Registered number: 05889426 Charity number: 1118916
EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
LUBBOCK FINE LLP Chartered Accountants Paternoster House 65 St Paul's Churchyard London EC4M 8AB
EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity, its Trustees and Advisers | 1 |
| Trustees' Report | 2 - 7 |
| Independent Auditors' Report on the Financial Statements | 8 - 11 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 12 |
| Balance Sheet | 13 |
| Statement of Cash Flows | 14 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 15 - 28 |
EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
| Trustees | Marc Balston |
|---|---|
| Ozan Tarman | |
| Parvoleta Shtereva | |
| Pontso Mafethe | |
| Cynthia Steele | |
| Susan Dodge | |
| Jeremy Llewelyn | |
| Jonathan Bell | |
| Swatee Deepak | |
| Toby West | |
| Marcelo Assalin | |
| Mary-Therese Barton | |
| Linda Wesiert | |
| Liliana Castillo Dearth | |
| Nicolette Naylor | |
| Finbar Cooke | |
| Company registered number 05889426 Charity registered number 1118916 Registered office 3rd Floor, Paternoster House 65 St Paul's Churchyard London EC4M 8AB Company secretary Cynthia Steele Independent auditors Lubbock Fine LLP Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors Paternoster House 65 St Paul's Churchyard London EC4M 8AB Bankers JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A 125 London Wall London EC2Y 5AJ Charities Aid Foundation 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ |
Page 1
EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
The Trustees present their annual report together with the audited financial statements of Empower - The Emerging Markets Foundation Limited for the year from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024. The Annual Report serves the purposes of both a Trustees' report and a directors' report under company law. The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and financial statements of the charitable company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charitable company's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019).
Since the Charity qualifies as small under section 382 of the Companies Act 2006, the Strategic Report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 has been omitted.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Reference and administrative details are shown in the schedule of the members of the board and professional advisers on page 1 of the financial statements.
THE TRUSTEES
The trustees who served the charity during the period and since the year end were:
Marc Balston Cynthia Steele Jeremy Llewelyn Pontso Mafethe Parvoleta Shtereva Ozan Tarman Bradley Wickens (Resigned 1 July 2023) Francisco Ybarra (Resigned 1 July 2023) Kunal Shah (Resigned 12 February 2025) Angela Labombarda (Resigned 30 June 2024) Andrew Curran (Resigned 25 November 2024) Susan Dodge Jonathan Bell John Patton (Resigned 30 June 2024) Swatee Deepak Toby West Colin Reedie (Resigned on 30 June 2024) Adeel Khan (Resigned on 30 June 2024) Marcelo Assalin Mary-Therese Barton Linda Weseirt (Appointed on 21 February 2024) Nicolette Naylor (Appointed on 25 November 2024) Michael Lekan (Resigned 11 December 2023) Liliana Castillo Dearth (Appointed 12 February 2025) Finar Cooke (Appointed 12 February 2025)
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EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
EMpower - The Emerging Markets Foundation Limited is a company limited by guarantee and governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Appointment of directors
New Directors are recruited and nominated by the Executive Committee of the Board. The Executive Committee is composed of:
Kunal Shah, Board Co-Chair Swatee Deepak, Board Co-Chair Jonathan Bell, Treasurer Pontso Mafethe, Programmes Committee Co-Chair Parvoleta Shtereva, Programmes Committee Co-Chair Susan Dodge, Secretary
All of the Directors elected to the Board have a three year renewable term.
According to the Articles of Association, there is no limit to the number of directors appointed to the Board, and so the Board of Directors has resolved to continue to search for additional strategic directors.
The Board of Directors continuously reviews its competencies and is conscious of the need to maintain a balance of skills. Periodically, additional members are invited to join the Board, effectively becoming an additional director and this involves a careful vetting process by the Board to ensure that any new member is aware of his/her responsibilities towards the Foundation.
New Directors are briefed on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Board and decision making processes, the business plan and recent financial performance of the Charity.
