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← We Are Purposeful

2023-08-31-accounts

Company Registration Number: 10346701 Charity Registration Number: 1169844

We Are Purposeful Ltd (a company limited by guarantee)

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year ending 31 August 2023

We Are Purposeful Ltd Studio 3b, Blue House Yard, 5 River Park Road, London N22 7TB wearepurposeful.org Company Number 10346701

We Are Purposeful Ltd Contents

Reference and Administrative Detail 3-5
Trustees’ Report 6-22
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities 23
Independent Auditor’s Report 24-28
Statement of Financial Activities 29
Balance Sheet 30
Cash Flow Statement 31
Notes to the Financial Statements 32-49

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Reference and Administrative Details

Company Registered Number 10346701 Charity Registered Number 1169844 The charity is incorporated in England and Wales.

Principle Offices:

Studio 3b Blue House Yard 2 Lewis Drive 5 River Park Road Hill Station Wood Green Freetown London Sierra Leone N22 7TB UK

The charity is governed by the Board of Trustees. The trustees are responsible for overseeing the management of all the affairs of Purposeful and delegate day-to-day management of the charity to the Executive Leadership Team.

The Advisory Board in Sierra Leone provides an advisory role and continues to play a vital role in Purposeful’s development and programming. The boards consist of:

Incoming Board of Trustees Appointed Designation
Ms Maheen Kaleem 15 March 2024 Chairperson/President
Ms Fanta Toure 15 March 2024 Secretary
Ms Mariama Jalloh-Heyward 15 March 2024 Treasurer
Mrs Annemarieke Clarke 15 March 2024 Trustee
Ms Tynesha McHarris 15 March 2024 Trustee
Ms Andrea Lynch 22 May 2024
Trustee
Ms Nana Darkoa Sehyiamah 15 March 2024 Trustee
Outgoing Board of Trustees Appointed Resigned
Mrs Margaret Collier 25 August 2016 31 March 2024
Mrs Christina Fuller 25 August 2016 31 March 2024
Rev Dr Marie Barnett (Chair) 2 July 2019 15 March 2024
Mrs Chloe Pope 20 April 2020 31 March 2024
Dr Ramatu Bangura 31 July 2020 19 February 2024

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Sierra Leone Advisory Board

Mrs Asmaa James

Dr Farouk Sessay

Mrs Valnora Edwin

With and For Girls Strategic Advisory Board

Empower FRIDA – The Young Feminist Fund MamaCash The Global Fund For Children The Global Fund For Women Foundation For A Just Society

Purposeful - Executive Leadership Team

Chernor Bah Co- founder / co-CEO Rosa Bransky Co-Founder / co-CEO Sian Lord Baptiste – Chief of Organisational Effectiveness Annie Murthi – Director of Finance - Left on the 13th July 2023 Ester Nyazvigo - Director of Finance - Started on the 24th July 2023

Senior Leadership Team

Aminata Kamara - Co-Head, Resourcing Resistance Liesel Bakker - Co-Head, Resourcing Resistance Haja Sowa - Head of Programmes Josephine Kamara - Head of Media, Advocacy and Communications Hawa Brima - Head of Operations

Safeguarding Team

Chernor Bah Designated Safeguarding Lead Aminata Kamara Designated Safeguarding Person – Resourcing Resistance Haja Sowa Designated Safeguarding Person – Programmes Haja Umu Jalloh Designated Safeguarding Person – Programmes Yeiwah Kaindaneh Designated Safeguarding Person – Media, Advocacy and Comms Valnora Edwin Designated Safeguarding Person – Advisor Board Sierra Leone Dr Ramatu Bangura Designated Safeguarding Person – UK Board

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Professional Advisors

The following organisations provide professional advice and services to Purposeful:

Banks

NatWest Commercial & Private Banking Ground Floor Gredley House 1-11 Broadway, Stratford, E15 4WG UK

Guaranty Trust Bank (SL) Ltd Sparta Building Freetown Sierra Leone

United Bank for Africa SL (Limited) Charlotte Street Freetown Sierra Leone

Solicitors

Bates Wells 10 Queen Street Place London EC4R 1BE UK Covington and Burling LPP The New York Times Building 620 Eighth Ave New York United States

Renner Thomas Solicitors Top Floor, 81 Pademba Road Freetown Sierra Leone

Auditor

Moore Kingston Smith Moore Sierra Leone 6[th] Floor 55 Sir Samuel Lewis Road 9 Appold Street Freetown London 1278 EC2A 2AP Sierra Leone UK

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Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31st August 2023

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP

Purposeful is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated under the name of Purposeful Productions on the 28th August 2016, and registered as a charity with the UK Charity Commission. On 9th March 2021 the name was changed to We Are Purposeful to better align to the values, ethos and activities of the charity. The charity’s articles of association provide that its trustees are the only members of the charity.

Its principal office is Studio 3b, Blue House Yard, 5 River Park Road, Wood Green, London N22 7TB, with a country office located at 2 Lewis Drive, Hill Station, Freetown, Sierra Leone. The charity is governed by the Board of Trustees. The trustees are responsible for overseeing the management of all the affairs of Purposeful and delegate day-to-day management of the charity to the Executive Leadership Team. The trustees hold indemnity insurance.

WHO WE ARE – OUR VALUES AND MISSION

At Purposeful, the future moves to the collective power of girls. Headquartered in Sierra Leone, we are the world’s first Africa-rooted, global hub to resource girls’ resistance. We centre girls and young feminists’ own visions, realities, power—and liberation. And in their activism, a new world is being born.

All across the globe, girls and young feminists are organising, pushing back, and demanding a future of justice, dignity, and joy. The status quo - from policy and funding to culture and systems - is set up to separate girls and young women from their power, and splinter and divide everyone else. On the other side of girls’ resistance is freedom, for girls - and for everyone else, if we have the courage to follow their lead, work together, and move differently. At Purposeful, we invite the world to step into the future we need.

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Our vision:

Girls are living in safety, dignity and freedom, and the world is transformed.

Our Values:

A set of core beliefs and values guide all that we do at Purposeful, from the decisions we make to our organisational policies and practices, and most importantly, how we show up in this work as girls’ allies and advocates, holding ground so that girls can step into their power.

What We Do:

We work in four roles: centering feminist education as the bedrock of social justice movements; holding space for girls to build a base for their shared struggles or disrupting spaces where girls have been ignored or shut out; amplifying girls’ voices to make sure they are heard in all realms of power, and most importantly; moving money directly into their hands, and where they are, so that power and money is returned at scale to those whom it has always really belonged.

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LETTER FROM THE CHAIR

As the world continues to cycle through a never ending phase of crisis, Purposeful has come to represent a safe haven, a hub, a home for girls and their allies across the world. I am particularly proud of the way in which the organisation has continued to weather the storm in the face of unprecedented external pressures. Our extraordinary team continues to show up for the girls and young feminists who are so usually pushed out, shut out or forgotten in mainstream Development and Philanthropic practice. It is a testament to their vision, values and ethic that I am able to share such a wide ranging set of achievements for this year, some highlights of which include;

What a remarkable set of achievements as we draw the curtains on our first five years as an organisation. I cannot wait to see what the next five will bring.

