FOCUS FOUNDATION (Registered Charity No. 1194519)
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
FOCUS FOUNDATION
INDEX TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
| 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 2024
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 Trustee name Office Dates acted if not for the whole Christopher Goodman Chairman David Hill Emma Stroude Elaine Goodman
Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)
Trustee name None
Dates acted if not for the whole year
FOCUS FOUNDATION CHARITY NUMBER: 1194519
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Description of the charity's trusts
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 2024
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)
Since the start of 2025 we further defined our mission as Connecting communities to empower Grassroots Charities to thrive.
We dedicate our resources to understanding the community around us and the Grassroots Charities that need additional support. Focus Foundation, serves the community by funding impactful projects and by providing these charities with essential resources, which includes helping grow volunteering teams.
Our Grant Committee consider grant applications that meet our core criteria:
-
The charity or community group needs to have an annual income of less than £1m
-
They must be able to demonstrate running costs of less than 35%
-
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 2024
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
In the year to 30th November 2024 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 £350,905 and issued grant payments of £257,251 to 49 successful grant applicants.
Significant Activities
The year’s total income of £350,905 was made up of fundraising (£298,405) and income from Focus Group (£52,500).
The most notable fundraising activities included:
-
Focus Foundation Winter Ball which raised £129,836
-
Focus Group Golf Day raising £54,889
-
Brighton Family Panto which raised £4,335
The Payroll Giving Scheme with Focus Group sees over 100 of their staff opted in as regular donors and these donations, once matched by Focus Group raised £39,680 throughout the year.
In terms of grants, we approved and paid 49 grants in year, totalling £257,251. This saw an average grant size of £5,250.
Based on the information provided by the grant applicants, these funds positively impacted a total of 93,181 beneficiaries.
Achievements against Objectives
The charity continues to go from strength to strength in delivering its mission of Connecting communities to empower Grassroots Charities to thrive. In the year to November 2024, we can report the following:
| Total no. of grants approved or issued: | 49 |
|---|---|
| Total sum of grants approved or issued: | £257,251 |
| Total direct beneficiaries: | 23,502 |
| Total indirect beneficiaries: | 69,679 |
| As at June 2025 we can report the following: | |
| Total no. of grants approved or issued to date: | 142 |
| Total sum of grants approved or issued to date: | £826,058 |
| Total beneficiaries to date: | 71,712 |
| Total indirect beneficiaries to date: | 217,166 |
These grants have been evenly spread across our 2024 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.
In 2025 was also welcomed Lloyd Magee as a Trustee.
Reflection from Chris Goodman (Founder, Trustee and Chairman)
“As I reflect on 2024, I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together at Focus Foundation. The year was one of resilience, growth, and measurable impact. Our evolving mission – to connect communities and empower Grassroots Charities to thrive - has been brought to life through the dedication of our team, partners, and supporters. As we look ahead, we remain steadfast in our mission. The challenges are great, but so are the opportunities. With the lessons of 2024 guiding us, I am confident that we will continue to drive lasting impact in 2025 and beyond.”
3
FOCUS FOUNDATION CHARITY NUMBER: 1194519
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Significant Events
In the financial year our total income was £350,905.
49 grants were paid during the financial year totalling £257,251, with total costs of £94,121 being 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 23 Sep 2025
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 2024 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
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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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)
Address: 30-34 North Street Hailsham East Sussex BN27 1DW
Date: 23 Sep 2025
5
FOCUS FOUNDATION CHARITY NUMBER: 1194519
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
| SECTION A STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES | |
|---|---|
| Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total funds funds funds funds £ £ £ £ A1 Incoming Resources Events 184,725 - 184,725 Donations 126,500 126,500 Payroll giving scheme 39,680 39,680 - - - Sub total 350,905 - - 350,905 Total incoming resources 350,905 - - 350,905 A3 Resources Expended Charitable activities Grants awarded 257,251 - - 257,251 Cost of generating funds Fundraising fees (note 3) 87,942 - - 87,942 Governance costs Charity running costs (note 4) 6,179 - - 6,179 - - - Sub total 351,371 - - 351,371 Total resources expended 351,371 - - 351,371 Net movement in funds 466 - - - 466 - A5 Transfers between funds - - - - Funds brought forward 114,400 - - 114,400 Total funds carried forward 113,934 - - 113,934 |
Last year £ 150,136 109,217 37,440 - |
| 296,793 | |
| 296,793 | |
| 244,870 130,678 8,822 - |
|
| 384,370 | |
| 384,370 | |
| 87,577 - |
|
| - 201,977 |
|
| 114,400 |
6
FOCUS FOUNDATION CHARITY NUMBER: 1194519
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
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 Grants awarded not paid Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all trustees |
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total funds funds funds funds £ £ £ £ 137,086 - - 137,086 6,861 - - 6,861 4,000 4,000 - |
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total funds funds funds funds £ £ £ £ 137,086 - - 137,086 6,861 - - 6,861 4,000 4,000 - |
|---|---|---|
| 147,947 - - |
147,947 | |
| Fund to which Amount When liability relates due due Unrestricted 17,047 < 1 year - 16,966 < 1 year - - - - - - |
17,047 16,966 - - |
|
| - 34,012.74 - |
113,934 | |
| Signature Print name Date of approval 23 Sep 2025 |
7
FOCUS FOUNDATION CHARITY NUMBER: 1194519 NOTES TO ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
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 | 2024 2023 257,251 244,870 |
|---|---|
| 257,251 244,870 |
8
FOCUS FOUNDATION CHARITY NUMBER: 1194519 NOTES TO ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2024
3. Analysis of Costs of Generating Funds
| Event hosting costs Advertising & promotional costs Donation processing costs |
2024 2023 87,282 129,892 98 328 562 457 |
|---|---|
| 87,942 130,678 |
4. Analysis of Governance Costs
| IT & systems costs General marketing activities Bank charges |
2024 2023 5,777 6,492 116 1,602 286 728 |
|---|---|
| 6,179 8,822 |
5. Analysis of Charitable Funds
| Unrestricted funds Restricted funds |
Balance Incoming Resources Balance b/fwd resources expended c/fwd £ £ £ £ 114,400 350,905 351,371 - 113,934 - - - - - |
|---|---|
| 114,400 350,905 351,371 - 113,934 |
9
Issuer
Issuer Watson Associates Document generated Tue, 23rd Sep 2025 8:05:56 BST
Document fingerprint 24d8db0c404caa4d69fa05a74d25a06b
Parties involved with this document
Document processed
Party + Fingerprint
Tue, 23rd Sep 2025 8:47:46 BST Tue, 23rd Sep 2025 18:27:30 BST
Chris Goodman - Signer (5a36ca2702d778edd4e460304ec935e0) Steve Moore - Signer (b730621605272b4863d577b48ff0f45a)
Audit history log
Date
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