Organisation
The Board of Directors administers the Charity. The Board meets once a year for the Annual General Meeting and convenes to meet when needed at different times of the year. The Secretary acts as a Chief Executive to manage the day to day operations of the Charity.
Related Parties
The sole member of the Charity is EMpower - The Emerging Markets Foundation, incorporated in the State of New York in the United States of America (EMpower US). While EMpower US manages the grantmaking operations of the Charity, the geographic focus and approval for all of the Charity's philanthropic distributions are decided by the Board of Directors of the Charity.
EMpower - The Emerging Markets Foundation Inc. has three further subsidiary undertakings, EMpower - The Emerging Markets Foundation (Hong Kong) Ltd (EMpower HK), EMpower – The Emerging Markets Foundation (Singapore) Ltd (EMpower SG) and Empower Services Private Limited (India) (EMpower India). The grantmaking operations for these subsidiaries are also managed by EMpower US, though its own Board of Directors approve distributions and geographic focus.
All five organisations have the same mission and actively promote their common goals throughout the world.
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EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
Remuneration management
Remuneration of key management personnel is set by the Trustees and is based on a combination of performance assessments, any promotion or change of duties during the period and a review of external market factors such as inflation rates.
Risk Management
The Board of Directors are committed to a regular review of the major strategic, business and operational risks which the Charity faces with a view to ensuring that appropriate systems and procedures are in place to minimise these risks.
Public Benefit
In setting the objectives and planning the activities of EMpower - The Emerging Markets Foundation Limited, the Directors have given careful consideration to the Charities Commission's general guidance on public benefit.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The Emerging Markets Foundation is a global philanthropy focused on empowering at risk youth (ages 10 - 24) in 15 emerging market countries. The Charity believes that young people are a critical resource for every country and focuses on the essential building blocks for a young person’s future - education, livelihoods, health and well being.
With a world wide community of supporters, the Charity strategically invests in vital, local organizations who work to empower at risk youth, in the following three ways:
Empowering Youth Through Grantmaking
The Charity invests in local organizations that know their local communities and context, and are best positioned to discover and implement solutions that work. The Charity makes grants to organizations with a track record of successfully engaging and serving young people, solid organizational capacity and an interest in learning and growth.
Working with Grantees
Beyond financial support, the Charity works with grantee partners to expand their reach and/or improve their programs and services. The Charity encourages innovative approaches while sharing ideas and knowledge.
Multiplying Impact
The Charity brings together organizations focused on issues affecting youth, by developing and catalyzing forums for problem solving and exchanging ideas - making good ideas travel faster and further.
The Charity founded and fueled by finance professionals, serves as the bridge between the financial sector’s talent, energy, resources and knowledge of EM countries, to local organizations. The Charity’s Board, staff, committed Underwriters and generous supporters understand the inequities and opportunity gaps that young people face in EM countries, and want to do something about them. As an organisation, the Charity takes time to listen and from that listening and understanding comes learning, collaborative work and strategic use of their resources.
Aspects which make the Charity unique are:
Leadership - strong community of supporters and talented, committed leadership through its Board of Directors. A Joint Executive Committee, bringing together members of the Boards of EMpower UK, US, HK, SG and India steers the global strategy of the Charity and its regional partners.
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EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
Efficiency - coupled with EMpower US, EMpower HK, EMpower SG and Empower India, the Charity has a global footprint that centralizes key functions and keeps administrative costs low, while remaining regionally nimble with offices in New York, London, Hong Kong and Delhi. The Charity’s operations are streamlined to create maximum impact, with less than 20% spent on fundraising and non-program related direct costs. The remaining 80% of the budget going directly to program work.
Underwriting - most operating costs world wide are covered by the Charity’s generous underwriters, enabling almost 100% of every individual donation to benefit at risk youth.
Effectiveness - monitor and measure impact on several interrelated levels. The Charity looks at direct and indirect impact, changes in individual lives and in their local partner organizations, and broader changes in the communities where it works.
