**FOCUS FOUNDATION (Registered Charity No. 1194519)**
## **REPORT AND ACCOUNTS**
**YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023**
**FOCUS FOUNDATION**
## **INDEX TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Trustees annual report|1-4|
|Independent examiner's report|5|
|Section A Receipts & payments|6|
|Section B Statement of assets and liabilties at the end of the period|7|
**FOCUS FOUNDATION CHARITY NUMBER: 1194519**
**TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023**
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION DETAILS**
**Name of Charity** Focus Foundation
**Charity's principle address** Focus House Ham Road Shoreham-by-Sea West Sussex BN43 6PA
## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity**
Dates acted if not for the whole Trustee name Office period Christopher Goodman Chairman David Hill Emma Stroude Elaine Goodman
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
**Type of governing document** Constitution
**How the charity is constituted** Association
**Trustee selection methods** Elected at convened meeting of charity trustees
**Additional governance issues** _**(optional information)**_ None
1
**FOCUS FOUNDATION CHARITY NUMBER: 1194519**
**TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023**
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
The trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, including the guidance 'public benefit: running and charity (PB2)'.
The official ‘objects’ of Focus Foundation as per our constitution documents are: to advance such charitable purposes (according to the law of England & Wales) as the charity trustees see fit from time to time.
Focus Foundation is an independent grant-giving charity funding a wide range of programmes across the UK, and a philanthropic arm of Focus Group (www.focusgroup.co.uk)
Our mission is to Connect communities to make a positive and lasting difference to people’s lives
Our core funding is directed at charities who support either underprivileged children & young people, or mental health, with a focus on grass roots charities where even small grants can make a huge difference to people's lives.
Our Grant Committee consider grant applications that meet our core criteria:
- The charity or community group must support one of our three core pillars;
- Socially or economically underprivileged children or young people (24 or under)
- **-** Mental Health charities and initiatives
- Charitable or community projects, local to one of Focus Group’s regional offices
- The charity or community group needs to have an annual income of less than £2m
- The grant should be for a tangible project with clear and measurable benefits
## **They then assess the application looking at:**
**Efficiency.** What proportion of its income is spent on core costs?
**Governance.** Is there clear direction, reporting and accountability?
**Scope.** Are the aims & objectives of the project clear, with measurable benefits? **Tangibility.** Is the project funding something that directly benefits someone?
**Impact.** How many direct or indirect beneficiaries are there? **Budget.** Is the project well costed and planned?
**Sustainable.** Are there long-term benefits to the community?
In summary we assess the scale, efficiency, governance of the charity, and the scope budget and impact of the project – we ensure the money is spent on something tangible, with measurable benefits, and we look for projects that offer a sustainable impact on people and the community.
2
**FOCUS FOUNDATION CHARITY NUMBER: 1194519 TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023**
## **ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE**
In the year to 30th Nov 2023 our charity countinued to expand its fundraising initiatives and and saw a significant increase in number of grant applications received. We saw total income of £296,793 and issued grant payments of £244,870 to 48 successful grant applicants.
## **Significant Activities**
The year’s total income of £296,793 was made up of fundraising (£249,793) and income from Focus Group (£47,000).
The most notable fundraising activities included the Focus Foundation Winter Ball which raised £84,533, the Focus Group Golf Day raising £52,198 and a Best of British Comedy night raising £28,000.
Our Payroll Giving Scheme launched in June 22 continued throughout the year, in conjunction with Focus Group over 100 of their staff opted in as regular donors and these fund, once matched by Focus Group raised £37,440 throughout the year.
In terms of grants, we approved and paid 48 grants in year, totalling £244,870. This saw an average grant size of £5,101. Based on the information provided by the grant applicants, these funds positively impacted a total of 96,180 beneficiaries.
## **Achievements against Objectives**
The charity continues to go from strength to strength in delivering it’s mission of Connecting Communities to help Change Lives. In the year to November 2023 we can report the following:
|Total no. of grants approved or issued:|48|
|---|---|
|Total sum of grants approved or issued:|£244,870|
|Total direct beneficiaries:|21,719|
|Total indirect beneficiaries:|74,461|
|As at September 2024 we can report the following:||
|Total no. of grants approved or issued to date:|94|
|Total sum of grants approved or issued to date:|£524,904|
|Total direct beneficiaries to date:|42,286|
|Total indirect beneficiaries to date:|142,028|
These grants have been evenly spread across our primary pillars of Mental Health, Underprivileged Children & Young Adults and Local Community Projects.
