## **Embercombe - a company limited by guarantee**
## **Annual Report**
## **Year ended 31 December 2024**
**Company Registration Number 05943952 Charity Registration Number 1116793**
|**Contents**|**Page**||
|---|---|---|
|**Trustees Annual Report**||**3-5**|
|**Statement of Trustees Responsibilities**||**6**|
|**Independent Examiners Report**||**7-8**|
|**Statement of Financial Activities**||**9**|
|**Balance Sheet**||**10**|
|**Statement of Cash Flows**||**11**|
|**Notes to the Financial Statements and Accounting Policies**||**12-18**|
Page 3
## **Trustees Annual Report**
The Trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, submit their report and the unaudited financial statements of the Trust for the period ended 31 December 2024. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts, and comply with the Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and 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), which was published on 16 July 2014. This report includes the Directors Report as required by Company Law.
## **Reference and Administrative Details**
Registered Charity Number: 1116793 Registered Company Number: 5943952 (England and Wales) Registered Office: Embercombe, Higher Ashton, Exeter, Devon EX6 7QT
## **Trustees**
Justin Adams, Chair Appointed April 2024 Ian Wilkinson, Treasurer Appointed June 2024 Emma Butterworth Appointed December 2023
## **Bankers**
Triodos Bank - Bristol BS1 5AS The Co-operative Bank - Skelmersdale WN8 6WT
## **Structure and Governance**
Embercombe is a charitable company limited by guarantee, having no share capital, incorporated under the Companies Act and governed in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 22 September 2006, and amended October 2015.
The objects of the company are to promote all purposes which are charitable under the laws of England and Wales.
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## **Chairs Report**
It is with deep gratitude that I offer my report as Chair of Trustees for Embercombe. Although I formally stepped into the role in April 2024, my relationship with this place — and the vision it holds — goes back much further. This is my first report written from within the role with direct oversight of what has been unfolding on the ground, whilst I submitted a report for the calendar year 2023 as the new Chair, this is the first time I do so with the privilege and responsibility of actively holding the position. I write with humility and commitment, deeply aware of both the challenges we have faced and the enduring significance of Embercombe’s mission.
This has been a year of transition. A year of stripping back to what matters most. Amidst ongoing financial strain, high fixed costs, and unpredictable revenue patterns, we made the difficult but necessary decision to reduce our staff team once again. These choices are never easy. They affect people we care about deeply. And yet they were taken with care and honesty, in service of Embercombe’s long-term survival and renewal.
The deeper work this year has been about securing foundations. About remembering that the land is not just a backdrop but our teacher. About strengthening our culture even as we navigated the discomfort of change. We are trying — as a Board and wider community — to break the cycle of transition that has too often seen well-intentioned trustees come and go, inspired by the potential but unable to make it real. This year, we have sought to come back to the core — to listen more deeply, and to ask again: what is Embercombe’s highest contribution in this time of profound planetary change?
Throughout this period, we’ve been reminded again, and again that Embercombe’s work has never been more essential. In a fractured world, where so many have lost connection to place, to one another, and to the possibility of a brighter future, Embercombe remains a sanctuary — a place that roots us in the land, invites transformation, and rekindles courage.
I want to acknowledge the resilience and dedication of our staff team, who have continued to pour heart and soul into running our programmes and caring for this land, often under immense pressure. The Journey, The Hearth, and Twin Trail remain powerful offerings, helping people weave together the inner and outer work of transformation. The Rewilding Training again sold out, and the practical implementation of our Countryside Stewardship grant is now underway — from deer fencing repairs to improved land management — enabling us to care more deeply and responsibly for the place that sustains us.
We’ve also seen significant change in governance this year. Of the five trustees who were on the board when I accepted the role of Chair, four have since stepped down — a stark reminder of the pressure Embercombe has been under. I’m therefore especially grateful that my friend and longtime supporter of Embercombe, Ian Wilkinson, agreed to join the Board — first as Treasurer, and later in the year as Executive Trustee. Ian has given tirelessly of his time, energy, and strategic insight to help navigate us through this difficult period, and I want to publicly acknowledge his extraordinary contribution as a volunteer leader.