Thought leadership and deep on the ground experience in youth development - identifies and partners with quality, local organizations for up to 10 years supporting their programming, development and growth, including leveraging additional support.
For more information please visit our website: http://empowerweb.org/
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
During the year ended 30 June 2024, the Charity disbursed $2,235,786 to 39 organisations. All of these grants helped to further the Charity's mission of empowering at risk youth around the world. The organisations funded with these grants are all dedicated to supporting programs advancing the health, education, and livelihoods development of marginalized young people. For a list of these grants, kindly visit www.empowerweb.org.
In addition, the Charity held awareness raising events in London to broaden the base of supporters as well as attracting others from continental Europe. The Charity was successful in forming an Underwriting Group of renowned professionals in the Emerging Markets financial sector that currently generously cover 100% of our fundraising and non-program related direct costs. To see the full list of Underwriters, kindly visit www.empowerweb.org.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
During the financial year the Charity recognised incoming resources totalling $3,532,855. This represented individual and institutional donations (including Gift Aid) and investment income.
On the expenses side, the Charity expended a total of $4,206,836, which was incurred directly to the fulfilment of the Charity's objectives, together with the support costs relating to these activities. The Charity donated $2,235,786 in grants to community based organisations in emerging countries dedicated to empowering young people.
The Charity held two fundraising event during the course of the year with expenditure totalling $262,992. The events generated $895,664 of fundraising income, consisting of $745,496 in donations and $150,168 of matched and supplementary funding from corporate and individual underwriters, as well as promoting an expansion of awareness of the Charity throughout its core constituency of financial professionals.
At the year end, the charity had total funds of $834,702 which is made up of unrestricted funds of $782,202 and restricted funds of $52,500 which are to be used for the purposes as detailed in note 17. The unrestricted funds consisted of Board designated reserves of $600,000 and a general reserve for operation of $182,202. The Board designated reserves have been set aside for the purposes of confronting operational expenses in case of a downturn in fundraising. The reserve policy of the Charity has been met at the balance sheet date as indicated by the separately designated Reserve fund shown in note 17.
Page 5
EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
FUNDRAISING STANDARDS INFORMATION
The Charity adheres to current Fund-raising standards. We raise funds from the public using only our internal Development staff, our Directors and our Underwriters. We directly contact our donors and directly communicate with them, we use no intermediaries. We also develop our own marketing and communications resources internally. By using our internal resources we are able to protect against unusual intrusion and protect data privacy. Please visit our website to review our Policy on why we collect personal information, how we use it, the conditions under which we may disclose it to others and how we keep it secure. https://empowerweb.org/about-us/privacy
PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIOD
The Charity, through the UK VP of Development, the UK Development Director & Manager, Corporate Partnerships and the UK Development and Engagement Manager, will continue to support the Board of Directors in its efforts to continue building Development in London. Both the Board of Directors and staff will focus on raising the awareness of the Charity's work within its core constituency in the emerging markets financial sector, but also expand the reach to sectors outside finance, as well as continue to grow institutional funding and also identify individuals and firms with a keen interest in the 15 countries EMpower currently serves.
Pursuant to this end, the Charity will continue to have constituent dinners, Grants Meetings and explore participation in such high profile events such as the EMPEA global industry association for private capital in emerging markets conference, FT Investor for Good Conference and the London Marathon. To further diversify income, EMpower has also added online campaigns to help maintain and promote donor participation.
The Charity will continue to review geographic priorities and other programmatic imperatives so that the grantmaking is ensured to be impactful to the communities it seeks to serve and relevant to its supporters. The Charity will continue to distinguish itself by its participatory and transparent nature and will keep encouraging those interested to get involved in its work. If you would like to learn more about how to get involved with EMpower, kindly contact Ms Sadiya Shaikh, the UK Development Director, sshaikh@empowerweb.org.
TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT
The Trustees (who are also the directors of the Charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
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make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Page 6
EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO AUDITORS
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Each of the persons who are Trustees at the time when this Trustees' Report is approved has confirmed that: • so far as that Trustee is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charity's auditors are unaware, and
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that Trustee has taken all the steps that ought to have been taken as a Trustee in order to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity's auditors are aware of that information.
In preparing this report, the Trustees have taken advantage of the small company exemptions provided by section 415A of the Companies Act 2006.
This report was approved by the Trustees, and signed on their behalf by: Cynthia Steele Company Secretary C944 OR Date: 26 March 2025
Page 7
EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED (A Company Limited by Guarantee)
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Empower - The Emerging Markets Foundation Limited (the 'charity') for the year ended 30 June 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash Flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). In our opinion the financial statements: � give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 30 June 2024 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
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have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Page 8
EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our Auditors' Report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual Report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinion on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
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the information given in the Trustees' Report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.
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the Trustees' Report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees' Report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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certain disclosures of Trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
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the Trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies' exemptions in preparing the Trustees' Report and from the requirement to prepare a Strategic Report.
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the Trustees' Responsibilities Statement, the Trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
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EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditors' Report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud.
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and noncompliance with laws and regulations, we considered the following:
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Enquiries of management, including obtaining and reviewing supporting documentation, concerning the charity’s policies and procedures relating to:
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identifying, evaluating and complying with laws and regulations and whether they were aware of any instances of non-compliance;
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detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud;
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the internal controls established to mitigate risks related to fraud or non-compliance of laws and regulations;
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Discussions among the engagement team regarding how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and any potential indicators of fraud. The engagement team includes audit staff who have extensive experience of working with charities in similar sectors and this experience was relevant to the discussion about where fraud risks might arise.
We also obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the charity operates in, focusing on provisions of those laws and regulations that had direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The key laws and regulations we considered in this context included the UK Companies Act, UK Charities Act, Charities SORP 2019 and FRS 102.
In addition, we considered provisions of other laws and regulations that do not have a direct effect on the financial statements but compliance with which may be fundamental to the charity's ability to operate or to avoid a material penalty.
As a result of these procedures, we considered the particular areas that were susceptible to misstatement due to irregularity, including fraud were in respect of the revenue recognition, unrecorded grant commitments and management override. Our procedures to respond to risks identified included the following:
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Reviewing the financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with provisions of relevant laws and regulations described as having a direct effect on the financial statements;
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Enquiring of management concerning actual and potential litigation and claims;
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Performing analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships that may indicate risks of material misstatement due to fraud;
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Reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;
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Reviewing income recognition on a sample basis to supporting documentation to identify misstatements in recognition and classification of income between restricted / unrestricted funds;
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EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
Reviewing, on a sample basis, documentation supporting grant expenditure in the year to test completeness of grant commitments;
In addressing the risk of fraud through management override of controls; assessing whether the judgements made in making accounting estimates are indicative of a potential bias; and evaluating the rationale of any significant transactions that are unusual or outside the normal course of the charity’s operations.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditors' Report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditors' Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and its members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Hazra Patel (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of
Lubbock Fine LLP Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors Paternoster House 65 St Paul's Churchyard London EC4M 8AB
Date:
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EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
| Note Income from: Donations 2 Charitable activities 3 Investments 4 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 5 Total expenditure Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds 2024 $ 2,485,932 895,664 46,290 3,427,886 3,864,604 3,864,604 (436,718) 1,218,920 (436,718) 782,202 |
Restricted funds 2024 $ 104,969 - - 104,969 342,232 342,232 (237,263) 289,763 (237,263) 52,500 |
Total funds 2024 $ 2,590,901 895,664 46,290 3,532,855 4,206,836 4,206,836 (673,981) 1,508,683 (673,981) 834,702 |
Total funds 2023 $ 3,017,984 1,239,341 7,158 4,264,483 4,605,662 4,605,662 (341,179) 1,849,862 (341,179) 1,508,683 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 15 to 28 form part of these financial statements.
