West Midlands Funders Network
Annual Accounts & Trustees Report for the year period 1st April 2021 to 31st March 2022 Registered Charity: 1173579
wmfn.org.uk
Contents
2 Structure, Governance and Management Names of Charity Trustees Names and addresses of advisors Names of senior staff with delegated responsibilities
4 WM Funders Network Strategy 5 Achievements and Performance 2021-22 Chair’s Report on behalf of Trustees Events held during the year
8 Financial Report 2021-22 9 Annual Accounts 2021-22
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Structure, Governance & Management
Registered Office
Registered Charity Number
West Midlands Funders Network c/o 109 Court Oak Road, Birmingham B17 9AA
1173579
Names of the Charity Trustees who manage the Charity
Pauline Roche – Chief Information Officer, RnR Organisation (Individual Member) – Chair (Stepped down as Chair, November 2021)
Steven Simpson – Chief Executive, Harborne Parish Lands Charity – Chair (elected as Chair, November 2021)
Lee Jagger – Regional Manager, Charity Bank - Vice Chair
Peter Hardisty – Grants Officer, Harborne Parish Lands Charity – Treasurer
Melinda Connelly – Head of Impact, UK Portfolio, BBC Children in Need
Tina Costello – Chief Executive, Heart of England Community Foundation
Yvonne Gilligan – Chief Executive, Edward’s Trust
Debbie Pippard – Director of Programmes, Barrow Cadbury Trust
Austin Rodriguez – Head of Stronger Communities, Solihull MBC
Stuart Ashmore – Deputy Chief Executive, Sandwell Council for Voluntary Organisations
Names and Addresses of Advisors
Bankers
Independent Examiner
Lloyds Bank 32-34 Alcester Rd South, King's Heath, Birmingham B14 7PU
Nick Wallace 196-198 Edward Road Balsall Heath Birmingham, B12 9LX
Secretary
Dipali Chandra West Midlands Funders Network c/o 109 Court Oak Road, Birmingham B17 9AA
Names of Senior Staff with Delegated Responsibilities
None
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The West Midlands Funders Network is Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) structured as a membership association.
In accordance with the Constitution, Trustees are appointed or reappointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.
There are up to 12 elected members. Members are funders of the voluntary and community sector in the West Midlands either as their primary remit or do some level of funding but is not their primary remit. Each pays an annual subscription and depending on the rate of their subscription can have several named representatives.
In electing Trustees, who must be members of West Midlands Funders Network, due consideration is given to ensuring that the Trustees have, between them, the skills and experience necessary to manage the charity effectively and in accordance with charity law. Skills gaps are identified through skills audits.
How New Trustees are Inducted and Trained:
New Trustees are introduced to the work of the West Midlands Funders Network by meeting with the Secretary and Chair as part of their induction and are invited to attend a Trustees meeting as an observer. An information pack of the constitution, organisational policies and procedures and relevant reports are provided.
Trustees are invited to attend a strategy review and planning session held every three years.
Additional Governance Issues:
The charity is run and managed by delegation of a workplan to an external contractor who meets regularly with the Chair, and with the Treasurer as required.
There are occasional working groups responsible for specific projects which the charity is, or is planning to, undertake, and task and finish groups that undertake reviews of policies & procedures.
The West Midlands Funders Network is able to hot desk from HPLC office and during the year contracted an Advisor to act as Secretary. There are no paid staff.
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Objectives
The object of the CIO is to promote efficiency and effectiveness in the charitable activities of voluntary and not-for-profit organisations and grant making charities working in the West Midlands and its environs ("the area of benefit") and the effective use of charitable resources for the public benefit in particular but not exclusively by promoting and developing good practice in the making of charitable grants by exchanging information, knowledge, expertise and experience.