And of course, I want to honour our founder, Mac Macartney. His presence, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to the Children’s Fire continue to guide this place with integrity and heart.
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As we look ahead to 2025, we do so with renewed clarity and commitment. This year has not been easy — but it has been necessary. And we emerge from it more grounded in purpose, more aware of our responsibilities, and more determined to protect and nurture Embercombe for future generations.
On behalf of the Trustees, thank you to all who continue to walk with us — staff, volunteers, alumni, facilitators, donors, and friends. Embercombe is held by many hands, and its future depends on all of us.
With respect and care,
Justin Adams - Chair of the Board of Trustees
## **Reserves**
The Board, has over the last year, monitored the reserve policy closely, keeping cash flow forecast and expenditure under constant review. Our reserve policy going forward is to explore how to increase and maintain reserves at a sustainable level.
The Charity's reserves position at the year-end was as follows:
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Reserve FY 2024 FY 2023
Unrestricted Funds - Reserves -28,844 -120,039
Fixed Assets 1,052,788 1,109,596
Restricted Funds 8,574 92,987
Endowment Funds 914,993 914,993
Total 1,947,511 1,997,537
Annual operating expenditure 591,567 478,320
Ratio of reserves to annual operating
expenditure 0.30 0.24
**----- End of picture text -----**
_Endowment Funds - The endowment represents the gift of the freehold property to the charity, together with expenditure by the previous trust on the property at Embercombe, prior to the company being formed._
## **Small Company Provisions**
This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies' regime under the Companies Act 2006.
The annual report was Approved by the Trustees of the charity, and signed in its behalf by:
**Justin Adams** - Chair of the Board of Trustees
Date: 14/07/2025
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## **Trustees Responsibilities**
Charity Law in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company's financial activities during the year, and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees should follow best practice and:
- select suitable accounting policies, and then apply them consistently ;
- observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP;
- make judgements that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether the applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the ongoing concern basis, unless it is appropriate to presume that the charity will continue its operations.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company's transactions, and to disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company, and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud or other irregularities.
Embercombe selects and appoints Trustees in line with current Charities Commission guidelines, seeking to balance the expertise and professional experience of Board Members.
Insofar as the Trustees are aware:
- There is no relevant accounts information of which the charitable company is unaware;
- The Trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken, to make themselves aware of any relevant accounts information, and to establish that the independent examiner is aware of that information.
The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements, may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
**Justin Adams** - Chair of the Board of Trustees
Date:
14/07/2025
Page 7
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF EMBERCOMBE**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charitable Company for the year ended 31 December 2024.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity’s trustees of the Charitable Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Charitable Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
Since the Charitable Company’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of ACCA and ACIE, both of which are listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or
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4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
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.
**Jason Foxwell FCCA FCIE** 12 Hillbourne Road, Poole BH17 7JB independent-examiner.net
Date: 28 October 2025
Page 9
## **Statement of Financial Activities**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Prior year
Total funds
funds income funds funds funds
F01 F02 F03 F04 F05
Income (Note 2)
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies 146,150 8,475 0 154,625 151,393
Charitable activities 385,998 0 0 385,998 365,384
Investments 918 0 0 918 873
Total 533,066 8,475 0 541,541 517,650
Expenditure (Note 4)
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities 493,727 92,888 0 586,615 473,408
Other 4,952 0 0 4,952 4,912
Total 498,679 92,888 0 591,567 478,320
Net income/expenditure before tax
for the reporting period 34,387 -84,413 0 -50,026 39,330
Tax payable 0
Net income/expenditure after tax