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EMPOWER- THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION UMITED (A Comparry Limited by Guarnntee) REGISTERED NUMBER: 05889426 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 JUNE 2024 2024 2024 2023 2023 Note Flxed assets Tangible assets Current a880ts 12 8,191 5.317 Deblors Investments Cash at bank and in hand 13 14 408.338 894.611 307.904 352,421 2,166,830 1,610.853 2,519,251 Creditors." amounts falling due within one year 15 (581.092) (924,885) Net Current 498et8 1.029,761 1.594,386 Creditors.. 8munls fdffng due after more than one ar 16 (203.250) (91.000) Totsl not a88ets 834,702 1,508,683 Charlty funds Restricted fijnds Unrestricted funds 17 17 52.500 782.202 289,763 1.218,920 Total funds 834,702 1.508.683 The financial statements have been prepared in &cordance with the provisions applKable to entr(ies subjecl lo the small corry)anies regime. The final sLrytements ere 4proved and authorised for issue by the Trust&s and swJned on their behalf by. Jonathan Bell Chair Date.. arc 8alston Treasurer The notes on p898s 15 to 28 forn part of these financial stslements. Page 13
EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
| Note Cash flows from operating activities Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities 19 Cash flows from investing activities Bank interest Purchase of tangible fixed assets Net cash provided by investing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 20 |
2024 $ (1,004,949) 46,290 (5,656) 40,634 (964,315) 2,166,830 1,202,515 |
2023 $ (1,120,255) 7,158 (3,714) 3,444 (1,116,811) 3,283,641 2,166,830 |
|---|---|---|
The notes on pages 15 to 28 form part of these financial statements
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EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
1. Accounting policies
1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements 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), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Empower - The Emerging Markets Foundation Limited meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
The accounts have been prepared in US dollars as this is the operating currency of the charity.
1.2 Company status
The company is a company limited by guarantee. The members of the company are the Trustees named on page 1. In the event of the company being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £10 per member of the company.
1.3 Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
1.4 Going concern
The Trustees consider that it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis. In formulating this assessment the Trustees have taken into consideration the strength of available reserves and fundraising forecasts.
1.5 Income
All monetary donations, grants and gifts are included in full in the statement of financial activities when receivable, provided that there are no donor/funder-imposed restrictions as to the timing of the related expenditure, in which case recognition is deferred until the pre-condition has been met.
Gifts in kind and donated services are valued and included in income to the extent that it represents goods or services which would otherwise be purchased. An equivalent amount is charged as expenditure.
Fundraising income consists of donations received at events which are recognised in the year in which the event was held.
Page 15
EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
1. Accounting policies (continued)
1.6 Interest receivable
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
1.7 Grants payable
Grants payable are payments made to third parties in the furtherance of the charitable objectives of the charity. The grants are accounted for where either the trustees have agreed to pay the grant without condition and the recipient has a reasonable expectation that they will receive a grant, or any condition attaching to the grant is outside the control of the charity.
1.8 Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, 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, which is charged on an accruals basis, is allocated between:
-
Expenditure incurred directly to the fulfilment of the Charity's objectives together with support costs relating to these activities;
-
Expenditure incurred in order to raise funds for charitable activities including support costs; and
-
Expenditure incurred in the governance of the Charity and its assets.
1.9 Foreign currencies
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into dollars at rates of exchange ruling at the reporting date.
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into dollars at the rate ruling on the date of the transaction.
Exchange gains and losses are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities.
1.10 Pensions
The company contributes to a group personal pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the Charity in respect of the year.
1.11 VAT
The Charity is not registered for VAT and its expenses are therefore inflated by VAT which cannot be recovered.
