COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 08223187 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1149800
The National Funding Scheme Company Limited by Guarantee Unaudited Financial Statements
30 Septem her 2025
FROST & COMPANY
Chartered accountants Unit C, Regent House 9 Crown Square Poundbury Dorset DT13DY
The National Funding Scheme
Company Limited by Guarantee
Financial Statements
Year ended 30 September 2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' annual report (incorporating the director's report) | 1 |
| Independent examiner's report to the trustees | 8 |
| Statement of financial activities (including income and | |
| expenditure account) | 9 |
| Statement of financial position | 10 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 11 |
| The following pages do not form part of the financial statements | |
| Detailed statement of financial activities | 21 |
| Notes to the detailed statement of financial activities | 22 |
The National Funding Scheme
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)
Year ended 30 September 2025
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2025.
Reference and administrative details
Registered charity name The National Funding Scheme Charity registration number 1149800 Company registration number 08223187 Principal office and registered 1 Golden Court office Richmond Surrey TW9 1EU The trustees G Bagshawe S Cooper J Galloway WMakower J Park Independent examiner Mr Stephen J Frost ACA Unit C, Regent House 9 Crown Square Poundbury Dorset DT1 3DY
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The National Funding Scheme
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 30 September 2025
Structure, governance and management
Governance
The National Funding Scheme is a charitable company, limited by guarantee, incorporated on 20 September 2012 and registered as a charity on 16 November 2012. The charity was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the charity and is governed under its Articles of Association.
The governance and strategy of the charity is overseen by the Board of Trustees (named in the table below). Trustees are appointed as outlined in the Memorandum and Articles of Association and they bring specific skills to complement and support the Management Team.
The following Trustees were in office at 30 September 2025, and served throughout the period except where shown.
Trustees
Sam Cooper Jamie Galloway Georgina Bagshawe William Makower Jun Park
Key management peronnel
The Trustees consider that they comprise the key management of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the charity on a day to day basis.
None of the Trustees received any remuneration for their services as Trustees (2024 - none).
Statement of Trustees responsibilities
The Trustees (who are also directors of The National Funding Scheme for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trusteesi: report and 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 which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period.
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In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102); - make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; state whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
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The National Funding Scheme
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 30 September 2025
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that 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, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulation 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.
Objectives and activities
Principal Aims, Objectives and Activities
Public benefit
The National Funding Scheme offers public benefit by making charitable giving accessible and convenient for both charitable organisations and the public. The DONATE platform streamlines fundraising for diverse causes, from national charities to local community projects and by providing secure and easy-to-use digital tools. Our work increases donation opportunities for individuals and boosts vital financial support for charitable organisations, helping them deliver essential services, research, and initiatives that benefit society.
The platform develops a culture of giving, helpng more people contribute to causes they care about, ultimately strengthening community support and impact.
The State of Charitable Giving in the UK
The trustees recognise that the wider charitable fundraising environment continues to face significant structural and economic pressures.
Findings published in the 2026 UK Giving Report by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) highlight both the challenges and opportunities currently shaping charitable giving across the UK.
The report identified a continued long-term decline in the number of people giving to charity. Since 2016, the proportion of UK adults donating or sponsoring for charity has fallen from 69% to 55%, representing an estimated reduction of around six million donors over the past decade. At the same time, the total value donated by the public fell from £15.4 billion in 2024 to £14 billion in 2025, reflecting ongoing cost of-living pressures affecting households across the UK.
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The National Funding Scheme
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 30 September 2025
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Figure 1. Proportion of psopl@ who donated or sponsored someone in the past 12 months.
69%
61% 60%
,o� -
- :i2•.C
-a%-
21% 21%
201£ 201J 201B 2019 2020 2021 2022 l02A 2025
- or - Donated to ri - for
Comb·ned donated sponsored cha ty Spons.o.red someone chi!ritv
&x! All �dEfu.. 2DJi,. .N=l,.137; 2:0n, �:z,211; :za:&,. .N='D,711; 20&, .N=l�<M,
2Q'Zl1 N=q.4C.6;'20'll,.N=13,S1�20'22,.N=J.3,140;m:3,.N:=ll_.164;m4,�3,45'Jo;lll?:5,H'=tz,'l
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55% The proportion of UK adults donating or sponsoring for charity has declined from 69% in 2016 to in 2025, reinforcing the need for accessible and innovative fundraising approaches.
For the trustees, these findings reinforce the importance of the National Funding Scheme's mission to support accessible, trusted and digitally enabled charitable giving. As charities compete for public attention and support in an increasingly challenging environment, the ability to make giving simple, immediate and engaging remains critically important.