before investment gains/losses 34,387 -84,413 0 -50,026 39,330
Net gains/losses on investments 0
Net income/expenditure 34,387 -84,413 0 -50,026 39,330
Net movement in funds 34,387 -84,413 0 -50,026 39,330
Total funds brought forward 989,557 92,987 914,993 1,997,537 1,958,209
Total funds carried forward 1,023,944 8,574 914,993 1,947,511 1,997,537
**----- End of picture text -----**
Page 10
Balance Sheet as at 31112124
Unie51rlcted Reslrlcled
funds
Income funds
Endowment
funds
Total funds
Prlor year
funds
Fixed Assets
Tangible Assets {Note 81
Toial Flxed Assets
FOI
F02
F03
F04
F05
1.052.788
1,052,788
914.993
914,993
1,967.781
1,967,781
2.024,589
2,024,589
Current Assets
Slocks
Debtors (Note 101
Cash at bank and in Hand
Total current assets
692
18,710
T/,589
96,991
692
650
18,710
77,589
96,991
38,246
58,603
97,499
Creditors- amount falling due
within oneyeaF (Note 11)
100,567
100.567
104,454
Net current assetslliabilities
-3,576
-3,576
-6,955
Total assets less current
liabilities
1.049.212
914.993
1.964.205
2,017.$3d
Creditors: amounts fall'tng due
after one year
16,694
16,694
20,097
Toiai net assets or (latsllltles
1,032,518
914.993
1,947,511
1,997,537
Funds of the Charlty
Endowment Funds
Restricted income funds
Unrestricted lunds
Total funds
914,993
914,993
8,574
1,023,944
1,947,511
914,993
92,987
989,559
1,997,539
8,574
1,023,944
1.023,944
8,574
914.993
For theyear ended 31 December2024. the company was entitled to exemption from audit under
section 477 of the Comp3nie.g Act2006 relatlng to small companies.
The membprg have not required the companyto obtaln an audit in accordance with section 476
ol the Companies Act2006.
The dlrectors acknowledge their spOnSIbl11tyr0r complying With the requirements of the
Companies Act Wlfh respect to accounting records and Ine preparation ofaccounts.
ese accounfs nave been prepared In accordance wlth the prov151on5 applicable 10 smaii
companies SUDJecr 10 the small companies regiffle.
The financial statements on pages 7 to 13 were approved bythe Tiustees and authori5ed foi
issue on 14107125, and signed on their behalf by lan Wilkinson- Tieasurer.
Signed:
Piint name".
| J W ILKJl¥JgoAJ
Page 11
## **Statement of Cash Flows**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Year ended Year ended
31/12/2024 31/12/2023
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating
25,582 -6,141
activities (Note 13)
Cash flows from Investing Activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets -8913 -3480
Disposal of tangible fixed assets 2317 0
Sub total -6596 -3480
Change in cash equivilents in the year 18,986 -9,621
Cash and cash equivilents at the beginning
58,603 68,224
of the year
Cash and cash equivilents at the end of
77,589 58,603
the year
**----- End of picture text -----**
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## **Notes to the accounts**
## **Note 1: Accounting policies**
## **1.1 Basis of preparation**
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items being recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the notes to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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) (Charities SORP FRS 102 effective 1 January 2019), with FRS 102 and with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011. The Charity constitutes a policy benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement The items in the financial statements where the Trustees have had to make significant judgements and estimates include:
- The estimates of the useful economic lives of the tangible fixed assets used to determine the depreciation charge
- The basis on which support costs have been allocated across the various expenditure headings - The accounting for the Linhay property which was valued at lower cost and not realisable value and supported by a professional validation
## **1.2 Going concern**
The reduction in deficit due to improved governance and control, and the resulting ability for the Charity to focus on growing and expanding our activities within a stable environment, leads the Trustees to conclude that a going concern assumption continues to be appropriate for the preparation of the financial statements.
## **1.3 Change of accounting policy**
The accounts present a true and fair view and no changes have been made to the accounting policies adopted in note 1.1
## **1.4 Income**
All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the Charity is legally entitled to the income, the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy, and it is probable that the income will be recovered.
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## **1.5 Expenditure**
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that integrate all costs related to the category. Expenditure comprises direct costs and support costs. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
## **1.6 Support costs**
Support costs represent indirect charitable expenditure and include governance costs. Support costs include salaries for staff, facilities and premises costs, insurance and bank charges, IT, communications, and other general support services. Support costs are allocated to other headings on a reasonable basis.