Our Strategic Objectives for 2021-2024
Objective 1: Increase skills and expertise among members and others with an interest in civil society
Objective 2: Establish West Midlands Funders Network as the go-to organisation for information about issues of relevance to funding of civil society
Objective 3: Start to influence policy and practice among third parties in the region
Objective 4: Create a solid, sustainable organisation with a good reputation across the West Midlands
We believe that effective, responsive and resilient civil society organisations are critical to enabling people living in the West Midlands to improve the quality of their lives and thrive. By convening and co-ordinating events and activities between funders, civil society organisations and other expert stakeholders; providing peer support and networking; sharing and exchanging learning and information on good practice; encouraging joined up approaches; presenting evidence and intelligence gained from our grantmaking to decision-makers, we will enable funders to achieve more in their contribution towards improving the lives of people living in the West Midlands.
Statutory Declaration on Public Benefit
The charity makes decisions in ways that manage risks or harm to the charity and its beneficiaries consistent with the purpose of the charity, the charity commission guidance on public benefit.
No personal benefit is more than incidental.
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Achievements & Performance In 2021-22
Chair’s Report on behalf of the Trustees
The year started with communities emerging from a series of Government restrictions in response to the pandemic. COVID-19 brought to the fore many of the inequalities that have limited the quality of life and opportunities of residents in the West Midlands. With a strong focus on equity and inclusion, we held the annual conference on Equity, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in June 2021. The contributions from Fozia Ifran, DEI Coalition, Dave Rogers, Midlands Mencap, Joy Warmington and Asif Afridi, Brap, set the tone for the 2-day conference on building a better understanding of the changing priorities of DEI and approaches that can support funders to improve their approach. Ann Green, City REDI, Karen Saunders, Midlands Health Inequalities Unit, PHE, Austin Rodriguez, Solihull MBC and Stuart Ashmore, SCVO provided a critical overview of inequalities in the region and the challenges that face the public sector and VCS in addressing inequalities and exclusion. The final day of the conference focused on supporting funders in the West Midlands with the tools and guidance developed by the DEI Coalition and ACF, to take steps to improve DEI in their organisation and funding approach. Nearly 50 people booked to attend and there were between 21-31 participants per session. Many of those that attended found the sessions valuable in taking back new thinking on DEI and practice in improving equality in funding.
In May, we held a briefing on the Government’s increased funding to families with vulnerable children and young people through the Holiday Activity and Food Programme. This sparked an ongoing interest by several of the members to share their funding programme priorities that support individuals in need and gain a better understanding of where funding to vulnerable households and individuals was going. This was followed up in the year with a briefing in December on financial exclusion – focused on vulnerable households and individuals at risk of financial crisis and the government’s vulnerable household support Programme in response to the emerging cost of living crisis. By March 2022 a further event was organised to consider the impact of the war in Ukraine on fuel and food costs. Evidence provided by the region’s Trussell Trust and North Staffs and Stoke on Trent CAB showed the increased numbers using foodbanks and changing profile of users – many in employment. Feedback from members appreciated being kept abreast of continued increasing numbers in the region facing poverty and financial crisis and exploring ways to target and maximise the impact of limited funds. This will remain an ongoing concern for many of the Network’s members.
As I write this annual report the Birmingham Commonwealth Games provided a splendid opening ceremony in anticipation of 11-days of great sports and culture that will certainly raise the profile of the region. In advance of this the Network organised a briefing in July 2021 on what the Commonwealth Games will leave as a legacy for the region – in particular for those disadvantaged communities. Bethan Stimpson, Community Engagement and Legacy, OCG; Cat Orchard, Community Partnerships Birmingham City Council; Adam Rigarlsford; Regional Partnership Lead, Sport England; Sue Brueton, Grants Manager, NLCF, shared their plans and programmes leading up to the Games that encouraged local people to be increasingly engaged with the Games through volunteering, training and job opportunities, cultural and sports activities. However, it still remains unclear what the legacy of the Games will be on social and economic improvements for those most disadvantaged.
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Chair’s Report continued....