We are also pleased to confirm that Focus Group continues to fund 100% of the running costs of the charity.
3
**FOCUS FOUNDATION CHARITY NUMBER: 1194519**
## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023**
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
## **Significant Events**
In the financial year our total income was £296,793
48 grants were paid during the financial year totalling £244,870. Total costs of £139,499 were incurred by the charity.
## **Reserves**
The trustees aim to maintain free reserves in unrestricted funds at a level which equates to approximately three months unrestricted charitable expenditure. The trustees consider that this level will provide sufficient funds to respond to application for grants and ensure that here are sufficient funds available to cover support and governance costs.
## **Pay Policy for senior staff**
In the financial year, Focus Foundation had no paid employees, only volunteers.
## **DECLARATION**
## **The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees' report above.**
## **Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees**
Signature(s) Full name(s) Christopher Goodman Position Chairman Date 26 Sep 2024
4
**FOCUS FOUNDATION CHARITY NUMBER: 1194519**
## **Independent examiners' report to the trustees of Focus Foundation**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the period ended 30 November 2023 set out on pages 6-8.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act")
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all 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 which gives me cause o believe that in, any material respect:
- the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
- the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
- the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other then any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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.
## **Signed by Mr Stephen J Moore FCCA (Independent Examiner)**
S J Moore
Address: 30-34 North Street Hailsham East Sussex BN27 1DW
Date: 26 Sep 2024
5
**FOCUS FOUNDATION CHARITY NUMBER: 1194519**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023**
## **SECTION A STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Endowment**
**Total**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
£
£
£
£
**A1 Incoming Resources**
Events
150,136
-
-
150,136
Donations
109,217
-
109,217
Payroll giving scheme
37,440
37,440
**-**
**-**
**-**
_Sub total_
296,793
-
-
296,793
_Total incoming resources_
296,793
-
-
296,793
**A3 Resources Expended**
**_Charitable activities_**
Grants awarded
244,870
-
-
244,870
**_Cost of generating funds_**
Fundraising fees (note 3)
130,678
-
-
130,678
**_Governance costs_**
Charity running costs (note 4)
8,822
-
-
8,822
-
-
-
_Sub total_
384,370
-
-
384,370
_Total resources expended_
384,370
-
-
384,370
_Net movement in funds_
87,577
-
-
-
87,577
-
**A5 Transfers between funds**
-
-
-
-
Funds brought forward
201,977
-
-
201,977
**Total funds carried forward**
114,400
-
-
114,400|**Last year**
£
114,367
117,261
11,100
**-**
242,728
242,728
71,533
9,658
10,749
-
91,940
91,940
150,788
-
51,189
201,977|
|---|---|
6
**FOCUS FOUNDATION CHARITY NUMBER: 1194519**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023**
## **SECTION B STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITES AT THE END OF THE PERIOD**
|**B1 Current assets:**
Cash at bank
Prepaid expenditure
Other debtors
_Total cash funds_
**B5 Current Liabilities**
Income in advance
Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all trustees|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Endowment**
**Total**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
£
£
£
£
65,151
-
-
65,151
53,394
-
-
53,394
1,800
1,800
-
120,345
-
-
120,345
**Fund to which**
**Amount**
**When**
**liability relates**
**due**
**due**
Unrestricted
5,945.00
< 1 year
5,945
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5,945.00
-
114,400
Signature
Print name
Date of approval
Chris Goodman
26 Sep 2024|
|---|---|
7
**FOCUS FOUNDATION CHARITY NUMBER: 1194519 NOTES TO ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023**
## **1. Accounting Policies**
## **Basis of Preparation**
The financial statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention, with the exception that investments are included at market value. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2005) issued in March 2005 and applicable UK Accounting Standards and the Charities Act 1993.
## **Funds Structure**
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by the donor or trust deed. At the year end, all funds were unrestricted.
