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← Song And Hymn Writers Foundation CIO

2024-12-31-accounts

SONG & HYMN WRITERS FOUNDATION CIO

Accounts – 31[st] December 2024

SONG & HYMN WRITERS FOUNDATION CIO

Charity number: 1170493

Accounts – 31[st] December 2024

INDEX

1-5. Report of the Trustees and General Information 6. Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees 7-8. Receipts and Payments Account 9. Statement of Assets and Liabilities

SONG & HYMN WRITERS FOUNDATION CIO

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the year ended 31[st] December 2024

The trustees are pleased to present their annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31[st] December 2024.

Reference and Administration Details

The charity’s name is Song & Hymn Writers Foundation CIO (“SHWF”).

Charity registration number: 1170493 Registered address and principal working office: 12 Hastings Road Woodhouse Eaves Loughborough LE12 8QU

Trustees

The trustees who served during the year and since the year end to the date of this report were as follows:

Mr Alex Guest Mrs Anne Harrison Ms Nina Kurlberg Rev Matthew Swires-Hennessy Rev Mark Thomas (resigned 27[th] November 2024) Mr Simon Upcott (Chair of Trustees)

Purpose, Objects, Activities and Working Names of SHWF

SHWF’s purpose statement, which embraces all its activities, is ‘ Enriching the Song of the Church’ . Its overall objectives are:

  1. To advance the Christian faith for the public benefit, in particular, but not exclusively by the following means:

  2. a. by furthering the growth of writing, composing and use of hymns and songs;

  3. b. by providing resources to assist church musicians in developing the use of other music for Christian worship and thereby to support proclamation of the gospel in churches, Christian organisations and gatherings of a similar nature;

  4. c. by developing hymns, songs and other music for Christian worship with a view to increasing the effectiveness of such worship.

  5. To advance education in the writing of hymns, songs and other words and music for Christian worship and in high standards of professional practice both for new and existing writers, in particular but not exclusively by the following means:

  6. a. by providing educational events and resources to enhance and improve the composition of words and music for Christian worship.

  7. b. by making grants to individuals and institutions in order to make educational opportunities more accessible to writers of Christian music.

Values

During the year SHWF identified three key values which underscore its work. The values are expressed as follows:

We believe that when the church sings it should:

1. Glorify God

2. Grow Disciples

3. Build Community

SONG & HYMN WRITERS FOUNDATION CIO

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

for the year ended 31[st] December 2024 ( Continued)

In realising these values, SHWF has seven aims :

1. Publish Songs & Hymns

Publish songs and hymns that deepen the worship of the church, engaging with themes and styles that broaden its language of worship and reflecting the richness of scripture and diversity of Christian discipleship.

2. Serve the Church

Serve the church by producing and modelling songs and hymns that encourage and enable congregational singing, that are not built around personalities and performing artists, but treat the congregation as the most important voice.

3. Grow the Talent Pool

Grow & diversify the pool of talent by discovering, nurturing and giving a platform to writers outside the few dominant labels, with a particular focus on UK sources.

4. Champion the Grassroots Writer

Champion the role of the grass-roots songwriter as a unique voice in each local church, resourcing them to help grow their skills and provide a healthy balance alongside the globalised song-sources and traditional repertoire.

5. Develop Community

Develop community among songwriters that leads to wider accountability, greater skill, deeper understanding and a mutual, organic sharing of songs across churches that is independent of market systems.

6. Value Writers

Value the writer as a person and member of the wider church they serve, through publishing models that favour creatives over corporations and which are relational, generous & empowering.

7. Work in Partnership

Work in partnership with churches, organisations and other publishers, to pursue greater creativity and to model generous kingdom values throughout the industry.

SHWF carries out most of its work under the working names Jubilate and Resound Worship. Jubilate is primarily focused on writing and publishing new hymns; Resound Worship is primarily focused on writing and publishing new worship songs, and working to develop and encourage grass-roots songwriters in local churches.