At the beginning of the year, an Early Action workshop in April was held. Jointly organised with Refugee Action and Sandwell’s Brushstrokes, members found the learning from approaches in the field of re-settling refugees was replicable in addressing poverty and social exclusion for other disadvantaged vulnerable groups and took from the session the key principles funders can apply when looking at early action approaches. We are grateful to Shivaji Shiva, VWV Solicitors for delivering a good practice event on the Charity Commission’s refresh of the charity governance code in April. In anticipation of UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November, Jane Cabutti, Environmental Funders Network delivered a seminar on embedding sustainability in funding policy and practice. The outcome highlighted the lack of knowledge and understanding on tackling climate change and moving towards a zero carbon approach. In January 2022, the Network piloted its first members roundtable exchange. The opportunity for members to share funding programme updates and change, local and regional intelligence, and insights and learning from funding work and practice was reflected in an excellent attendance.
Over the year, 335 people engaged with 10 events that were organised. Membership stood at 48 at the end of March 2022 with two new members joining: Lloyds Bank Foundation and National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Through social media we connected with 1,254 followers. Publications included 9 events and news updates per month and there were 6 news updates to members during the year. For all of the postings we were above the industry average for opening emails sent.
We have continued to build and expand relations with other national and local infrastructure bodies that support civil society, including Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF), Small Charities Coalition, West Midlands Communications Network, Councils for Voluntary Service in the West Midlands, Local Authorities in the West Midlands, West Midlands Combined Authority, West Midlands Coalition for Digital Inclusion, Birmingham Race Impact Group, Institute for Voluntary Action Research,360 Giving, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coalition, ACF’s Collaborative Funders Hub, Environmental Funders Network, NOMI (West Midlands Refugee support network), Data Collective, Datakind UK.
It is clear as we enter another period of crisis relating to fuel and cost of living that West Midlands funders are needed more than ever. The strategic objectives will remain the same for the forthcoming year, but will remain responsive to emerging issues in the year ahead to ensure that we can support and enable our members to use their funds effectively to achieve more in their contribution towards improving the lives of people living in the West Midlands.
Funds and Sponsorship
We remain grateful to members who continue to support West Midlands Funders Network through membership subscriptions. With additional contributions from particular members towards running costs, we have been able to develop the Network services. In particular funds secured from the Harry Payne Panel, Heart of England Community Foundation provided a grant towards a refresh of the Network’s communications and marketing We are also grateful for the ‘in kind support’ that members have provided.
Steven Simpson,
Chairman
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Events delivered during the year
April 2021
Workshop: Early Action Principles (joint event with Refugee Action) Lora Evans, RA Chair, Bethany Finch, BCC; Dave Newall, Brushstrokes; Emma Bates, Ignite, Central England Law Centre. 26 attendees
October 2021
Seminar: Embedding Sustainability in Funding Policy and Practice: Jane Cabutti, Growing Philanthropy Director, EFN; Ian Burrows, Head of Charities, Brewin Dolphin 16 attendees
November 2021
April 2021
Roundtable Discussion Refresh on Good Governance Code: Shivaji Shiva, VWV 9 attendees
AGM and Marketing and Communications Discussion: 20 attendees
December 2021
May 2021
Briefing: DfE Holiday Activity and Food Programme: Vicky O’Keeffe, HAF, DfE; Melinda Connelly, BBC CiN; Sue Brueton, NLCF; Tina Costello, HoECF; Louise Simmonds, Dudley MBC and Nicki Burrows, Dudley CVS; Lorna Holland Coventry CC and Diane Moffat MHCT; Louise Butler, Worcestershire CC 30 attendees
Briefing - Financial Inclusion: Responding to vulnerable households and individuals at risk of crisis: Kate Lees and Alison Hinds, Wolverhampton City Council and Joanne Robinson, Solihull MBC on existing government initiatives and the delivery of the Household Support Fund in the region; Katherine Hewitt, Gateway Family Service, Anne Gilford, Birmingham Citizen Advice, Chris Connor, Illegal Money Lending; Rachel Jones, Act on Energy on fuel poverty. 38 attendees
June 2021
Annual Conference: Diversity, Equity, Equality and Inclusion - Ali Harris, Equally Ours: Dave Rogers, Midland Mencap; Joy Warmington and Asif Afridi, Brap; Anne Green/ Rebecca Riley City REDI; Karen Saunders PHE; Austin Rodriguez, SMBC; Stuart Ashmore, SCVO; Sarah Newell, WCAVA; Max Rutherford, ACF; Fozia Irfan, BBC CiN/DEI Coalition 47 attendees
July 2021
January 2022
Members Roundtable Exchange 23 attendees
March 2022
Workshop: Supporting Individuals and households in Need: Marion Homer, Regional Foodbank Manager, Trussell Trust; Jay Lowe, Money Advice Manager, North Staffs and Stoke on Trent CAB 17 attendees
Briefing: How will the Commonwealth Games benefit disadvantaged communities and leave a legacy?: Bethan Stimpson, Delivery Lead, Community Engagement and Legacy; Cat Orchard, Community Partnerships Birmingham City Council; Adam Rigarlsford; Regional Partnership Lead, Sport England; Sue Brueton, Grant Manager, NLCF 26 attendees
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Financial Report 2021 - 2022
2021/22 has been a positive financial year for the organisation.