## **Incoming Resources**
All incoming resources are recognised once the charity has entitlement to the resources, it is certain that the resources will be received and the monetary value of incoming resources can be measured with sufficient reliability.
## **Resources Expended**
Liabilities are recognised as resources expended as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category.
Grants payable are payments made to third parties in the furtherance of the charitable objects of the Trust. Single or multi-year grants are accounted for when either the recipient has a reasonable expectation that they will receive a grant and the trustees have agreed to pay the grant without condition, or the recipient has a reasonable expectation that they will receive a grant and any condition attaching to the grant is outside of the control of the Trust.
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. Analysis of Charitable Activities**
|Grants awarded to institutions|**2023**
**2022**
244,870
71,533
**244,870**
**71,533**|
|---|---|
8
**FOCUS FOUNDATION CHARITY NUMBER: 1194519 NOTES TO ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2023**
## **3. Analysis of Costs of Generating Funds**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
2023 2022
Event hosting costs 129,892 3,906
Advertising & promotional costs 328 5,536
Donation processing costs 457 216
130,678 9,658
4. Analysis of Governance Costs
2023 2022
IT & systems costs 6,492 10,749
-
General marketing activities 1,602
Bank charges 728 -
8,822 10,749
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **5. Analysis of Charitable Funds**
|Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds|**Balance**
**Incoming**
**Resources**
**Balance**
**b/fwd**
**resources**
**expended**
**c/fwd**
£
£
£
£
201,977
296,793
384,370
-
114,400
-
-
-
-
-
201,977
296,793
384,370
-
114,400|
|---|---|
9
**Issuer** Watson Associates **Document generated** Thu, 26th Sep 2024 15:09:10 BST **Document fingerprint** 1675beca67faf024733c0dec201ae842
## **Parties involved with this document**
## **Document processed**
## **Party + Fingerprint**
Thu, 26th Sep 2024 15:17:57 BST Chris Goodman - Signer (aa1702114c9f20950cd2e1efaf522848) Thu, 26th Sep 2024 16:27:26 BST Steve Moore - Signer (ced459d7413c7d7afe51511ad1f0aa83) **Audit history log Date Action** Thu, 26th Sep 2024 16:27:27 BST Steve Moore viewed the envelope (51.155.44.241) Thu, 26th Sep 2024 16:27:26 BST This envelope has been signed by all parties (51.155.44.241) Thu, 26th Sep 2024 16:27:26 BST Steve Moore signed the envelope (51.155.44.241) Thu, 26th Sep 2024 16:27:19 BST Steve Moore viewed the envelope (51.155.44.241) Thu, 26th Sep 2024 16:26:44 BST Steve Moore viewed the envelope (20.254.225.254) Thu, 26th Sep 2024 16:26:24 BST Steve Moore viewed the envelope (51.155.44.241) Thu, 26th Sep 2024 15:18:11 BST Steve Moore opened the document email. (20.90.17.67) Thu, 26th Sep 2024 15:17:59 BST Document emailed to Rachael.tate@watsons.co.uk (52.56.232.59) Thu, 26th Sep 2024 15:17:59 BST Chris Goodman viewed the envelope (82.132.224.59) Thu, 26th Sep 2024 15:17:58 BST Sent the envelope to Steve Moore (rachael.tate@watsons.co.uk) for signing (82.132.224.59) Thu, 26th Sep 2024 15:17:58 BST Chris Goodman signed the envelope (82.132.224.59) Thu, 26th Sep 2024 15:16:54 BST Chris Goodman viewed the envelope (82.132.224.59) Thu, 26th Sep 2024 15:13:00 BST Chris Goodman opened the document email. (91.220.42.77) Thu, 26th Sep 2024 15:12:55 BST Document emailed to chris.goodman@focusgroup.co.uk (18.175.160.105) Thu, 26th Sep 2024 15:12:55 BST Sent the envelope to Chris Goodman (chris.goodman@focusgroup.co.uk) for signing (51.155.44.241) Thu, 26th Sep 2024 15:09:10 BST Document generated with fingerprint 1675beca67faf024733c0dec201ae842 (51.155.44.241) Thu, 26th Sep 2024 15:09:10 BST Envelope generated by Rachael Tate (51.155.44.241)