## **1.7 Tangible fixed assets**
Assets are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and are recorded at cost
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates, in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life, as follows:
- Land and Buildings - Straight line over 10 to 50 years, on buildings only
- Plant and Machinery - 20% on reducing balance
## **1.8 Debtors**
Debtors are recognised at their settlement value, less any provision for non-recoverability
## **1.9 Creditors**
Creditors are recognised when there is an obligation which is likely to result in the transfer of economic resources, and the amount of such transfer can be estimated reliably. The amount recognised is the amount which the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the obligation.
## **1.10 Taxation**
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
## **1.11 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.
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## **Notes to the accounts**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Prior year
Total funds
funds income funds funds funds
Note 2: Analysis of income
Donations and gifts 122,005 8,475 0 130,480 118,961
Gift Aid 0 0 0 0 28,750
Grants provided by government 24,144 0 0 24,144 3,666
Membership subscriptions 0 0 0 0 16
Total Donations and legacies 146,150 8,475 0 154,625 151,393
Programme delivery 245,241 0 0 245,241 237,033
Venue hire 134,365 0 0 134,365 125,898
Other 6,392 0 0 6,392 2,453
Total Charitable activities 385,998 0 0 385,998 365,384
Interest income 918 0 0 918 873
Total Income from investment 918 0 0 918 873
Total income 533,066 8,475 0 541,541 517,650
Note 3: Analysis of government grants This year Last year
Countryside Stewardship 24,144 3,666
Total government grants 24,144 3,666
Note 4: Expenditure This year Last year
Unrestricted Restricted Unrestricted Restricted
funds income funds funds income funds
Expenditure on charitable activities
Awards for All - Community Rewilding 0 0 0 7,447
Medicine Garden 0 3,569 0 9,711
Programme Delivery 188,370 3,288 132,026 53,600
Land and Property, inc. depreciation 145,288 954 77,412 12,404
Marketing and PR 6,143 0 3,510 0
Support Costs 153,926 85,077 168,704 8,594
Total expenditure on charitable activities 493,727 92,888 381,652 91,756
Other
Bank loan interest 568 0 650 0
VAT penalties 0 0 4,262 0
Bad debt expense 2,067 0 0 0
Disposal of fixed assets 2,317 0 0 0
Total other expenditure 4,952 0 4,912 0
Total expenditure 498,679 92,888 386,564 91,756
**----- End of picture text -----**
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**This year Last year**
## **Note 5: Support Costs**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Wages and social security 58,855 98,549
Pensions 783 1,336
Utilities 20,121 18,463
Other costs 66,604 49,706
Other professional 6,000 8,445
Total support costs for charitable activities 152,363 176,499
**----- End of picture text -----**
|**Note 6:**
**Details of certain types of expenditure**|**This year**|**Last year**|
|---|---|---|
|Independent examiners fee|1,563|822|
## **Note 7: Paid employees**
|**7.1 Staff costs**
**7.2 Average head count**
Pension costs (NEST)
**Total staff costs**
Salaries and wages
Social security costs|**This year**
**Last year**
58,740
95,808
115
2,741
783
1,336
**59,638**
**99,885**
**This year**
**Last year**
3
5
Other|
|---|---|
_There are no paid staff that are employed specifically for fundraising, charitable activities or governance._
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|||||||||Page|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||||**Plant,**||
|**Note**|**8:**|**Tangible**|**fixed**|**assets**|**Freehold land**
**& buildings**|**Other land &**
**buildings**|**machinery &**
**motor**|**Total**|
||||||||**vehicles**||
## **8.1 Cost or valuation**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
At the beginning of the year 1,064,330 1,242,546 71,647 2,378,523
Additions 0 4,816 4,097 8,913
Revaluations 0 0 0 0
Disposals 0 0 2,317 2,317
At the end of the year 1,064,330 1,247,362 73,427 2,385,119
**----- End of picture text -----**
||||||**Plant,**||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Freehold**|**land**|**Other land**|**&**|**machinery**|**&**|**Total**||
||**& buildings**||**buildings**||**motor**||||