Onwards in solidarity,

Maheen Kaleem Chair of the Purposeful Board of Trustees Date: 21 August 2024

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PURPOSEFUL TRUSTEES’ REPORT

Programmatic Issues Purposeful has Supported:

Abortion Assistance / Rights, Access to Education, Afro-descendants Rights, Arts and Creativity, Activism, Climate Justice, Civil Society, Digital Safety, Disability Justice, Early and Forced Marriage, Economic Empowerment, Gender Equality, Tackling Violence Against Girls and Women, Indigenous Rights, LGBTQIA+ Trans Rights, Migration and Displacement, Mobilisation / Strengthening Movements, Participation and Democracy, Peace Building, Sex Workers’ Rights, Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, Youth Rights and Girls’ Rights.

Key Initiatives September 2022 - August 2023:

Resourcing Resistance

Programmes

Media, Advocacy and Comms (MAC)

Learning and Insights

AN OVERVIEW OF OUR CORE PROJECTS THIS YEAR

RESOURCING RESISTANCE:

The With and For Girls Fund

Grounded in feminist principles of solidarity and reciprocity, we continue reimagining what it means to hold movement resources in deep relationship and with deep accountability to girls. Our With and For Girls Fund centres girls at the heart of decision-making, taking a participatory approach to where we move money. Our advisors continue to help us move funding to the most impactful girl and young women-led groups across the world.

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Through the With and For Girls Fund, we seek to be in a deep relationship with girls and their allies that we resource, based on their needs rather than the grant that they apply for. The depth of our relationship is not just in time and resources, it is also a moment of intense connection and support. It works to build trust and honest relationships with girls so they can guide us to support them in the ways they need.

Throughout this period, the majority of resources we distribute have been as renewals to existing grantees as flexible funds and core support, allowing groups to define their own budgets and dedicate funds to where they believe it is most needed. In particular, the funds were used to cover traditionally and increasingly underfunded areas like overheads and general operating costs.

Some of the types of funding we have, and continue to offer, include but are not limited to:

The Global Resilience Fund (GRF)

From Syria to Ukraine, to Congo, to Palestine, to Afghanistan, to Guatemala - the world over - crisis have persisted over the past year, all interconnected with systemic injustices. With ongoing wars and armed conflict, worsening climate crisis, the highest ever number of people in displacement and rising inequality, humanitarian and chronic intersecting crisis are only expected to worsen. Despite being disproportionately impacted by crisis, girls and young feminists continue to show up in consistent, brave, and creative ways for their communities.

The Global Resilience Fund moved over $450,000 USD to 11 countries to respond to crises ranging from earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, to political unrest, war, armed conflict, forced migration and displacement, and backlash and persecution. We have supported activists with accompaniment and access to platforms to connect with other donors and access new funds, document their stories and human rights violations, and support their healing and mental health.

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While every crisis is different, there are consistent ways girls and young women organise:

Some of our broader response efforts include: Ukraine : organising activist-funder dialogues to provide a chance for girls and young activists to share their realities. In partnership with activists and funders, we developed a publication that highlighted the frontline response efforts of young activists. Sudan : we organised a public forum on how Sudanese young people and girls are impacted by the crisis and what transformative solidarity looks like - the dialogue was documented in this article. In the wake of the Syria and Turkey earthquake we moved direct resources to over 20 groups responding in their communities. We have continued to co-create spaces of collective care and healing with groups in crisis across the SWANA regions.

Our donor organising and documentation also expanded. In partnership with MADRE and the Global Fund for Women, we launched a landscaping study on girls and humanitarian resourcing by Nana Darkoa Sehyiamah and Claire Provost, to be shared at CSW 2024. In partnership with the Feminist Humanitarian Network, and Children’s Rights Innovation Fund, we held a space for young activists to share their work at the Humanitarian Leadership Conference. In partnership with UNICEF, we co-organised a Resourcing Girls Adolescent Girls Learning Circle, bringing together private and bilateral funders. The space aims to unlock resources and deepen accountability for girls. Solidarity and collaboration between funders, coming together in moments of crisis has been critical.

With and For Girls Collective (WFG Collective)

The Collective is a group of justice funders committed to resourcing girls activism for the long term. Made up of Women’s funds, International NGOs, Public and Private Foundations. The WFG Collective is the only collaborative of its kind, drawing from different points in the girls funding ecosystem. They continue to use their insights and influence from across philanthropic and development spaces to support a learning and advocacy agenda that will transform our own practices and the practices across philanthropy.

The WFG Collective members approved a five-year learning and advocacy agenda this year after a near nine-month process of collaborative partner and stakeholder discussions. The advocacy goals are:

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Each advocacy goal has a set of tracking and learning questions attached to it. Additionally, each year, we will set a learning agenda for the following year in order to go deep into topic areas that will transform our own practices and the practices across philanthropy. For 2022/23, our learning agenda focused on:

We have worked with a small working group of WFG Collective partners to develop a taxonomy to help track not only funding from the Collective but a wider offering to the ecosystem more broadly.

PROGRAMMES:

Girls’ Circles Collectives (GCC)

For over three years, GCC has been bringing girls together in ways that enable them to analyse the roots of their oppression, strategise for individual and collective change, and access resources and assets to bring their strategies to life. We have worked with five local partners across six districts in Sierra Leone and they have been supported with unrestricted grants as they continue to support girls in their communities and their organisational goals.

Girls are meeting in autonomous girl-only spaces, where they come together, learn together, build trust, exchange strategies, and foster collective power. Groups of girls meet with their young women mentors (approximately 548 across the programme), once a week, across six districts of Sierra Leone.

We have shifted money to girls and their mentors through mentors’ stipends, refreshment budgets, and unrestricted resources (micro-grants) for girls’ organising put directly in the hands of girls. A total of 114 grants reached 5,103 girls and 209 mentors with a total sum of $74,190 USD. This money, in its different forms, fuels their ability to act, dream, make choices, and to transform their communities.

With the resources, across our network of young women mentors, we know that many are using their stipends to take national exams and/or return to education in 2022/2023.

‘They can confidently speak up for themselves. They know their rights and what their parents should and should not do to them. They know what men should not do to them. They know that early marriage is wrong.’ - Mentor, Falaba

‘I now do business and business is flowing… I don’t ask men for money anymore. Even if I visit a man, I don’t feel pressure to have sex with them and can leave at any time because I don’t have to depend on them to give me money for transport’. - Girl (17), W/A Rural

‘When girls have money, they can do business and take care of themselves. Men can no longer take advantage of me because I have my own money and don’t need them to support me.’ - Girl (18), Bombali

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Karo Kura Konection

We have continued to support mentors to deliver life skills through a weekly radio drama and talk show. Series 3 and 4 have been aired over the last year, complemented by a series of audio and written offerings, including discussion guides, videos and music, providing an indepth reflection and conversation on consciousness-raising and resistance.

Mentors Academy

We continued to support our Feminist Mentors’ Academy, accompanying a group of 50 mentors on a personal journey of discovery, solidarity, and joy, grounded in feminist education, somatic approaches, and movement-building theory. We also subtly embed feminist education in our radio drama and talk show. We have had three gatherings with the 50 mentors and concluded with a mentors festival where they curated activities showcasing what they have learned together both individually and collectively. These young women have formed a movement to address issues affecting them in their communities as they will continue to support other young women and girls through their self-discovery.

Wati Kura

As part of our initiative to end FGM/C in Sierra Leone, we have worked in solidarity with four local organisations, girl activists, and feminist allies, to create sustained action to end FGM/C. Through the grant given to these local organisations, they have engaged in community dialogue and activities, sparking cultural conversations to eliminate harmful practices, embracing an alternative rite of passage, and amplifying voices to shift the narrative around gender, power, and FGM.