1.12 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are carried at cost, net of depreciation and any provision for impairment. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases:
Computer equipment - 20% straight line
Page 16
EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
1. Accounting policies (continued)
1.13 Investments
Current asset investments are a form of financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction cost and subsequently measured at fair value at the Balance Sheet date, unless the value cannot be measured reliably in which case it is measured at cost less impairment. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and presented as ‘Gains/(Losses) on investments’ in the Statement of Financial Activities.
Current asset investments are expected to be realised within 12 months of the reporting date and include cash on deposit and cash equivalents with a maturity of less than one year.
1.14 Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
1.15 Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
1.16 Liabilities and provisions
Liabilities are recognised as resources expended as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category.
1.17 Financial instruments
The Charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
2. Income from donations
| Unrestricted funds 2024 $ Donations and gift aid 2,485,932 Total 2023 2,680,454 |
Restricted funds 2024 $ 104,969 337,530 |
Total funds 2024 $ 2,590,901 3,017,984 |
Total funds 2023 $ 3,017,984 |
|---|---|---|---|
Page 17
EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
3. Income from charitable activities
| Unrestricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | funds | |
| 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| $ | $ | $ | |
| Fundraising activities | 895,664 | 895,664 | 1,239,341 |
4. Investment income
| Unrestricted funds 2024 $ Dividend income 24,975 Bank interest receivable 21,315 46,290 |
Total funds 2024 $ 24,975 21,315 46,290 |
Total funds 2023 $ - 7,158 |
|---|---|---|
| 7,158 |
5. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities
Summary by fund type
| Unrestricted funds 2024 $ Grant funding activities including management fee 3,864,604 Total 2023 4,231,551 |
Restricted funds 2024 $ 342,232 374,111 |
Total 2024 $ 4,206,836 4,605,662 |
Total 2023 $ 4,605,662 |
|---|---|---|---|
Page 18
EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
6. Analysis of expenditure by activities
| Grant funding activities including management fee Total 2023 Analysis of direct costs Management fees to EMpower - Foundation (EMpower US) Analysis of support costs Staff costs Depreciation General support costs Travel and communications Fundraising expenses Foreign exchange (gain)/loss Total 2024 |
Activities undertaken directly 2024 $ 841,900 965,571 The Emerging |
Grant funding activities 2024 $ 2,235,786 2,487,592 Markets |
Support costs 2024 $ 1,129,150 1,152,499 Activities 2024 $ 841,900 Grant funding activities 2024 $ 718,460 2,782 225,142 17,022 240,860 (75,116) 1,129,150 |
Total funds 2024 $ 4,206,836 4,605,662 Total funds 2024 $ 841,900 Total funds 2024 $ 718,460 2,782 225,142 17,022 240,860 (75,116) 1,129,150 |
Total funds 2023 $ 4,605,662 Total funds 2023 $ 965,571 Total funds 2023 $ 743,638 2,334 260,748 74,334 197,361 (125,916) 1,152,499 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Page 19
EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
7. Grants payable
| Grants to Institutions 2024 Total funds 2024 $ $ Grant funding activities 2,235,786 2,235,786 Total 2023 2,487,592 2,487,592 The Charity has made the following material grants to institutions during the year: Name of institution Brave Rock Girl Chicas en Technologia Civil CYDA - Centre for Youth Development and Activities Instituto Precisa Ser New Resolution India (Bright Future) PUKAR Disability Resource Centre Songtaba The Antarang Foundation Vacha Charitable Trust Other grants to institutions 8. Auditors' remuneration 2024 $ Fees payable to the Charity's auditor for the audit of the Charity's annual accounts (governance) - 2024 audit 17,791 Fees payable to the Charity's auditor for the audit of the Charity's annual accounts (governance) - 2023 audit - All non-audit services not included above 8,896 |
Total funds 2023 $ 2,487,592 |
|---|---|
| 2024 $ 126,500 110,000 100,000 80,000 100,000 95,000 108,000 85,000 85,000 |
|
| 889,500 1,346,286 |
|
| 2,235,786 | |
| 2023 $ - 17,807 8,903 |
Page 20
EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
9. Staff costs
| Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs |
2024 $ 600,421 74,718 43,321 718,460 |
2023 $ 613,952 77,403 52,283 |
|---|---|---|
| 743,638 |
The average number of persons employed by the Charity during the year was as follows:
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| No. | No. | |
| Average number of staff | 6 | 6 |
The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was:
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| No. | No. | |
| In the band $75,567 - $88,161 (£60,001 - £70,000) | 1 | - |
| In the band $88,161 - $100,756 (£70,001 - £80,000) | - | 2 |
| In the band $151,134 - $163,728 (£120,001 - £130,000) | - | 1 |
| In the band $163,728 - $176,323 (£130,001 - £140,000) | 2 | 1 |
Total remuneration paid to key management personnel was $408,934 (2023 - $489,427).