Income from membership subscriptions has grown again, now for the third year running, increasing by 6%. Donations have also increased on last year, with donations from Barrow Cadbury, The South Birmingham Friends, Harry Payne trust (c/o Heart of England), the David Owen Family Trust, and Limoges and Eveson Charitable Trusts. Income from donations has increased by 47% to £12,500; a figure all the more impressive when one considered that the organisation has separated grants and donation from sponsorship income for the first time this year.
Expenditure is reduced from the levels seen in 2020/2021. Despite this reduction however, expenditure still exceeded budget by £635. This is significantly lower than the deficit of £6, 524 experienced in 2021 and shows an improving financial position. In 2021/2022 the organisation spent £3,681 on marketing and consultancy and we believe that this investment is at least in part responsible for the increase in income. The organisation anticipates returning to surplus in the 2022 financial year.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic the organisation has adopted a blend of digital and physical approaches to events and session that has increased attendance, increased satisfaction and also increased the efficiency of the program of events allowing costs to be controlled.
The organisations balance sheet has increase in value by £6,365 during the period. This is reflective of a £7,000 accrual for income paid in advance in the form of numerous grants and donations. The cash position of the charity remains positive with £12,443 in the bank at the end of the year.
The trustees are still committed to building up an operational reserve and anticipate that as the organisation returns to surplus this will become possible. For this financial year the organisation has adopted accrual accounting in order to ensure our financial reporting is ready for the anticipated increase in income in future years and to make the management of such reserves more transparent.
Thanks to the hard work of all involved, the investment in marketing and communications and the adoption of new blended working practices the organisation has ensured it has sufficient resources to continue its mission and established a strong base for growth and development into 2023.
Peter Hardisty,
Treasurer
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West Midlands Funders Network Annual Accounts 2021-22
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|---|---|---|
|Receipts (Income)|This Year (2022)|Last Year (2021)|
|Allocation Membership Subscriptions|£ 6,263.00|£ 6,661.00|
|Event Income|£ 83.16|-|
|Donations from Other Trusts|£ 12,500.00|£ 8,500.00|
|Sponsorship|£ 1,000.00|-|
|Bank Interest|£ 0.12|£ 0.12|
|Bank Error|-|-|
|Total Receipts (Income)|£ 19,846.28|£ 15,161.12|
|Payments (Expenditure)|
|Secretariat Costs|£ 16,800.00|£ 18,200.00|
|Postage and Stationery Costs|-|£ 15.63|
|Travel Costs|-|-|
|-|-|
|Memberships and Subscriptions|
|Marketing and Consultancy|£ 3,681.20|£ 1,325.20|
|Events Costs|-|£ 2,144.00|
|Total Payments (Expenditure)|£ 20,481.20|£ 21,684.83|
|Surplus (Deficit) for the year|£ (634.92)|£ (6,523.71)|
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Midlands Funders Network wmfn.org.uk
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