Partners engagement in actions to end FGM/C is having a positive impact in communities, with a raised commitment to ending FGM/C and embracing the culture with an alternative right of passage. In three districts in Sierra Leone, 76 Soweis (those who carry out the practice) have registered to stop, in addition to 18 ex-soweis who have now stopped the practice of FGM/C. Also, 12 Chiefs in the same districts have committed to end FGM/C in their communities and are actively involved in all community engagement and campaigns against FGM/C.

Salone Adolescent Girls Network

Purposeful is the convener for the Salone Adolescent Girls Network, a coalition of over 160 local, national and international organisations in Sierra Leone. The network shares resources and evidence-based best practice and coordinates, campaigns and catalyses collective voice with and on behalf of girls. The unprecedented power of so many organisations speaking with one voice and one vision across spaces and places in Sierra Leone has meant a level of attention and resources for girls unimaginable even a few years ago.

Our coalition-building initiative has continued to create an impact by strengthening and coordinating the network initiatives. The network has elected new steering committee members composed of local and INGO staff to move the network activities. They have held quarterly coalition-building meetings at a national and district level.

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MEDIA, ADVOCACY AND COMMS (MAC)

International Platforms and Events

The significance of Purposeful as a key actor in the field has been leveraged through a commitment to increasing strategic team presence at sector events and international conferences. Over the year, the team led on a CSW67 side event - receiving feedback from multiple sources as one of the most powerful events of the fortnight - with four other events and as speakers on multiple panels. The Head of MAC opened the London WOW Festival on the main stage with Julia Gilliard, Former Prime Minister of Australia. Similarly, the strategic decision to sponsor and attend Women Deliver was to ensure participation as main stage panellists, to lead a side event, and to mobilise six partners to collaborate in delivering a Girls’ Resistance Space programme that spanned the five days and acted as a visible hub for our work. The conference put into the sharpest focus, the disconnect between the rhetoric being used in the sector and what it actually takes to meaningfully resource girls’ work. The political tensions were apparent in the space with the language of girls’ work being co-opted and depoliticised, and all this has served to further underline a MAC strategic goal to amplify the power of young feminist movements and support young activists to tell their own stories. During the year, we further leveraged the online space in holding four webinars, centred around Disability Justice, Resourcing Resistance and Reframing the Language of FGM, along with the series of birthday season publications, with registrations of 200+ from 40+ countries in each case.

Digital Campaigns

Purposeful celebrated its five-year anniversary with a communications campaign Seasons of the Moon activated across 5 phases between October 2022 - May 2023. This birthday season was delivered through vibrant web content that unveiled the Purposeful ‘story, spaces and seismic shifts in the world’ and grounded our practices, politics and policies in the public domain by releasing 18 new publications, 13 blog pieces and 3 films. We began a regular bimonthly newsletter that has seen a dramatic increase in subscribers to 3,600 since the ACSHR conference that Purposeful convened, and we moved from social media consultancy support to delivering all content in-house and almost-daily. All channels have seen exponential growth in reach over the past year with over 6,500 X followers, 3,300 Instagram followers, and 3,500 on LinkedIn since starting the channel 18 months ago.

GEWE Act, Child Rights Act & Spotlight on FGM

Sierra Leone enacted the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act following 13 months of negotiations that were contributed by Purposeful as a member of the Technical Committee. This groundbreaking law was announced in January 2023 and positioned Purposeful as a key player in subsequent CSW communications and panel events to announce the provisions, with our Senior Legal Advisor appointed to draft the regulations for implementation.

Sierra Leone is in the process of amending the Child Rights Act, and Purposeful was a participant in the review process. Of particular interest are two landmark new sections of the Bill. One criminalises FGM of girls (any girl under the age of 18). The other sets the age of marriage for all at 18 years-old.

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In April 2023, we accelerated our campaigning with community organisations, movement leaders and legal experts, and launched a landmark strategic litigation for two legal cases with the IHRDA and FAHP in the effort to end FGM in Sierra Leone - one in the domestic courts of Sierra Leone and the other at the Economic Community of West Africa States Community Court of Justice. Our press announcement picked up international media interest later in 2023, and the cases are still live. During this period, the team produced a documentary film highlighting the moves of Sierra Leonean women, and has facilitated dialogue and community engagement workshops to grow shared understanding and build advocacy for this work.

Karo Kura Radio Broadcast - Girl Centred Media

The MAC team, in close collaboration with the Programmes and Learning and Insights teams, developed and delivered a fourth series of the weekly radio drama Karo Kura Kompin, and its talkshow, Karo Kura Konection. This season, we introduced a debate show element, Kapu Sens to further explore the themes and issues that arose in the drama. The team co-wrote and published with Learning and Insights a new publication to spotlight the unique behaviour change methodology and celebrate the impact of girl-centred media in Sierra Leone, now broadcasting to 38 national stations weekly to an estimated 500,000 listeners. As Karo Kura has broadened its reach it is currently deepening new storylines around FGM, the process of contextualisation with girls’ lived experience is more important than ever. The team is in development for Series 5 and holding Listening Circles and Development Circles with Girls’ Circles Collectives mentors and girls, before production is underway towards broadcasting in 2024.

Circles of Us Fellowship

Over the course of one year, the MAC team launched and delivered a filmmaking and storytelling fellowship with 20 adolescent girls and young women from Sierra Leone, Kenya, and Tanzania to be part of a transcontinental space to reflect on and share their own stories, and those of others in their communities. In partnership with International Resource for Impact and Storytelling (IRIS) and Our Collective Practice, the project has equipped them with new storytelling, filmmaking and photography skills, which they have used to amplify their stories and political organising around resisting marriage, violence, pregnancy, FGM, LGBTQIA+ rights, disability rights, and the fight to stay in school. The project continues through to October 2023 and will culminate in global dissemination of their films.

LEARNING AND INSIGHTS:

Our Learning Agenda

Key to this year was the publishing of our Learning Agenda as part of the birthday communications season. This practical and accessible report showed the radical distinction in our Learning & Insights approach to that of traditional monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) approaches that have so far defined the sector. It shared the principles and insights, and communicated our intentions to the world, holding us accountable to our partners and ultimately to the girls and young feminists we work with and for.

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Publications

Purposeful continued this year to facilitate and publish ground-breaking research and publications that centre the stories and experiences of the girls most removed from power. Together with our partners, we use these insights to advocate, with and for girls, at local, national and global levels. Learning & Insights reports produced during this year include; ‘Integrating Disability Justice into Girl-Centred Programming’, ‘Inside the Circle - building power through Girls’ Collectives in Sierra Leone’, ‘Resourcing Girls’ Resistance - emerging lessons from Sierra Leone’, and a foundational report charting and lifting the principles of the Purposeful journey; ‘5 Years of Resourcing Resistance: moving money to the margins.’

In collaboration with the MAC team, the team authored ‘Girl Centred Media as a Tool for Transformation’ and worked closely with the Resourcing Resistance team reports on ‘Resourcing Disability Justice’ and ‘Girls and Young Feminists at the Forefront Against Russia’s Imperialist War in Ukraine.’

The team’s research continued to be cited in INGO reports and academic articles. All the - reports and publications above can be found here: https://wearepurposeful.org/publications and-resources/

THE PURPOSEFUL TEAM

Purposeful continues to build an extraordinary team of leaders, activists and advocates with a diverse range of experience, knowledge and technical expertise. We have a team of 49 staff across continents, with the majority of staff based in Sierra Leone and the U.K. We continue to be supported by a number of freelance consultants who have brought their external expertise to developing our MEL, strategic plans and media products, and to advise on grantmaking and advocacy.