10. Trustees' remuneration and expenses
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2023 - $NIL).
During the year ended 30 June 2024, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2023 - $NIL).
11. Taxation
There is no charge to corporation tax due to the nature of the activites carried out by the organisation.
Page 21
EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
12. Tangible fixed assets
| Cost or valuation At 1 July 2023 Additions At 30 June 2024 Depreciation At 1 July 2023 Charge for the year At 30 June 2024 Net book value At 30 June 2024 At 30 June 2023 13. Debtors Grants and donations receivable Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income |
2024 $ 388,490 - 19,848 408,338 |
Computer equipment $ 13,596 5,656 |
|---|---|---|
| 19,252 | ||
| 8,279 2,782 |
||
| 11,061 | ||
| 8,191 | ||
| 5,317 | ||
| 2023 $ 306,593 204 45,624 352,421 |
Page 22
EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
14. Current asset investments
| Listed investments Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Amounts owed to group undertakings Other creditors Grants payable Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year Grants payable |
2024 $ 894,611 2024 $ 27,747 53,095 500,250 581,092 2024 $ 203,250 203,250 |
2023 $ - |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 $ 50,058 72,514 802,313 |
||
| 924,885 | ||
| 2023 $ 91,000 |
||
| 91,000 |
15. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
16. Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year
Page 23
EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
17. Statement of funds
Statement of funds - current year
| Unrestricted funds General Funds Reserves Restricted funds Children's Investment Fund Foundation Ukraine Fund L'oreal Fund for Women Total of funds |
Balance at 1 July 2023 $ 618,920 600,000 1,218,920 39,763 250,000 - 289,763 1,508,683 |
Income $ 3,427,886 - 3,427,886 - - 104,969 104,969 3,532,855 |
Expenditure $ (3,864,604) - (3,864,604) (39,763) (197,500) (104,969) (342,232) (4,206,836) |
Balance at 30 June 2024 $ 182,202 600,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 782,202 | ||||
| - 52,500 - |
||||
| 52,500 | ||||
| 834,702 |
Page 24
EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
17. Statement of funds (continued)
Statement of funds - prior year
| Unrestricted funds General Funds Reserves Renew Fund Restricted funds Children's Investment Fund Foundation Ukraine Fund Total of funds |
Balance at 1 July 2022 $ 423,518 600,000 500,000 1,523,518 326,344 - 326,344 1,849,862 |
Income $ 3,926,953 - - 3,926,953 87,530 250,000 337,530 4,264,483 |
Expenditure $ (4,231,551) - - (4,231,551) (374,111) - (374,111) (4,605,662) |
Transfers in/out $ 500,000 - (500,000) - - - - - |
Balance at 30 June 2023 $ 618,920 600,000 - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,218,920 | |||||
| 39,763 250,000 |
|||||
| 289,763 | |||||
| 1,508,683 |
Reserves
The reserves fund of $600,000 (2023 - $600,000) included within unrestricted funds is a Board designated fund set aside for the purpose of confronting operational expenses in case of a downturn in fundraising.
