Megafaun.org Report and Financial Statements
Year ended Dec 31, 2023 Charity No. 1151777
Megafaun.org
Report and Financial Statements Year ended Dec 31, 2023 Charity No. 1151777
Principal office 915 Frobisher Crescent, Barbican, London EC2Y 8HD
Trustees Dr William Lyons Ms Austa Cochran Mr Costanzo Capecce
Bankers Metro Bank, One Southampton Row, London, WC1B 5HA
Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 December 2023
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with charity’s constitution, the Charities Act 1993 and the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities published in 2005.
Structure, governance and management
Megafaun.org operates as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), proudly registered under charity number 1151777. Our foundational structure and guiding principles are delineated in our constitution, which was thoughtfully adopted on January 30, 2013.
In our governance model, the authority and decision-making responsibilities rest exclusively with our charity trustees, each of whom must be a natural person. These trustees are appointed through a formal process, requiring a resolution passed at a meeting of the existing trustees, convened specifically for this purpose.
During their meetings, our trustees collaborate to shape the overarching strategy and define the key areas of focus for the CIO. This collaborative process encompasses a wide range of important activities, including strategizing on grant-making, fundraising initiatives, investment policies, and overall performance evaluation. Additionally, the collective group of trustees is actively involved in the review and processing of grant applications, ensuring a thorough and conscientious approach to our philanthropic efforts.
Financial review
Reserves
As a burgeoning Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), Megafaun.org is still in the process of establishing a stable and sustainable financial foundation. Given this phase of our development, we have not yet implemented a formal reserves policy. This is partly due to the fact that, currently, our organization does not have any future commitments or liabilities that necessitate reserving funds. Additionally, we operate with minimal overhead costs, allowing us to direct the majority of our resources towards our core mission and activities. As we continue to grow and stabilize our income and expenditure patterns, we will consider the development of a reserves policy that aligns with our long-term strategic goals.
Investment policy and performance
In the financial year 2023, Megafaun.org maintained a cautious and prudent investment approach. All of our cash reserves were securely held as deposits with our banking partners. This strategy was chosen to ensure the safety and liquidity of our funds, aligning with our current financial management objectives.
All securities are kept on record at the relevant company registrars.
Megafaun.org did not hold any funds in the capacity of a custodian trustee for other entities or individuals during this period. Our financial resources were solely dedicated to supporting our own organizational goals and activities.
Public benefit statement
In our steadfast commitment to public benefit, the trustees of Megafaun.org have conscientiously referred to the Charity Commission's comprehensive guidance on public benefit. This guidance, coupled with the directives in section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011, has been instrumental in shaping our review and refinement of the CIO's aims and objectives.
This diligent consultation has also guided our strategic planning for future activities and has been pivotal in the formulation of our grant-making policy for the year. Our trustees have endeavored to ensure that all of our decisions and plans align closely with the principles of public benefit, reflecting our dedication to making a meaningful and positive impact through our work.
Objectives
The core mission of Megafaun.org is centered on the promotion of environmental conservation, with a specific focus on enhancing and preserving biodiversity. Our primary method for achieving this goal is through the provision of grants. These grants are allocated to institutions and individuals who are engaged in activities and projects that align with our vision of a thriving, diverse natural world.
By channeling our resources in this way, we aim to make a significant and lasting impact on the conservation of the physical and natural environment, supporting efforts that contribute to the health and vitality of our planet.
Activity
In 2023, Megafaun.org engaged in a thorough and conscientious evaluation of various grant opportunities. Despite our active search, we did not identify any projects or initiatives that fully aligned with our specific aims and objectives. This included our focused efforts in fossa conservation in Madagascar, where, unfortunately, no new field researchers emerged as potential partners for our continued commitment in this area.
Additionally, 2023 was a year in which we did not conduct active fundraising campaigns, and as a result, did not generate new funding streams.
Grant making policy
At Megafaun.org, our grant-making policy is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that each project we support offers tangible and significant benefits to conservation efforts, particularly for threatened species. Our approach is to carefully weigh these benefits against any potential negative impacts, ensuring a responsible and impactful use of our resources.
Focus Areas for Grant Support
1. Species Criteria:
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We prioritize species listed as Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically
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Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
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Preference is given to species that lack general public awareness and
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are not widely recognized for their conservation status.
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We focus on apex species vital to their ecosystems or those that are
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range-restricted endemics.
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Our support is directed towards species not already benefiting from extensive research and conservation efforts.
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Team Requirements:
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Applicants should demonstrate sound financial management
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practices.
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A proven track record of research suitable for peer-reviewed
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publication is essential.
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We value teams with clear plans for sharing and publishing the
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knowledge and insights they gain.
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An ability to monitor and evaluate the impact of the grant relative to the stated objectives is crucial.
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Conservation Philosophy:
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Our philosophy embraces multiple approaches to conservation,
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recognizing the value of diversity in strategies.
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Projects that aim to benefit entire ecosystems through a focus on a
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key species are highly regarded.
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We encourage initiatives that actively involve local communities and
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stakeholders, fostering mutual benefits.
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Approaches that promote consensus and education, especially in contexts of human-animal conflict, are favored.
In essence, Megafaun.org is committed to supporting conservation projects that are not only scientifically rigorous and ecologically significant but also inclusive and community-oriented. Our goal is to fund initiatives that not only protect species and habitats but also empower and educate the communities that coexist with them.
Trustees’ responsibilities in relation to the financial statements
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards. The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustee(s) 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 of the charity 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; observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP; make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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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 accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the charity and enable them to ascertain to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 1993, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the constitution. 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. The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity’s website.
Receipts and Payments (GBP)
| Receipts and Payments (GBP) | |
|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted Endowment Total Last Year |
| Receipts Donations 0 Interest 0 Asset and investment sales and liquidations 4,210 Total Receipts 4,210 Payments Administration 0 Asset and investment purchases 0 Cost of generating income 0 Research Grants 0 Total Payments 0 Net Received/Paid 0 Transfers between funds 0 Cash funds last year-end 43,460 Cash funds this year-end 47,570 |
|
| 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4,210 16,251 0 0 4,210 16,251 |
|
| 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 43,460 27,109 0 0 47,570 43,460 |
Statement of assets and liabilities at end of period (GBP)
| Statement of assets and liabilities at end of period (GBP) | |
|---|---|
| Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Cash funds 47,570 0 0 Other monetary assets 0 0 0 Investment assets 3,270 0 0 Assets for own use 0 0 0 |
Total 47,570 0 3,270 0 |
| Liabilities 0 0 0 |
0 |
Approved by the trustees on 19 February 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
W Lyons W LYONS, CHAIR of TRUSTEES