The research also highlights the growing importance of donor trust and transparency. Individuals with high levels of trust in charities are significantly more likely to donate, to give larger amounts and to support a wider range of causes. Donors are increasingly motivated by clear demonstrations of impact, personal connection and visible outcomes within their communities.
The trustees therefore continue to place importance on supporting fundraising approaches that strengthen donor confidence, improve engagement and enable charities and cultural organisations to communicate their impact clearly and effectively.
4
The National Funding Scheme
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued) Year ended 30 September 2025
PEOPLE WITH THE HIGHEST TRUST IN CHARITIES ARE:
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Giving much larger
Much more likely to donate amounts on average
On -average £99 from thoa with
high trust versu■ £43 from thoH
with low trust.
Twice as likely to have
More likely to give used a charity
internationally
Of tho .. with high trust, 57X
59¾ of those with high tru:iit: used ■ charity, such as a museum,.
versu'II 34¾ of those with low trust . ;ardon or for adoption of a pot
• ver 28¾ of those with low trust.
Supporting more causes
More likely to plan
on average
their giving in advance
Apprm 2.8 causes are supported
by those with high trust ver.;us 1.9 Of thoso with hi;h trust, 34X plan
by th ooe with low trust. vem,1 24X of low-trust donors.
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High-trust respondents said that they think most ch.aritie-s are '\lery trustworthy'. Low-trust fl!':spondents said � think most chart es are 'not \ler( or 'not ai air trus.1worthy. Base: lower trust in charities. N=Z.421.; higher trust Wl char N:1730.
Higher public trust in charities is strongly associated with greater participation, larger donations and longer-term supporter engagement.
Digital fundraising channels also continue to play an increasingly important role within the sector. CAF's research found that a substantial proportion of giving now takes place through digital platforms, including fundraising websites, apps, crowdfunding platforms and social media channels. Many donations are now spontaneous or appeal-led, underlining the importance of reducing friction in the giving process and enabling supporters to respond quickly at moments of engagement.
The trustees believe that the National Funding Scheme's continued focus on digital giving infrastructure, audience engagement and innovation remains closely aligned with these broader sector trends.
Alongside these challenges, the research also demonstrated the enduring strength of community-based giving and locally connected causes. Donations are frequently driven by personal experiences, local relationships and a desire to contribute to causes that people feel directly connected to. The trustees recognise the continuing importance of helping organisations build these meaningful local connections with supporters and communities.
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The National Funding Scheme
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 30 September 2025
Against this backdrop National Funding Scheme plays its part in both helping organisation transform to offer digital giving whilst increasing the number and diversity of donors across all geographies and sections of society. We see this work as supporting the benefits of both giving and receiving.
We continue to support charities in their adoption of digital fundraising by educating and explaining the importance of Gift Aid and the significant benefits of encouraging regular donations. We support these areas of education by simplifying how donors can add Gift Aid to both text and web donations as well as offering secure and easy routes to regular donations.
We encourage charities to be effective in telling stories about their work and how individual donations support both restricted and non-restricted areas of expenditure. We provide advice, templates, case studies and links to third party services eg Canva, Relevant Now and other online and free services that will support charities in promoting their impact and work.
We continue to invest in the development of the platform provided under licence by Digital Information and Giving (DIG) Ltd. Together with DIG we continue to improve not only the resilience and security of the DONATE platform but also improve the overall user experience for both organisations and donors.
The National Funding Scheme remains committed to supporting charities and cultural organisations in adapting to these changing patterns of public engagement and philanthropy through innovation, accessibility and digital engagement.
Activities and Achievements
During the year major re-developments were made of a number of systems. These included the total re-build of the donor facing platform and the portal used by charity administrators to both open and run their accounts as well as manage ongoing campaigns, raffles and auctions.
The major piece of improved functionality was a re-design and build of the auction functionality. Additionally, a new and refreshed re-design was brought in that will be replicated next year across other public-facing areas.
During the year over 221 Oust under 1 per working day) charitable organisations applied to join DONATE. Many of these were schools, churches and other organisations where digital giving has become an increasingly important part of their generalised giving.
Over the year, total funds raised (including Gift Aid) was £504,857 (2024: £574,402). The decrease in giving is disappointing but is caused by the ongoing impact of the cost-of-living crisis and the disproportionate impact this had on generalised low-level giving.
The charity continues to make a small trading surplus and constantly keeps its marketing and general overheads under review.
6
The National Funding Scheme
Company Limited by Guarantee
Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report) (continued)
Year ended 30 September 2025
Small company provisions
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies exemption.
23 Jun 2026
The trustees' annual report was approved on .............................. and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:
Jamie Galloway (Jun 23, 2026, 10:16am)
J Galloway Trustee
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The National Funding Scheme
Company Limited by Guarantee
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The National Funding
Scheme (continued)
Year ended 30 September 2025
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The National Funding Scheme ('the charity') for the year ended 30 September 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the 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 the 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 charity'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 the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), which is one of the 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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
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the financial statements 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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the financial statements 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.