Restricted funds
Childrens Investment fund
During the year, the Charity received income of $nil (2023 - $87,530) from Children's Investment Fund Foundation to support an organized base of diverse leaders in their personal transformation to change dominant institutions by leading local initiatives with decision makers aimed at advancing girls' rights in Rajasthan, India.
Ukranian Fund
During the year, the Charity received income of $nil (2023 - $250,000) to support young Ukrainian people.
L'oreal Fund for Women
During the year the Charity received income of $104,969 from L'oreal Fund for Women to incorporate mental health into education programming for sustainable change in South Africa.
Page 25
EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
18. Analysis of net assets between funds
Analysis of net assets between funds - current period
| Unrestricted funds 2024 Restricted funds 2024 $ $ Tangible fixed assets 8,191 - Current assets 1,558,353 52,500 Creditors due within one year (581,092) - Creditors due in more than one year (203,250) - Total 782,202 52,500 Analysis of net assets between funds - prior period Unrestricted funds 2023 Restricted funds 2023 $ $ Tangible fixed assets 5,317 - Current assets 2,229,488 289,763 Creditors due within one year (924,885) - Creditors due in more than one year (91,000) - Total 1,218,920 289,763 19. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities 2024 $ Net expenditure for the period (as per Statement of Financial Activities) (673,981) Adjustments for: Depreciation charges 2,782 Interest income (46,290) Increase in debtors (55,917) Decrease in creditors (231,543) Net cash (used in)/provided by operating activities (1,004,949) |
Total funds 2024 $ 8,191 1,610,853 (581,092) (203,250) 834,702 Total funds 2023 $ 5,317 2,519,251 (924,885) (91,000) 1,508,683 2023 $ (341,179) 2,334 (7,158) (215,031) (559,221) (1,120,255) |
|---|---|
Page 26
EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
20. Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
| Cash in hand Total cash and cash equivalents |
2024 $ 1,202,515 1,202,515 |
2023 $ 2,166,830 |
|---|---|---|
| 2,166,830 |
21. Analysis of changes in net debt
| Cash at bank and in hand Liquid investments |
At 1 July 2023 $ 2,166,830 - 2,166,830 |
Cash flows $ (1,858,926) 894,611 (964,315) |
At 30 June 2024 $ 307,904 894,611 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,202,515 |
22. Pension commitments
The Charity contributes to a group personal pension scheme.
The pension costs per the Statement of Financial Activities represent contributions due from the company and amounted to $43,321 (2023 - $52,283).
At the year end the charity had a pension liability of $nil (2023 - $14,395).
Page 27
EMPOWER - THE EMERGING MARKETS FOUNDATION LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2024
23. Related party transactions
At the balance sheet date $5,080 was due to (2023 - $Nil) EMpower - The Emerging Markets Foundation, a not for profit organisation incorporated in the United Stated of America (EMpower US), which shares common directors. The balance is unsecured, interest free and repayable on demand.
During the year, management fees of $841,900 (2023 - $965,571) were payable to EMpower - The Emerging Markets Foundation for providing operating support.
At the balance sheet date $22,667 (2023 - $Nil) was due to Empower HK - The Emerging Markets Foundation, a not for profit corporation based in Hong Kong (EMpower HK), which shares common directors. The balance is unsecured, interest free and repayable on demand.
At the balance sheet date $Nil (2023 - $50,000) was due to Empower - The Emerging Markets Foundation (Singapore) Ltd, a not for profit corporation based in Singapore (EMpower SG), which shares common directors. The balance is unsecured, interest free and repayable on demand.
At the balance sheet date $Nil (2023 - $58) was due to Empower Services Private Limited, a not for profit corporation based in India, which shares common directors. The balance is unsecured, interest free and repayable on demand.
The aggregate donations received from related parties for which there are no conditions during the year was $683,876 (2023 - $765,264).
24. Parent entity
The parent entity of the Charity is EMpower USA, a charity incorporated in the USA, by virtue of EMpower USA being the sole member of the Charity.
Page 28