As a proudly feminist organisation with a deep commitment to embodying our values in all that we do, we have invested heavily in our collective political feminist education, sending staff on a pilot of the Feminist Night School sessions. Following a 4-day working week, we are an accredited 4-day a week employer which has impacted not only the team's commitment to work but also the quality of work / life balance.

In February 2023, the full Purposeful team came together for the first time since the pandemic for a staff retreat in Ghana. The focus was to re-connect and re-align with each other and the organisation's vision, ethos, and culture. In addition, a strategy process for organisational development and growth took place resulting in new team structures, roles, and a revision and reallocation of workstreams. New Head of Department roles were created for every department and four senior managers were promoted into those positions. The introduction of a senior management team at this level has not only reduced the line management responsibility and work load on the Executive Leadership Team but provided more clarity for the organisation in the following areas:

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Purposeful will continue to prioritise and strengthen organisational growth and development, and will be carrying out an independent Organisational Mapping Tool (OMT) Assessment in September 2024 which involves collective staff reflection of all areas of the charity and will result in clear recommendations for areas that need strengthening and development.

INTERNAL POLICIES AND COMPLIANCE:

Policy Development

Purposeful continues to consistently review and revise its internal policies, systems and processes to support the continued expansion of the organisation and projects. The management review and updating of policies are allocated to relevant heads of department who are responsible for the ongoing monitoring and implementation and ensure regular reviews and updates are made. Any amendments are then reviewed by Executive Leadership and presented to the Board for final approval.

Purposeful has undergone a number of external due diligence processes with funders this year including a rigorous FCDO assessment in which the organisation was deemed to have strong and robust policies appropriate for the organisation. They stated:

‘Purposeful has clear and appropriate processes and structures for deciding and implementing strategies and projects. These are backed by a comprehensive and well drafted set of policies to manage specific risk categories, including fiduciary risk.’

‘A combination of clear and enforced policies, an experienced team, and commitment to robust monitoring provide high levels of assurance that risks will be managed effectively’. ‘The operations and finance team supports delivery of the organisation’s activities. In both teams, there are highly skilled and experienced staff with clear segmented duties and responsibilities with clear policies and processes that underpins their work.’

‘It is positive that Purposeful has significant resource to ensure best practice on operations, HR, and finance.’

Purposeful also has an Equivalency Determination (ED) with NGO source which allows U.S. funders to check that a foreign grantee is the equivalent of a U.S. public charity and has the due diligence in place. The organisation's current ED expires in March 2024.

We are compliant with current data protection regulations but due to the growth of the organisation, we have identified the need to carry out an organisational review of data management, cyber and data security and IT processes to ensure that our information is safe and we remain compliant in this area. Planning for this work has begun and will take place in

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the next financial year with an external consultant who has knowledge and experience in data management and security, and also Purposeful’s funding and programmatic requirements. This work will result in implementation of new systems and processes and an updated data and cyber security policy.

Legal

Work has continued to get our U.S. entity operational. We have secured pro-bono legal support from Covington and Burlings LPP in New York who are advising on this. They are working closely with our U.K. and Sierra Leone lawyers to ensure that there is a clear governance structure between the three entities; as the bulk of Purposeful funding now comes directly from the U.S. and there is a ceiling on the amount of progressive funding we can mobilise from the U.K. Once the U.S. entity is set up, the majority of funds will come through it and be regranted to the U.K. and U.S. for specific activities. Each entity will have an independent board and will have the responsibility for governance and compliance of operations and activities in line with legislative requirements in their countries. In addition, Purposeful has been working with an external consultant, Strategy for Humanity, to review current governance practices especially surrounding the current Board of Trustees, governing documents and roles and responsibilities. They will provide recommendations for how best to structure Purposeful’s Boards and support Purposeful to implement the required changes. This process should be completed in the next financial year.

Safeguarding

Purposeful’s Safeguarding Policy is a statement of intent that outlines our commitment to safeguard adolescent girls, children, young people and vulnerable adults who may come into contact with our organisation. Purposeful staff, volunteers and others working on behalf of our organisation are obliged to create and maintain environments that prevents sexual exploitation and abuse and child abuse and promotes the implementation of this policy. The policy provides a framework of principles, standards and guidelines for both individual and organisational practice.

Purposeful is committed to ensuring that staff, volunteers and others working on behalf of our organisation receive training, understand and prioritise the safety and welfare of adolescent girls, children, young people, vulnerable adults and the wider community at all times.

There have been no reported safeguarding issues in this period. Safeguarding is integrated into all areas of our organisation and there is an experienced and skilled safeguarding team in all departments and at all levels, including on the Board. Safeguarding is reviewed monthly as part of our risk management process and is a standing item on the Purposeful Board.

All staff, freelancers, and partners have received training on the updated processes and policies and safeguarding training takes place annually.

‘Purposeful’s approach to safeguarding is robust, thorough, and reflects significant best practice. Purposeful has an impressive suite of well drafted policies and practices covering safeguarding and whistleblowing and plans to work with grantees to strengthen their

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organisational approaches. They also have a comprehensive staff handbook laying out the responsibilities of staff and its policies.’ - FCDO Due Diligence Report - 22[nd] August 2023

Annual Risk Statement

Purposeful considers good risk management to be a vital part of its operational requirements. Purposeful recognises that risk is an everyday part of charitable activity and managing it effectively is essential to achieve our key objectives and meet our obligation to use the funding we receive responsibly and in an efficient and effective manner, despite the challenges faced.

Risk management is an ongoing concern, and risk registers are reviewed and updated monthly. Risk management updates are included in the organisation's board reports and presented to the Board of Trustees at every board meeting. Purposeful’s risk appetite is a key factor in setting our reserves policy.

Overall, our risks fall into external, delivery, safeguarding, fiduciary, reputational and operational risks. Safeguarding risks are ever present given our focus on adolescent girls and how deeply embedded in culture some of the harmful practices towards them are, which can also expose our staff who advocate against such violence to risks. Purposeful has a robust approach to safeguarding which mitigates the risk.

Overall our risk levels are minor to moderate. Risks and their impacts are higher for fiduciary risks (e.g. risk of fraud in a cash economy) and safeguarding. For each risk we have identified mitigating actions, which are integrated into our ongoing engagement with partners. Full details of Purposeful’s approach to risk management is included in our Risk Management Policy which is freely available to members of staff, freelancers, partners, donors, volunteers and Trustees.

Public Benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of Section 4 of the Charities Act 2011, to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission of England and Wales.

Remuneration of the Executive Leadership Team

The Trustees are responsible for setting the remuneration for the Executive Leadership Team. Remuneration levels are benchmarked to the sector and reviewed on an annual basis. Market details of the senior leadership remuneration can be found in Note 6 of the financial statements.

Reserves Policy

Purposeful Trustees meticulously strategised the utilisation of the generous Mackenzie Scott gift to ensure long-term stability. The majority of the funds were securely invested in a highyield deposit account through Natwest, our trusted banking partner in the U.K. Throughout the 2022-23 financial year, the Executive Leadership Team diligently followed the agreedupon plan, aligning expenditures with the Trustees’ vision.

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With a substantial total fund amounting to £13 million, putting us ahead of our £1 million set limit, Purposeful remains committed to a proactive approach in evaluating optimal fund utilisation. By closely monitoring spending patterns and adhering to established budgets, we maintain fiscal responsibility while steadfastly pursuing our core mission of empowering girls comprehensively.

Looking ahead, our focus remains on sustaining our financial resilience for the years ahead. We are dedicated to upholding our primary objective of supporting girls' empowerment holistically, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently to further our impact.