SHWF has a wholly-owned subsidiary, Jubilate Hymns Limited (“JHL”) which operates as an agency collecting royalties for song and hymn writers. The company Gift Aids its profits to SHWF, providing a key source of funds to SHWF.

Achievements and Performance in 2024

Among the various activities of the charity during 2024, the following are of particular note:

Downcast Souls Expectant Hearts (Resound Worship)

The new double album on the twin themes of lament and hope was released in January 2024. The songs were intended to offer a vocabulary for times of struggle - disc one looking towards the struggle and expressing our pain before God, disc two looking out from and beyond the struggle to a sure and certain hope. A series of 14 concerts took place across the year to share the songs and promote the work of the charity, including small ensemble concerts and full-band events. Donor funding of approximately £5750 was secured to subsidise the concert costs and make them affordable to churches. The concerts were very warmly received, with a healthy volume of CD and songbook sales. There was sufficient interest from churches such that a further series of concerts was planned to take place in 2025. A devotional booklet with 20 chapters by the songwriters telling the stories and scriptures that inspired the songs was produced and sold at the November concerts.

SONG & HYMN WRITERS FOUNDATION CIO

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

for the year ended 31[st] December 2024 ( Continued)

Journey to Resurrection (Jubilate)

A collection of new songs and hymns for Holy Week and Easter was released in January, alongside an accompanying book of biblical reflections. Due to the relatively low uptake of new Jubilate material in recent years, the decision was taken to experiment with giving the collection away for free. This was done by promoting the offer through Christian press and denominational / diocesan communications channels. This resulted in at least 500 people accessing and downloading the material who otherwise would have been unlikely to do so.

Jubilate Big Sing

Around 100 musicians, singers and personnel gathered at St Augustine’s Queensgate, London to make a live recording of 15 Jubilate pieces, both classics and compositions, for use on our website and via social media channels. The musicians and scratch choir were directed by Noel Tredinnick. Video was recorded in-house, alongside the audio, and videos began to be released in autumn 2024, with more scheduled for 2025.

Worship Songwriter Retreats in Yorkshire & Tennessee

Resound’s popular annual retreat at Wydale Hall took place again in July over 5 days, with 57 in attendance. Two new songs that were debuted at the retreat have since been recorded by Resound and will be released in early 2025. A highlight was a visit by Scottish singer-songwriter Stephe Macleod who delivered some input and performed a concert. A reduced roster of external speakers for the 2024 event allowed the charity to share the costs and income of this retreat with an inaugural event at Eagle Rock in the Smoky Mountains, Tennessee, run in partnership with United Adoration. 5 members of the Resound Worship leadership and writing team travelled to the US for the retreat with 30 in attendance, many of whom have participated in the 12 Song Challenge over several years.

12 Song Challenge & Songclub

A season of the 12 Song Challenge ran from January to December. There was significant growth from the previous season with over 400 taking part from 15 countries (growing from 270 the previous season). Themes included gathering, the earthly life of Jesus, joy, commitment, word-for-word scripture, and an experiment with using AI tools in songwriting. The entire season took place on Songclub, our new bespoke platform created to allow collaborative songwriting and host the activities of the 12 Song Challenge. The new platform proved very successful and, because it is designed and managed in-house, had new features added throughout the season. The Resound Worship Songwriting Podcast continued to accompany the challenge, and during the off-season.

Donor Income & Five-year Giving Campaign

In addition to the funding secured specifically to subsidise concert costs (see above), we saw continued growth in general fund donor income during the year, up to £27,680 from £20,980 the previous year. This was in part a reflection of a regular giving push in the last quarter of 2023, the results of which were most clearly seen the following year. We also ran a major campaign in November / December 2024 through Resound Worship aiming to raise an additional £100,000 over five years through one-off gifts, committed regular giving and Partner Churches. This was considered the first phase of the campaign. We reached approximately half of the target by the end of the year, most of which would be realised through regular giving. An additional effort via the Jubilate label was planned for 2025.