|**8.2 Depreciation and impairments**|||||**vehicles**||||
|Basis|n/a||SL||RB||||
|Rate|n/a||10yrs/75yrs||20%||||
||||||||||
|At the beginning of the year||0|291,709||62,225||353,934||
|Disposals||0||0||0||0|
|Depreciation||0|54,820||8,584||63,404||
|At the end of the year||0|346,529||70,809||417,338||
## **8.3 Net book value**
|Net|book|value|at|the|beginning of the year|1,064,330|950,837|9,422|2,024,589|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Net|book|value|at|the|end of the year|1,064,330|900,833|2,618|1,967,781|
## **Note 9: Stocks**
|Charitable activities, opening stock|650|
|---|---|
|Added in period|42|
|**Total stock this year**|**692**|
|Total stock previous year|650|
## **Note 10: Analysis of debtors**
|**Note 10: Analysis of debtors**|||
|---|---|---|
||**This year**|**Last year**|
|Trade debtors|2,615|3,121|
|Prepayments and accrued income|15,889|6,375|
|Other debtors|205|28,750|
|**Total debtors**|**18,710**|**38,246**|
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## **Note 11: Creditors and accruals**
## **11.1 Analaysis of creditors**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Amounts falling due within Amounts falling due after
one year more than one year
This year Last year This year Last year
Bank loans and overdrafts 3,971 3,971 16,694 20,097
Trade creditors 3,021 15,595 - -
Accruals and deferred income 59,128 62,434 - -
- -
Taxation and social security 34,447 22,454
Total creditors and accruals 100,567 104,454 16,694 20,097
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **11.2 Deferred income**
Deferred income is recorded when deposits are received during the financial year for programmes and events that are taking place in the following year. In 2024 we have received venure hire and programme deposits for 2025.
## _**Movement in deferred income account**_
||**This year**|**Last year**|
|---|---|---|
|Balance at the start of the reporting period|52,073|56,516|
|Amounts added in the current period|283,249|269,493|
|Amounts released to income from previous periods|-277,933|-273,936|
|**Balance at the end of the reporting period**|**57,389**|**52,073**|
## **Note 12: Cash at bank and in hand**
|||**This year**|**Last year**|
|---|---|---|---|
|Cash|at bank and in hand|77,589|58,603|
|**Total**|**cash at bank**|**77,589**|**58,603**|
## **Note 13: Reconciliation of net movement in funds, to net cash flows from operating activities**
||**This year**|**Last year**|
|---|---|---|
|Net movement in funds|-50,026|39,329|
|Decrease/(increase) in stock|-42|-250|
|Decrease/(increase) in debtors|19,536|-35,047|
|Decrease/(increase) in creditors|-7,290|-39,967|
|Depreciation charge|63,404|29,794|
|**Net cash provided by operating activities**|**25,582**|**-6,141**|
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## **Note 14: Charity funds**
## **14.1 Details of material funds held and movements during the current reporting period**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Fund Fund
Fund names Type balances Income Expenditure balances
b/f c/f
General fund Unrestricted 989,559 533,066 498,679 1,023,944
Catalyst bursary Restricted 10,221 0 -3288 6,933
Start Restricted 216 0 0 216
Endowment fund Endowment 914,993 0 0 914,993
Medicine garden Restricted 3569 0 -3569 0
Elders area Restricted 954 0 -954 0
Donations Restricted 78,027 8475 -85077 1,425
Total funds as per balance sheet 1,997,539 541,541 405,791 1,947,511
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **14.2 Details of material funds held and movements during the previous reporting period**
||||**Fund**||||**Fund**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Fund names**||**Type**|**balances**|**Income**||**Expenditure**|**balances**|
||||**b/f**||||**c/f**|
|General fund||Unrestricted|990,100|386,023||-386,564|989,559|
|Catalyst bursary||Restricted|10,221||0|0|10,221|
|Start||Restricted|216||0|0|216|
|Endowment fund||Endowment|914,993||0|0|914,993|
|Awards for All||Restricted|7,447||0|-7,447|0|
|Medicine garden||Restricted|13,280||0|-9,711|3,569|
|Elders area||Restricted|13,358||0|-12,404|954|
|MD funding||Restricted|8,594||0|-8,594|0|
|Donations||Restricted|0|131,627||-53,600|78,027|
|**Total funds as per**|**balance sheet**||**1,958,209**|**517,650**||**-478,320**|**1,997,539**|