Going Concern

Our funders and partners continue to demonstrate unwavering support in one-off and multiyear grants. Multi-year grants are secured through to the 2026-27 financial year and additional commitments are in the pipeline. These multi-year grants, constituting 45% of our budget, provide a solid foundation for our operations. Coupled with the Mackenzie Scott gift funds, prudently held in long-term deposit accounts, we are well-positioned to sustain and advance our mission of transforming the lives of girls worldwide for a significant duration.

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FINANCIAL REVIEW

This year marked saw a significant period of growth as we have continued to build on and consolidate our activities, ongoing strategic planning and visioning that will pave the way for the next half of our decade of existence.

Our income is down 61%. It is important to note that this is largely due to the exceptional one-time gift of $15 million we received last year. When we compare with the 2021 financial year however, we have actually seen a commendable increase. This is a testament to the effectiveness of our fundraising endeavours and the steadfast support from our funders and partnerships.

Amidst challenges, we have remained agile in responding to crises, thanks to the unwavering support of our granting partners. Our Resourcing Resistance team has played a pivotal role in this, enabling us to extend our reach to girls and feminists in every corner of the globe during times of need. This collective effort reinforces our commitment to our mission and fuels our determination to make a meaningful impact in the world.

Throughout the past year, our expenditure has seen a notable increase, largely driven by our commitment to impactful grant-making that aligns closely with our values and mission. Notably, our grant-making efforts have surged by an impressive 77%, reflecting our steadfast dedication to amplifying our impact and effecting positive change on a larger scale.

Our staff costs have increased compared to last year as our staff occupy a pivotal role in our activities. As we chart our course for the years ahead., Purposeful has witnessed a focus on elevating our activities to new heights. Our dedicated staff members play a pivotal role in driving this evolution, engaging in programme activities, providing support to our grantees, and spearheading our advocacy, learning, and influencing initiatives - their dedication remains unwavering.

Our Executive Leadership and management teams continue to maintain a vigilant watch over our expenditure, diligently seeking opportunities to optimise efficiency while remaining steadfast in our mission. We have also taken proactive measures to mitigate the impact of exchange rate differences, particularly given the significant sums of funds held on our books. By adopting a strategy of matching currencies when incurring expenses, we aim to minimise exposure to fluctuating exchange rates, ensuring the stability of our financial operations as we continue to advance our mission.

Our balance sheet proudly reflects our heightened financial strength and stability, a testament to Purposeful's continued growth and resilience. Notably, our fixed assets have surged by an impressive 25% compared to the previous year, driven by the ongoing construction of our building. As this structure begins to take shape, it stands as a powerful symbol of our commitment to the feminist movement in Sierra Leone, serving as a beacon of empowerment and progress.

While our current assets have experienced a modest decline of 13% compared to last year, this marginal decrease is largely in line with expectations. Importantly, when contrasted with

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figures from 2021, we observe a significant uptick, attributable to a substantial donation that we have strategically earmarked for long-term expenditure.

Furthermore, our end-of-service provision for our dedicated Sierra Leone staff has increased by 27%, reaching £202k from £159k. This increase reflects the continued expansion of our team in Sierra Leone as we deepen our impact and outreach in the region. We remain steadfast in our efforts to mitigate our exposure to such provisions, implementing strategies to ensure prudent management of resources while sustaining our organisational growth and impact.

Principle funding sources

Our primary funding sources are crucial pillars of support for Purposeful's initiatives: The Novo Foundation, administered through Tides, remains a vital partner as we enter the third year of our $6 million USD unrestricted funding grant, extending into the 2023-2024 financial year. This unrestricted funding allows Purposeful to strengthen our infrastructure for grant-making, enhance our programme initiatives, and maintain a spirit of innovation within the sector.

The Mackenzie Scott gift, primarily directed towards unrestricted funds, further bolsters our financial resources. Significant grants from Wellspring and the Ford Foundation also contribute to our unrestricted funding pool.

In addition to unrestricted funds, we have secured restricted funds from partners such as Tides, FJS, and OSF, to support our Resourcing Resistance portfolio. The Global Resilience Fund, supported by organisations like the Chanel Foundation, Oak Foundation, and the Equality Fund, remains instrumental in providing disaster and relief grants, aiding girls and feminists in emergency and crisis situations.

Purposeful continues to serve as a fiscal sponsor for Eyala, a feminist communications project amplifying African feminist voices. Funded by the Fund for a Just Society, Purposeful offers capacity-building and operational support for Eyala, alongside the Politics of Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI), a global effort examining the impact of sexual violence on women's political identities.

Our collaboration with the Children’s Rights Innovation Fund extends to supporting their Decolonise! grant-making programme beyond the global north.

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STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The charity trustees (who are also the directors of We Are Purposeful for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees’ report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Company law requires trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the charitable company at any time and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence take all reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and any other irregularities.

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of Companies Act 2006.

STATEMENT AS TO DISCLOSURE TO OUR AUDITORS

In so far as the trustees are aware at the time of approving our trustees’ annual report:

This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice:Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

Maheen Kaleem Chair of the Purposeful Board of Trustees Date 21 August 2024

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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS AND TRUSTEES OF WE ARE PURPOSEFUL

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of We are Purposeful (the ‘parent charitable company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘group’) for the year ended 31 August 2023 which comprise the Group Statement of Financial Activities, the Group and Parent Charitable Company Balance Sheets, the Group Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 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:

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 Auditor’s 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 UK, including the FRC’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 group’s and parent 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.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on

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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 there is 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.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and parent charitable company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees’ annual report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:

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Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 23, 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 group and parent 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 group or parent charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditor under the Companies Act 2006 and section 151 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with those Acts.

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 auditor’s 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 aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK) we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:

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We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

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. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.

The objectives of our audit in respect of fraud, are; to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud, through designing and implementing appropriate responses to those assessed risks; and to respond appropriately to instances of fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit. However, the primary responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both management and those charged with governance of the charitable company.

Our approach was as follows:

There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. We are less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations that are not closely

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related to events and transactions reflected in the financial statements. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.

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 and, in respect of the consolidated financial statements, to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 8 of the Charities Act 2011. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members and trustees those matters which we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to any party other than the charitable company, the charitable company’s members, as a body, and the charity’s trustees, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinion we have formed.

James Saunders (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Moore Kingston Smith LLP, Statutory Auditor

6[th] Floor, 9 Appold Street London EC2A 2AP

Date: 23 August 2024

Moore Kingston Smith LLP is eligible to act as auditor in terms of Section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST AUGUST 2023
2023 2022
Note Unrestricted Restricted Total funds Unrestricted Restricted Total
funds funds funds funds funds
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
Incoming resources
Income and endowments
from:
Grants, Donations and
legacies 242 (7) 235 11,509 99 11,608
Charitable activities 1,906 3,933 5,839 1,129 2,938 4,067
Total 3 2,148 3,926 6,074 12,638 3,037 15,675
Resources expended
Expenditure on:
Raising funds 4 2 - 2 2 - 2
Charitable activities 4 2,975 3,790 6,765 1,316 4,051 5,367
Total 2,977 3,790 6,767 1,318 4,051 5,369
Exchange loss/ (gain) 884 297 1,181 (1,624) (125) (1,749)
Net income / (expenditure) (1,713) (161) (1,874) 12,944 **(889) ** 12,055
Transfer between funds 13 (938) 938 - - - -
Net movement in funds (2,651) 777 (1,874) 12,944 **(889) ** 12,055
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward 13 13,867 1,670 15,537 923 2,559 3,482
at 1stSeptember 2022
Total funds carried forward 13 11,216 2,447 13,663 13,867 1,670 15,537
at 31stAugust 2023