Plans for 2025 and Beyond

We aim to continue the growth of the 12 Song Challenge, with a new season beginning in April, including the development of the Songclub platform. Our goal is to recruit a volunteer team to assist in this development.

The major Jubilate writing project for 2025 will be a collection of songs and hymns for regular Sunday services, covering some of the usual signpost moments including gathering, prayer, the word, communion, etc. Invitations for submissions will be open during the early part of the year with an editorial process during mid to late 2025 and a live recording of the full collection scheduled for 2026.

The Resound Worship focus for the coming year will be ‘Community Songs’, reflecting the third of SHWF’s values – songs that ‘build community’. It is anticipated this will take the form of several EPs, written and recorded in community in different locations, including a writing camp, the summer retreat and other gatherings. It will also feature in the 12 Song Challenge followed by an invitation for submission from that community.

SONG & HYMN WRITERS FOUNDATION CIO

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

for the year ended 31[st] December 2024 ( Continued)

Employment of Staff

Five staff were employed by the charity during the year:

Chris Juby, who has worked as Agency Manager for JHL for several years, was appointed to a new role of Head of Publishing from February 2024, overseeing copyright, IP, and publishing for the charity, while also being involved in writing projects and the 12 Song Challenge community.

The role of Administrator was increased to reflect increased workload and allow 7 hours per week to be bought in by JHL following the retirement of their Finance Manager in September 2024.

The trustees record their thanks for the energetic, creative and faithful work of the staff team during the year, and for their willingness to be adaptable in their roles to manage a transition period following a retirement.

Joint Strategy Meeting

An overnight gathering of staff, trustees and directors of SHWF and JHL took place in June at the home of Joel Payne, Executive Director to take a strategic view of the operations of SHWF and its subsidiary JHL going forward. The ground covered included ongoing plans to restructure and streamline operations, and some bluesky thinking around increasing funding and profile.

Grant Making

The charity has not made any grants in the period but has offered bursary places on events. To access this bursary the applicant has provided a reference from a church leader stating their suitability and undertaken to raise half the cost from other means.

Reserves Policy

The trustees have agreed to hold reserves equivalent to 3 months salaries (including oncosts) in order to cover those expenses in the event of short-term fluctuation in income. The charity has cash reserves of £57,008.

Principal Sources of Funding

As noted, SHWF’s subsidiary company JHL Gift Aids its profits to the charity, providing a key source of funds. Sales of scores and recordings, along with fundraising, supplement this income to fund the charity’s activities. Fees for events generally covered the direct costs incurred without generating additional income.

Financial Review

Gross income for 2024 was £159,356. Gross expenditure was £152,458 thus resulting in a net income of £6,898.

Structure, Governance and Management

SHWF is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation governed by its formal constitution. The charity has a board of trustees who are each appointed by agreement of the existing trustees, after appropriate due diligence of their aptitude, skills and willingness to serve in that capacity.

SONG & HYMN WRITERS FOUNDATION CIO

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

for the year ended 31[st] December 2024 ( Continued)

Structure, Governance and Management (continued)

The board of trustees continued to meet regularly during the year, and attended to all key governance requirements of SHWF. It reviews key risks at least once a year, more often when necessary to attend to changing governance developments. It cyclically reviews SHWF’s policy framework, ensuring its adequacy in the context of the charity’s operations.

Approved by the Board of Trustees on 3rd July 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

S C Upcott A Guest ………………………………. …………………………… Chair of Trustees Trustee

Loughborough

SONG & HYMN WRITERS FOUNDATION CIO

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Song & Hymn Writers Foundation for the year ended 31st December 2024.