23 Jun 2026
Stephen Frost (Jun 23, 2026, 11 :09am) Mr Stephen J Frost ACA Independent Examiner
Unit C, Regent House 9 Crown Square Poundbury Dorset DT1 3DY
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23 Jun 2026
The National Funding Scheme
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements
Year ended 30 September 2025
1. General information
The charity is a public benefit entity and a private company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is 1 Golden Court, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1 EU.
2. Statement of compliance
These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the 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)) and the Companies Act 2006.
3. Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.
Going concern
There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular future project or commitment.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds.
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The National Funding Scheme
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 30 September 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity; it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:
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income from donations or grants is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement to the gift, receipt is probable and its amount can be measured reliably.
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legacy income is recognised when receipt is probable and entitlement is established.
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income from donated goods is measured at the fair value of the goods unless this is impractical to measure reliably, in which case the value is derived from the cost to the donor or the estimated resale value. Donated facilities and services are recognised in the accounts when received if the value can be reliably measured. No amounts are included for the contribution of general volunteers.
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income from contracts for the supply of services is recognised with the delivery of the contracted service. This is classified as unrestricted funds unless there is a contractual requirement for it to be spent on a particular purpose and returned if unspent, in which case it may be regarded as restricted.
Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates:
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expenditure on raising funds includes the costs of all fundraising activities, events, non charitable trading activities, and the sale of donated goods.
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expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs incurred by a charity in undertaking activities that further its charitable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries, including those support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities.
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other expenditure includes all expenditure that is neither related to raising funds for the charity nor part of its expenditure on charitable activities.
All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.
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The National Funding Scheme
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 30 September 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Intangible assets
Intangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and are subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated amortisation and impairment losses. Any intangible assets carried at revalued amounts, are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation, as determined by reference to an active market, less any subsequent accumulated amortisation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.
Intangible assets acquired as part of a business combination are only recognised separately from goodwill when they arise from contractual or other legal rights, are separable, the expected future economic benefits are probable and the cost or value can be measured reliably.
Amortisation
Amortisation is calculated so as to write off the cost of an asset, less its estimated residual value, over the useful life of that asset as follows:
Software Licence
33% straight line
If there is an indication that there has been a significant change in amortisation rate, useful life or residual value of an intangible asset, the amortisation is revised prospectively to reflect the new estimates.
Research and development
Research expenditure is written off in the period in which it is incurred.
Development expenditure incurred is capitalised as an intangible asset only when all of the following criteria are met:
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It is technically feasible to complete the intangible asset so that it will be available for use or sale;
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There is the intention to complete the intangible asset and use or sell it;
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There is the ability to use or sell the intangible asset;
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The use or sale of the intangible asset will generate probable future economic benefits;
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There are adequate technical, financial and other resources available to complete the development and to use or sell the intangible asset; and
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The expenditure attributable to the intangible asset during its development can be measured reliably.
Expenditure that does not meet the above criteria is expensed as incurred.
Impairment of fixed assets
A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date.
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The National Funding Scheme
Company Limited by Guarantee
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 30 September 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Impairment of fixed assets (continued)
For the purposes of impairment testing, when it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, an estimate is made of the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. The cash-generating unit is the smallest identifiable group of assets that includes the asset and generates cash inflows that largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets.
For impairment testing of goodwill, the goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each of the cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the charity are assigned to those units.
Financial instruments
A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the charity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or payable including any related transaction costs.
Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted.
Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost.
Where investments in shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured reliably, the investment is subsequently measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in income and expenditure. All other such investments are subsequently measured at cost less impairment.
Other financial instruments, including derivatives, are initially recognised at fair value, unless payment for an asset is deferred beyond normal business terms or financed at a rate of interest that is not a market rate, in which case the asset is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.
Other financial instruments are subsequently measured at fair value, with any changes recognised in the statement of financial activities, with the exception of hedging instruments in a designated hedging relationship.
Financial assets that are measured at cost or amortised cost are reviewed for objective evidence of impairment at the end of each reporting date. If there is objective evidence of impairment, an impairment loss is recognised under the appropriate heading in the statement of financial activities in which the initial gain was recognised.
For all equity instruments regardless of significance, and other financial assets that are individually significant, these are assessed individually for impairment. Other financial assets are either assessed individually or grouped on the basis of similar credit risk characteristics.
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The Trustees acknowledge the considerable support given by many individuals and organisations.
William Makower is a shareholder director of Digital Innovation and Growth (DIG) Ltd and a serving Trustee of The National Funding Scheme.