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BALANCE SHEETS AS AT 31[ST] AUGUST 2023

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
9.1
Intangible assets
9.2
Total fixed assets
Current assets
Debtors
10
Cash at bank and in hand
Total current assets
Current Liabilities
Creditors and accruals
11
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Provisions for liabilities
11
Total net assets or liabilities
Funds of the Charity
Restricted income funds
13
Unrestricted funds
13
Total funds		 Consolidated Group
Parent
2023
2022
2023
2022
£’000
£’000
£’000
£’000
446
369
20
14
31
12
31
13
477
381
51
27
537
59
533
28
12,962
15,488
12,572
15,197
13,499
15,547
13,105
15,225
110
232
72
135
13,389
15,315
13,033
15,090
13,866
15,696
13,084
15,117
203
159
-
-
13,663
15,537
13,084
15,117
2,447
1,670
3,114
1,875
11,216
13,867
9,970
13,241
13,663
15,537
13,084
15,117

The notes on p32 to p49 form a full part of these financial statements. The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue on the authority of the board and signed on its behalf by:

Maheen Kaleem Chair of the Purposeful Board of Trustees 21 August 2024

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2023

2023 2022
£’000 £’000
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net Income (1,874) 12,055
Depreciation / amortisation 15 22
Exchange differences on translation (15) 9
Changes in Debtors and Prepayments (478) (13)
Changes in Creditors & Accruals (121) 51
Changes in Provisions 44 108
Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities (2,429) 12,232
Cash Flows from Investment Activities
Purchase of Property Plant and Equipment (97) (194)
Net Cash Flows from Investment Activities (97) (194)
Net Increase in cash (2,526) 12,038
Beginning Cash Balance 15,488 3,450
Ending Cash Balance 12,962 15,488

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] AUGUST 2023

1. Charity Status

The Charity is limited by guarantee, incorporated in England and Wales, and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.

The address of its registered office is: Studio 3b Blue House Yard 5 River Park Road Wood Green London N22 7TB

2. Accounting Policies

2.1 Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

2.2 Statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) effective 1 January 2015 - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)). They also comply with the Companies Act 2006 and Charities Act 2011.

2.3 Basis of preparation

We are Purposeful 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 notes. The financial statements are prepared in Sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts are rounded to the nearest thousand pounds.

2.4 Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the charity. The charity has sufficient funds for project delivery and has a commitment from funders to continue programming.

2.5 Income and endowments

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

Donations and legacies

Donations are recognised on a receipt basis unless a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds. In this case, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period. Legacies are recognised when Purposeful is notified, there is probability of receipt and the amount is quantifiable.

Grants receivable

Grants are recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.

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Gifts in kind

Gifts in kind are recognised in different ways depending on how they are used by the charity:

(i) Those donated for onward transmission to beneficiaries are included in the Statement of Financial Activities as incoming resources and resources expended when they are distributed. They are valued at the amount the charity would have had to pay to acquire them.

(ii) Those donated for use by the charity itself are included when receivable. They are valued at the amount the charity would have had to pay to acquire them.

Donated services and facilities

Donated services and facilities are valued at the amount the charity would have had to pay to acquire them.

2.6 Expenditure

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs into that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of assets' use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.

Raising funds

There are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, the management of investments and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.

Charitable activities

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Grant expenditure

Grants payable are payments made to third parties in the furtherance of the charitable objectives. Where the charity gives a grant with conditions for its payment being a specific level of service or output to be provided, such grants are only recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the recipient of the grant has provided the specific service or output.

Grants payable without performance conditions are recognised in the accounts when a commitment has been made and communicated to the recipient, and there are no conditions to be met relating to the grant which remain in the control of the charity.

Grant provisions

Provisions for grants are made when the intention to make a grant has been communicated to the recipient but there is uncertainty about either the timing of the grant or the amount of grant payable.

2.7 Support Costs

Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor areas or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage

2.8 Governance Costs

These include the costs attributable to the charity's compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustee's meetings and reimbursed expenses.

2.9 Taxation

The charity is considered to pass the test set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

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2.10 Fixed Assets

Individual fixed assets costing £150 or more are initially recorded at cost.

Depreciation and amortisation

Depreciation/amortisation is provided on tangible/intangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:

Asset Class Depreciation/Amortisation method and rate

Computer Equipment 3 years straight line Intangible Software 3 years straight line Motor Vehicles 3 years straight line Fixture and Fittings 4 years straight line

2.11 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise of cash on hand and call deposits with original maturities of three months or less.

2.12 Trade creditors

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the charity does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement to the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.

Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

2.13 Foreign Exchange

Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate of exchange at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are reported at the rates of exchange prevailing at that date.

The results of overseas operations are translated at the average rates of exchange during the period and their balance sheets at the rates ruling at the balance sheet date. Exchange differences arising on translation of the opening net assets and results of overseas operations are reported in the Statement of Financial Activities and accumulated in the appropriate fund.

Other exchange differences are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities in the period in which they arise, except for:

1) exchange differences on transactions entered into to hedge certain foreign currency risks (see above). 2) exchange differences arising on gains and losses on non-monetary items which are recognised in other comprehensive income.

2.14 Fund structure

Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources receivable or generated from the objectives of the charity without further specific purpose and are available as general funds.

Restricted funds are to be used for the specific purpose as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets this criteria is charged to the fund, together with a fair allocation of management and support costs, where applicable.

2.15 Pensions and other post-retirement benefits

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme which is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the charity has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further

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contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all the employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a prepayment.

2.16 Financial Instruments

Classification

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of the charity after deducting all of its liabilities.

Recognition and measurement

All financial assets and liabilities are initially measured at transaction price (including transaction costs) except for those financial assets classified as at fair value through profit or loss, which are initially measured at fair value (which is normally the transaction price excluding transaction costs) unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction. If an arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, the financial asset or financial liability is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are only offset in the Balance Sheet when, and only when there exists a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and the charity intends either to settle on a net basis, or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Financial assets are derecognised when and only when:

a) the contractual right to the cash flows from the financial asset expire or are settled

b) the charity transfers to another party substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset, or

c) the charity, despite having retained some, but not all, significant risks and rewards of ownership, has transferred control of the asset to another party.

Financial liabilities are derecognised only when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expires.

2.17 Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to the accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period or in the period of revision and future periods if the revision affects the current and future periods.

The most significant estimates and assumptions which affect the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements relate to:

The useful economic lives of assets, which Purposeful have estimated to be 3 years apart from furniture and fixtures, which we estimate to be 4 years. Most Purposeful assets relate to computer equipment and furniture and fixtures where historical experience has formed the basis of this judgement.

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Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis, which Purposeful trustees judge to be a fair assumption based on the intentions of Purposeful for the next 12 months and availability of funding.

2.18 Consolidation

The financial statements present the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA), the Consolidated and Parent Charity Balance Sheets and the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement, comprising the consolidation of the Charity and with its wholly owned subsidiary, We Are Purposeful Sierra Leone. As permitted by s408 Companies Act 2006, the parent charity has not presented its own Statement of Financial Activities and related notes.. The results of the subsidiary are disclosed in note 18.

