years by deed of all the trustees subject to acceptance of office. In the period, the total number of trustees reached 12, of whom three are British nationals and nine French nationals.

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||| |---|---| |NAME|NOMINATION DATES| |Mrs S Bressler|Appointed trustee on May 13, 2019| |Mr V Gombault|Appointed trustee on January 18, 2016| |Appointed chairman on July 11, 2022| |Mr T Groell|Appointed trustee on May 9, 2011| |Sir J Holmes|Appointed trustee on November 9, 2020| |Mr X Mayer|Appointed trustee on July 2, 2012| |Mrs H de Mitry|Appointed trustee on 11 September 2023| |Mrs A Morel|Appointed trustee ex officio on February 1, 2024| |Mr M Mourre|Appointed trustee on November 26, 2007| |Mr E Reed|Appointed trustee on May 9, 2011| |Mrs C Ripert-Landler|Appointed trustee on March 8, 2021| |Sir J Scarlett|Appointed trustee on July 2, 2012| |Mr B Verbrugghe|Appointed trustee on November 9, 2020|

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MEETINGS AND COMMITEES

The Trustees meet 6 times in the year at Board meetings, during which Trustees discuss the Friends of the French Institute’s objectives and take decisions regarding the fundraising activities and strategy.

In parallel to board meetings, administrative committees meeting take place, with an objective of facilitating Board members’ decision-making processes: during this committee meeting members address all finance related topics. The Committee reports (and makes recommendations) to the Board.

Administrative committee members include:

Vincent Gombault (Chairman) - Thierry Groell - Marc Mourre - Edward Reed - Claudine Ripert-Landler - Sir John Scarlett - Anissia Morel

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number

1069116

Principal address

17 Queensberry Place London SW7 2DT

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THE FRIENDS OF THE FRENCH INSTITUTE

TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Trustees

Mr M Mourre Mr X Mayer Mr E N Reed Sir J Scarlett Mr T Groell Mr V Gombault Mrs C Ripert-Landler Mrs S Bressler Sir J Holmes Mr B Verbrugghe Mrs M H d M de Mitry Mrs A Morel

Independent Examiner

Anandan Cullen & Co Limited The Old School House 6 Havelock Place Harrow HA1 1LJ

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 16 December 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

Mr V Gombault - Trustee

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE FRIENDS OF THE FRENCH INSTITUTE

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Friends of the French Institute

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Friends of the French Institute (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Suganya Paraneetharan

Anandan Cullen & Co Limited The Old School House 6 Havelock Place Harrow HA1 1LJ

16 December 2025

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THE FRIENDS OF THE FRENCH INSTITUTE

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Notes INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 2 Investment income 3 Other income Total EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 4 Charitable activities 5 Grants Provided Other Total NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD	Unrestricted fund £ 260,000 28,855 23,750 312,605 100,404 86,714 4,440 191,558 121,047 550,617 671,664	Restricted fund £ 135,000 - - 135,000 - 106,342 - 106,342 28,658 590,230 618,888	2025 Total funds £ 395,000 28,855 23,750 447,605 100,404 193,056 4,440 297,900 149,705 1,140,847 1,290,552	2024 Total funds £ 250,001 6,555 20,000 276,556 84,223 276,151 4,110 364,484 (87,928) 1,228,775 1,140,847

The notes form part of these financial statements

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THE FRIENDS OF THE FRENCH INSTITUTE

BALANCE SHEET 31 MARCH 2025

Notes CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 10 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS FUNDS 11 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds TOTAL FUNDS	Unrestricted fund £ 676,104 (4,440) 671,664 671,664 671,664	Restricted fund £ 618,888 - 618,888 618,888 618,888	2025 Total funds £ 1,294,992 (4,440) 1,290,552 1,290,552 1,290,552 671,664 618,888 1,290,552	2024 Total funds £ 1,148,137 (7,290) 1,140,847 1,140,847 1,140,847 550,617 590,230 1,140,847

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 16 December 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

Mr V Gombault - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

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THE FRIENDS OF THE FRENCH INSTITUTE

CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Notes Cash flows from operating activities Cash generated from operations 1 Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Interest received Net cash provided by investing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period	2025 £ 118,000 118,000 28,855 28,855 146,855 1,148,137 1,294,992	2024 £ (123,792) (123,792) 6,555 6,555 (117,237) 1,265,374 1,148,137

The notes form part of these financial statements

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THE FRIENDS OF THE FRENCH INSTITUTE

NOTES TO THE CASH FLOW STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1. RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) TO NET CASH ACTIVITIES Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period (as per the Statement of Financial Activities) Adjustments for: Interest received Decrease in creditors	FLOW FROM OPERATING 2025 2024 £ £ 149,705 (87,928) (28,855) (6,555) (2,850) (29,309)
Net cash provided by/(used in) operations	118,000 (123,792)
2. ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS At 1/4/24 £ Net cash Cash at bank 1,148,137	Cash flow At 31/3/25 £ £ 146,855 1,294,992
1,148,137	146,855 1,294,992
Total 1,148,137	146,855 1,294,992

The notes form part of these financial statements

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THE FRIENDS OF THE FRENCH INSTITUTE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

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|||| |---|---|---| |2025|2024| |£|£| |Donations|395,000|250,001|

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THE FRIENDS OF THE FRENCH INSTITUTE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

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3. INVESTMENT INCOME
2025 2024
£ £
Deposit account interest 28,855 6,555
4. RAISING FUNDS
Other trading activities
2025 2024
£ £
Fund Raising Cost 100,404 84,223
5. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS
Grant
funding of
activities
(see note
6)
£
Grants Provided 193,056
6. GRANTS PAYABLE
2025 2024
£ £
Grants Provided 193,056 276,151
The total grants paid to institutions during the year was as follows:
2025 2024
£ £
Grants Provided 193,056 276,151
7. SUPPORT COSTS
Governance
costs
£
Other resources expended 4,440
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THE FRIENDS OF THE FRENCH INSTITUTE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

8. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.

9. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted fund £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 135,001 Investment income 6,555 Other income 20,000 Total 161,556 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 84,223 Charitable activities Grants Provided 28,359 Other 4,110 Total 116,692 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) 44,864 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 505,753 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 550,617	Restricted fund £ 115,000 - - 115,000 - 247,792 - 247,792 (132,792) 723,022 590,230	Total funds £ 250,001 6,555 20,000 276,556 84,223 276,151 4,110 364,484 (87,928) 1,228,775 1,140,847

continued...

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THE FRIENDS OF THE FRENCH INSTITUTE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

10. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Other creditors 11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Retricted fund TOTAL FUNDS Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Retricted fund TOTAL FUNDS Comparatives for movement in funds Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Retricted fund TOTAL FUNDS	At 1/4/24 £ 550,617 590,230 1,140,847 Incoming resources £ 312,605 135,000 447,605 At 1/4/23 £ 505,753 723,022 1,228,775	2025 £ 4,440 Net movement in funds £ 121,047 28,658 149,705 Resources expended £ (191,558) (106,342) (297,900) Net movement in funds £ 44,864 (132,792) (87,928)	2024 £ 7,290 At 31/3/25 £ 671,664 618,888 1,290,552 Movement in funds £ 121,047 28,658 149,705 At 31/3/24 £ 550,617 590,230 1,140,847

continued...

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THE FRIENDS OF THE FRENCH INSTITUTE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Retricted fund TOTAL FUNDS	Incoming Resources Movement resources expended in funds £ £ £ 161,556 (116,692) 44,864 115,000 (247,792) (132,792) 276,556 (364,484) (87,928)

12. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2025.

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THE FRIENDS OF THE FRENCH INSTITUTE

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donations and legacies Donations Investment income Deposit account interest Other income Other Income Total incoming resources EXPENDITURE Other trading activities Fund Raising Cost Charitable activities Grants to institutions Support costs Governance costs Accountancy and legal fees Total resources expended Net income/(expenditure)	2025 £ 395,000 28,855 23,750 447,605 100,404 193,056 4,440 297,900 149,705	2024 £ 250,001 6,555 20,000 276,556 84,223 276,151 4,110 364,484 (87,928)

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

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