Responsibilities and Basis of Report

As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent Examiner’s Statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

A P Williams FCCA CTA A J Carter & Co Limited Chartered Certified Accountants

22b High Street Witney Oxon OX28 6RB

6th August 2025

SONG & HYMN WRITERS FOUNDATION CIO

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT for the year ended 31[st] December 2024

Receipts
Donations
Charity Fundraising & Special Donations
Jubilate Hymns Ltd
Jubilate
Physical Resource Sales
Postage & Packaging
Website Sales
Events
Resound Worship
Events
Postage & Packaging
Physical Resource Sales
Digital Resellers
Website Sales
Crowdfunding
Partner Churches
Other
Royalties
Consultancy
Bank Account Interest
Total incoming resources
Payments
Bank Charges
Accountancy Fees
Jubilate Events
Jubilate Recording
Resound Events
Office Expenses
Postage & Packing
Sundry Expenses
Paypal, Distrokid, Zettle and Stripe Charges
Salaries & On Costs
Travel Expenses
Trustee Expenses
Website Expenses
Conferences & Training
Resound Recording
Resound CD/Book Re-printing
Royalty Payments
Total expenditure		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
£
£
£
26,981
3,906
30,887
41,700
-
41,700
524
-
524
54
-
54
2,329
-
2,329
-
-
-
48,367
5,737
54,104
185
-
185
9,467
-
9,467
1,370
-
1,370
5,392
-
5,392
-
-
-
1,900
-
1,900
35
-
35
9,951
-
9,951
1,458
-
1,458
149,713
9,643
159,356
60
-
60
720
-
720
-
-
-
3,694
-
3,694
32,257
5,737
37,994
3,544
-
3,544
364
-
364
255
-
255
1,738
-
1,738
91,833
3,000
94,833
1,222
-
1,222
451
-
451
371
-
371
1,595
-
1,595
313
906
1,219
1,994
-
1,994
2,404
-
2,404
142,815
9,643
152,458		 Total
Funds
2023
£
22,657
48,500
4
2
1,904
150
24,113
89
3,391
1,124
5,160
15,018
2,225
13
6,915
1,129
132,394
60
690
-
2,186
19,321
3,828
107
1,892
1,540
74,589
1,418
783
179
1,918
22,997
-
1,594
133,102

SONG & HYMN WRITERS FOUNDATION CIO

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

for the year ended 31[st] December 2024

Excess of Receipts over Payments
Reconciliation of funds
Bank Balances at 1 January 2024
Deficit/Surplus for Year
Bank Balances at 31 December 2024		 Unrestricted Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
£
£
£
6,898
-
6,898
50,110
-
50,110
6,898
-
6,898
£57,008
£-
£57,008		 Total
Funds
2023
£
(708)
50,818
(708)
£50,110

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities.

SONG & HYMN WRITERS FOUNDATION CIO

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES as at 31[st] December 2024

Assets
Cash Funds
Cash in Hand
CAF Cash Account
CAF Gold Account
Other Monetary Assets
Stock (at cost)
Debtors
Sales
PayPal
Gift Aid
Other
Total current assets
Liabilities
Creditors
Accountancy Fee
Payroll Fee
PayPal
Song Writing Retreat Fees
Song Challenge Fees
SWR Bursary
Royalties
Total net assets		 2024
£
-
8,594
48,414
57,008
18,229
25
4,410
3,073
625
83,370
756
-
135
10,243
904
-
2,336
14,374
£68,996		 2023
£
-
2,750
47,360
50,110
20,890
91
4,478
3,439
625
79,633
720
18
171
7,559
1,200
-
2,404
12,072
£67,561

The trustees confirm, in accordance with the Charitable Incorporated Organisations (General) regulations 2012, that at the year end the CIO did not have any outstanding guarantees to third parties nor any debts secured on the assets of the CIO.

These accounts were approved by the Board of Trustees on: 3rd July 2025 and are signed on their behalf by:

S Upcott

……………………………..

Chair of Trustees

A Guest

……………………………. Trustee