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NOTE 3 - ANALYSIS OF INCOME

2023 2022
Total
Unrestricted Restricted funds
funds		 Prior year
funds
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
Donations and legacies:
Donations and gifts 242 (7) 235 11,608
Grants including capital grants:
Grants provided by government/other
charities 1,906 3,933 5,839 4,067
Total 2,148 3,926 6,074 15,675
NOTE 4 - ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE
2023 2022
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Prior Year
Funds Funds
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
Expenditure on raising funds
Fundraising 2 - 2 2
Total expenditure on raising funds 2 - 2 2
Expenditure on charitable activities
Grants Awarded 438 1,372 1,810 1,020
Capacity Building & Movement 841 1,192 2,033 2,061
Advocacy & Influencing 74 71 145 304
Global Projects 16 30 46 138
Staff Costs 1,167 1,016 2,183 1,448
Operating Costs 355 77 432 271
Governance 84 32 116 125
Total expenditure on charitable activities 2,975 3,790 6,765 5,367
Total Expenditure 2,977 3,790 6,767 5,369

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NOTE 5 – AUDIT FEE 2023 2022
£’000 £’000
Audit Fee – UK 15 15
Audit Fee of Overseas Subsidiary 4 3
Total Audit Fees 19 18
NOTE 6 – STAFF COSTS
6.1 – Staff Costs 2023
£’000		 2022
£’000
Salaries and wages 1,763 1,173
Consultants and Contractors 215 149
Social security costs 132 59
Pension costs (defined contribution scheme) 8 7
Other employee benefits 65 60
Total staff costs 2,183 1,448

Included in salaries and wages above is a termination payment of £4,568 (2022: £nil).

----- Start of picture text -----
Band Number of employees (2023) Number of employees (2022)
£70,000 to £79,999 1 -
£80,000 to £89,999 - 1
£90,000 to £99,999 1 -
£110,000 to £119,999 - 1
£120,000 to £129,999 1 -
£150,000 to £159,999 - 1
£190,000 to £199,999 1 -
----- End of picture text -----

The total pension costs made by Purposeful in respect of the individuals above was £5,167 (2022: £3,963)

The key management personnel of the charity comprises the Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Chief of Organisational Effectiveness, and Director of Finance and Operations. The total remuneration and employee benefits, including salary, employer’s National Insurance and employer’s pension contributions of the key management personnel of the charity was £656,640 (2022: £566,699) .

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6.2 – Average headcount in the year

2023 2022
Charitable Activities 25 28
Governance 5 4
Total 30 32

NOTE 7 – PENSION SCHEME

Purposeful operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost charge for the year represents contributions payable by the charity to the scheme and amounted to £8,178 (2022 - £6,870) .

NOTE 8 – GRANT EXPENDITURE BY REGION

NOTE 8 – GRANT EXPENDITURE BY REGION
2023 2022
£’000 £’000
Grants awarded 1,810 1,020
Analysis of grants paid (included in cost of charitable activities)
2023 2022
£’000 £’000
Sierra Leone Projects 482 314
Asia Pacific 256 115
Arab States (formally Middle East / North Africa) 156 96
Europe and Central Asia 291 133
Americas and the Caribbean 208 126
Sub Saharan Africa 417 236
Total 1,810 1,020

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NOTE 9 – FIXED ASSETS

9.1 – Tangible assets for the Group

Land and Computer Plant Fixtures Total
Buildings Equipment Machinery and fittings
(under and Motor
construction) vehicles
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
Cost or valuation
As at 1stSeptember 2022 317 35 36 25 413
Additions 93 13 - (10) 96
Exchange loss on consolidation - - (15) - (15)
As at 31stAugust 2023 410 48 21 15 494

Depreciation and impairments

As at 1stSeptember 2022 - 16 18 10 44
Depreciation - 9 (3) (1) 5
As at 31stAugust 2023 - 25 15 9 49
Net Book Value
As at 31stAugust 2022 317 19 18 15 369
As at 31stAugust 2023 410 23 6 7 446

Tangible assets – Parent Only

Cost or valuation
As at 1st September 2022
Additions
As at 31st August 2023		 Computer
Equipment
Fixtures and
fittings
Total
£’000
£’000
£’000
27
1
28
15
-
15
42
1
43

40

Depreciation and impairments

As at 1st September 2022
Depreciation
As at 31st August 2023
Net book value
As at 31 August 2022
As at 31 August 2023		 13
1
14
9
-
9
22
1
23
14
-
14
20
-
20

9.2 – Intangible assets for Group and Charity

Computer Total
Software
£’000 £’000
Cost or valuation
As at 1stSeptember 2022 37 37
Additions 28 28
As at 31stAugust 2023 66 66
Amortisation and impairments
As at 1stSeptember 2022 25 25
Amortisation 10 10
As at 31stAugust 2023 35 35
Net Book Value
As at 31stAugust 2022 12 12
As at 31stAugust 2023 31 31

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NOTE 10 – DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS

Consolidated Group Parent Charity

2023 2022 2023 2022
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
Staff working cash advances 4 17 - -
Grant debtors 509 - 509 -
Prepayments 24 42 24 28
Total 537 59 533 28

NOTE 11 – CREDITORS AND ACCRUALS Amounts falling due within one year

Amounts falling due within one year
Consolidated Group Parent Charity
2023 2022 2023 2022
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
Trade Creditors 36 72 36 72
Taxation and Social Security 45 61 18 23
Accruals and deferred income 29 99 18 40
Total 110 232 72 135

There are no (0) amounts falling due after more than one year.

The provision relates to the end of service benefits made for staff within the group as at 31[st] August 2023 based on the Sierra Leone Gazette.

2023 2022
£’000 £’000
Balance for provisions 203 159

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NOTE 12 – EVENTS AFTER THE END OF THE REPORTING PERIOD

It was agreed at the board meeting held May 22 2024 that Co CEO and CO Founder Chernor Bah will get pension set at his current annual salary at time of resignation amounting to £173,600

NOTE 13 – FUNDS OF THE GROUP NOTE 13 – FUNDS OF THE GROUP
Balance at 1 Incoming Resources Transfer Balance at
September 2022 Resources Expended Between 31 August
Funds 2023
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
Unrestricted Funds (13,867) (2,148) 3,861 938 (11,216)
Restricted Funds
Novo (82) (198) 408 (9) 119
Fund for Global Human (23) (4) 17 - (10)
Rights
FCDO (previously DFID) - - (41) - (41)
With and For Girls (1,262) (1,494) 1,502 - (1,254)
Global Resilience Fund (267) (1,387) 661 - (993)
Wellspring (32) (70) 456 (357) (3)
Irish Aid (32) (277) 453 (154) (10)
Survivors' Solidarity Fund 3 - (3) - (0)
Red Rosa (35) (196) 39 - (192)
ICONIQ - - (1) - (1)
Fund for a Just Society (95) - 91 - (4)
(Eyala)
10th Africa Conference on 439 (9) 31 (340) 121
Sexual Health and Rights
Global Giving (66) - 157 (78) 13
IRIS (166) - 139 - (27)

43

Tides (CRIF) (52) (135) 149 - (38)
PSVI - (156) 29 - (127)
Total Restricted Funds
 **(1,670) ** (3,926)
 4,087 (938) (2,447)
Total Funds **(15,537) ** (6,074) 7,948 - (13,663)
PARENT CHARITY
Unrestricted Funds (13,241) (2,148) 4,481 938 (9,970)
Restricted Funds
Novo (203) (198) 408 (9) (2)
Fund for Global Human Rights (35) (4) 9 - (30)
FCDO (previously DFID) - - (42) - (42)
With and For Girls (1,304) (1,494) 1,173 - (1,625)
Global Resilience Fund (267) (1387) 659 - (995)
Wellspring (29) (70) 456
(357)		 -
Irish Aid 52 - 102 (154) -
Survivors' Solidarity Fund 2 - (4) - (2)
Red Rosa (35) (196) 27 - (204)
ICONIQ - - (1) - (1)
Fund for a Just Society (Eyala) (95) - 91 - (4)
10th Africa Conference on 318 (9) 31 (340) -
Sexual Health and Rights
Global Giving (57) - 135
(78)		 -
IRIS (170) - 127 - (43)
Tides (CRIF) (52) (136) 149 - (39)
PSVI - (156) 29 - (127)
Total Restricted Funds (1,876) (3,650) 3,350 (938) (3,114)
Total Funds **(15,117) ** (5,798) 7,831 - (13,084)

44

13.1 Prior Year Consolidated Group and Parent Funds

Balance at 1 Incoming Resources Balance at 31
September Resources Expended August 2022
2021
Unrestricted Funds (923) (12,638) (306) (13,867)
Restricted Funds
Novo (15) - (67) (82)
Fund for Global Human Rights (11) (41) 29 (23)
FCDO (previously DFID) (398) (311) 709 -
With and For Girls (1,393) (1,218) 1,349 (1,262)
Global Resilience Fund (196) (449) 378 (267)
Wellspring (64) - 32 (32)
Irish Aid (212) - 180 (32)
Survivors' Solidarity Fund (3) - 6 3
Red Rosa (145) - 110 (35)
ICONIQ (32) - 32 -
Fund for a Just Society (Eyala) (90) (83) 78 (95)
10th Africa Conference on Sexual - (343) 782 439
Health and Rights
Global Giving - (303) 237 (66)
IRIS -
 (236) 70 (166)
Tides (CRIF) -
 (53) 1 (52)
Total Restricted Funds (2,559) (3,037) 3,926 (1,670)
Total Funds (3,482) (15,675) 3,620 (15,537)

45

PARENT CHARITY

Unrestricted Funds (452) (12,637) (152) (13,241)
Restricted Funds
Novo (88) - (115) (203)
Fund for Global Human Rights (3) (41) 9 (35)
FCDO 5 (311) 306 -
With and For Girls (1,359) (1,218) 1,274 (1,304)
Global Resilience Fund (196) (449) 378 (267)
Wellspring (63) - 32 (30)
Survivors' Solidarity Fund (3) - 6 3
Red Rosa (145) - 110 (35)
ICONIQ (32) - 32 -
Fund for a Just Society (Eyala) (90) (83) 78 (95)
10th Africa Conference on Sexual - (254) 572 318
Health and Rights
Global Giving - (303) 246 (57)
IRIS - (236) 66 (170)
Irish Aid - - 52 52
Tides(CRIF) - (53) 1 (52)
Total Restricted Funds (1,974) (2,948) 3,047 (1,875)
Total Funds (2,426) (15,585) 2,895 (15,117)

The specific purpose of the funds are as follows: Unrestricted Fund / General Fund – reserves available for general operating costs

Novo – to support projects which promote advocacy for girls in Sierra Leone , transfer from general reserves during the year to avoid disruption of project activities

Global Girl Academy – to support inter agency co-operation and act as a point of contact in Sierra Leone Fund for Global Human Rights – to support our participatory grant making model, Tar Kura, in Sierra Leone. FCDO – to support our Safe Space+ programme in Sierra Leone

With and For Girls – to support our With and For Girls programme for girl led global advocates and activists. Global Resilience Fund – to support our emergency rapid response grant making to girl and young women activists in humanitarian crisis contexts

Wellspring – to support organisational development within Purposeful , transfer from general reserves during the year to avoid disruption of project activities

46

Irish Aid – to support our FGM and Girls Circles work in Sierra Leone. Transfer from general reserves during the year to avoid disruption of project activities

Survivors’ Solidarity Fund – to support organisations responding to rape and victims of sexual violence in Sierra Leone.

Red Rosa – to support grant making to young girl activists in East Africa and capture their stories of resistance ICONIQ – to support our Girls Circles (Safe Space +) programme in Sierra Leone, with an emphasis on mentors’ academy.

Fund for a Just Society – to support the Eyala sister circles project, which Purposeful fiscally sponsors ACSHR – to support costs of, including post event reporting of, the 10[th] Africa Conference on Sexual Health and Rights. , transfer from general reserves during the year to avoid disruption of project activities

Global Giving – to support the mentors academy design and implementation as part of the Girls’ Circles programme in Sierra Leone. Transfer from general reserves during the year to avoid disruption of project activities

IRIS – to support girl activists in Sierra Leone and Kenya / Tanzania to curate stories and media products of their activism

Tides – to support grant making for the Children’s Rights Innovation Fund, which Purposeful fiscally sponsors. PSVI -to support a global initiatives around the impact of sexual violence on women’s political identities

47

NOTE 14 – COMMITMENTS UNDER LEASES

Total future minimum lease payments under operating leases are given in the table below for each of the following periods:

Consolidated Group Parent Charity
2023 2022 2023 2022
£’000 £’000 £’000 £’000
Buildings
No later than one year - 2 - 2
Total - 2 - 2

NOTE 15 – CAPITAL COMMITMENTS

The group has capital commitments of £124k 2023/24, 2021/22 £290k relating to the HQ building in Freetown, Sierra Leone. A commitment of £26k is also payable once the building has been in use satisfactorily for 12 months. The parent charity has no capital commitments (2022/23: £nil).

NOTE 16 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

During the year, Purposeful made the following related party transactions:

Chernor Bah (Co-Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder)

During the year, Purposeful paid Chernor Bah £183,446 (2022: £161,238) for partnership and advocacy services and reimbursed expenses totalling £5,286 (2022: £nil) for expenses incurred on behalf of Purposeful during the year. At the balance sheet date the amount due to / from Chernor Bah was £nil (2022: £Nil). As agreed with the Board of Trustees, medical insurance payments were also made by Purposeful for Chernor Bah directly to Cigna Life totalling £22,445 (2022: £21,202) .

48

NOTE 17 – ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BY FUND

As at 31 August 2023
Fixed Assets
Current Assets
Current Liabilities
Non Current Liabilities
Total Net Assets
As at 31 August 2022
Fixed Assets
Current Assets
Current Liabilities
Non Current Liabilities
Total Net Assets		 Consolidated Group
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total
£'000
£'000
£'000
438
39
477
11,320
2,179
13,499
(30)
(80)
(110)
(110)
(93)
(203)
11,618
2,045
13,663
338
43
381
13,682
1,865
15,547
(67)
(165)
(232)
(86)
(73)
(159)
13,867
1,670
15,537		 Parent Charity
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total
£'000
£'000
£'000
27
24
51
10,978
2,127
13,105
(20)
(52)
(72)
-
-
-
10,985
2,099
13,084
12
15
27
13,266
1,959
15,225
(37)
(98)
(135)
-
-
-
13,241
1,875
15,117

NOTE 18 – SUBSIDIARY PERFORMANCE

The Board of Purposeful Productions has effective control over Purposeful Productions Sierra Leone, a NonGovernmental Organisation, limited by guarantee in Sierra Leone. Summary financial information for Purposeful Productions Sierra Leone):

2023 2022
£’000 £’000
Statement of Income and Expenses
Income 1,847 1,072
Expenditure (1,607) (1,739)
Surplus/ (Deficit) 240 (667)
Balance Sheet as at 31st August 2023
Fixed Assets 426 358
Current Assets 395 310
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year (39) (100)
Creditors: Amounts callingdue after more than oneyear (202) (159)
580 409

49