REWRITING EXTINCTION ANNUAL REPORT 2022 REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Governing document: Charitable Incorporated Organisation Constitution Board of Trustees: Sarah FLorence Lord (appointed 19 May 2022) Marie Negus (appointed 19 May 2022( (resigned 5 Sept 2022) Sarah ELizabeth Greenfield Clark (appointed 27 April 2022) Dr ALister Scott (appointed 25 August 2022) Rachael Clay (appointed 25 August 2022) Paul Goodenough (appointed 17 March 2022) (resigned 5 September 2022) The trustees, who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financiaL statements of the charity for the period 17 March 2022 to 31 December 2022. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice appLicabLe to charities preparing their accounts in accordance wit the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and RepubLic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective l January 2019). Founder and Chief Executive Officer: Paul Goodenough Registered off ice: 41-43 Market Place, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 3H R Bankers: Natwest, Chatham, Waterside Court, Western Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4RT Independent examiner: Mander DuffilL, The Old Post Office, 41- 43 Market Place, Chippenham SN15 3HR Charity Number: 1198287 Company Number: CE028629 @rewritingextinction Page 1 rewritingextinction.com
AN INTRODUCTION FROM OUR CHAIR, SARAH GREENFIELD CLARK Rewriting Extinction has such an important role to play and offers something truly unique in addressing the planetary crisis. Messages about planetary destruction, species loss and the climate crisis are being wilfuLly ignored by vast swathes of the globaL population. The majority are disengaged, disinterested, overwhelmed by and even hostile to these issues. We urgently need to find ways to cut through. Rewriting Extinction exists to reach beyond the echo chambers and works with NGOS, foundations, influencers, celebrities, notables, creatives, content specialists, experts, campaigners, and people with lived experience of the planetary crisis to help engage those audiences. We generate compelling stories and narratives that reach reLevant audiences on the most critical issues, and through those, we seek to accelerate positive environmental action by increasing mass public support and momentum. This is our first year and already we have achieved so much. Having delivered proof of concept with the epic publishing of The Most Important Comic Book On Earth, our operations have expanded into new genres and mediums so that we can meet people in the spaces where they spend the most of their time. We're particularly excited to bring to life projects that showcase issues and solutions from indigenous perspectives. Whilst the subjects we engage with often activate emotions such as grief and anger, (which we now know can serve as a powerful catalyst moving people from apathyll, it is through this work with our incredibLe network of Rewriting Extinction talent and supporters that we find our hope and courage to create aLternative futures. Sarah Greenfield Clark. Chair of Trustees @rewritingextinction Page 2 rewritingextinction.com
OBJECTIVES Rewriting Extinction's charitable objects are: To promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment by: Raising awareness, primarily through the use of comics and accessible stories, of the importance of biodiversity, the effects of climate change, and effective ways the public can reduce their carbon footprint and promote biodiversity. Providing funding and grants for charities and/or other organisations which promote the conservation, protection, and improvement of the physical and natural environment and which promote biodiversity. @rewritingextinction Page 3 rewritingextinction.com
LOOKING BACK AT OUR ACTIVITIES IN 2022 2022 was an incredible year of growth for us, and cemented our position as disruptive environmental content creators. In terms of our charitable objectives, our big moments included helping to drive 1.3m signatures to the Greenpeace petition on a Global Oceans Treaty Inow agreed and ratified by the United Nations), collecting the IOOk+ signatures needed to debate the passing of a new law on Swift Bricks in the UK at the Houses of Parliament, key relationships content creation and audience outreach with Love Island, Netflix, Google, BBC Earth, Idris Elba, Robert Sheehan, Jane Goodall and more, which helped reach over 200m people with a Large proportion being outside the'climate bubble,. Further achievements happened in our partnership world, with new partnerships forged with Netflix, BBC Earth, Universal Studios, Channel 4, Aardman and more, enabling us to take our work into traditionaL media and broadcast with several TV shows and fiLms in development with talent including Leonardo Dicaprio, Adam McKay, Richard Curtis, Idris and Sabrina Elba. We also engaged communities, creators and NGOS in underserved communities in collaborating on cLimate content, including Indonesia, India, Colombia & Latin America, Singapore, KPop, Reality TV Fans and U K LGBTQ+ communities. Internally, we have also stabiLised and grown, enabling us to better fulfil our charitable objectives to reach new people and engage them in the cLimate crisis. We have forged partnerships with foundations and trusts including the Climate and Land Use Alliance, GSCC and Partners for a New Economy- with other key relationships being cultivated for 2023. With the funding this attracted, we were then able to hire our first full time role of Lead Producer, and engaged several part-time roles including Chief Operating Officer, SociaL Media Manager, Social Media Assistant and Team Assistant, growing our output and stabilising our future. We Look forward to an exciting year aheadl Paul G odenough. Founder and CEO @rewritingextinction Page 4 rewritingextinction.com
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE- WHAT REWRITING EXTINCTION HAS ACHIEVED IN 2022 In 2022, Rewriting Extinction has undertaken a wide range of actions to reach different audiences on issues of climate change, species Loss and environmental destruction. We delivered around 1.3 miLLion signatures to the UN GLobaL Oceans Treaty through our comic work and engaging Instagram Live sessions. This was nearly 20¥0 of the totaL signatures gathered and added significant public pressure towards the ratification of the treaty, which happened in early 2023. Rewriting Extinction's commitment to climate advocacy continued with the creation of various content pieces aimed at encouraging the WorLd Bank CEO, David Malpass, to take more effective action to combat the climate crisis. Rewriting Extinction also spearheaded a pangolin adoption campaign alongside BobbLejot and Born Free and ventured into the world of political cartoons with artists inc. Ben Jennings, Joel Pett, Drew Sheneman, and Jane GoodaLL. We also joined forces with Love IsLand's Lucie Donlan and the Pacific Climate Warriors for an impactful initiative on oceans. We assisted climate and bird activist Hannah Bourne-TayLor with her 'Swift Bricks, campaign, organising a world-renowned body painter to paint her as the embodiment of birds for the campaign, and her speech at Speakers Corner. She was featured in multiple news outlets, and was on Piers Morgan's TV show to discuss the campaign. The campaign received over 100,000 signatures and was debated in ParLiament and is now being championed by Zac Goldsmith. We extended our reach through a partnership with BBC Earth and coLlaborations with Richard Curtis on multipLe projects across Make My Money Matter, Project Everyone, and Global Goals. We engaged in meaningful related to climate communications discussions at Palestinian universities, forged new partnerships with BBC and Aardman Animation. @rewritingextinction Page 5 rewritingextinction.com
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE- WHAT REWRITING EXTINCTION HAS ACHIEVED IN 2022 During the year we have also strengthened our governance, developed our Strategy, improved our internal and financial systems, consolidated our impact model, and have been able to grow the smaLL team. This has resulted in a more focused approach with increased output and efficiency. Rewriting Extinction nurtured vital relationships with organizations such as CLUA, CECG, GSCC, ECF, Blue Marine Foundation, WDC, ReList Wolves, and International Animal Rescue. Furthermore, we have built new connections with major foundations, and continue to soLidify our reputation as impactfuL advocates for climate action and global change. @rewritingextinction Page 6 rewritingextinction.com
FINANCIAL REVIEW Performance The charity was formalLy established in March 2022. In the year total income was £105,616 Notes on income and expenditure: Rewriting Extinction began building a fundraising base that included donations, grant income and sales. This enabled the activities and achievements outlined above to be achieved. The charity has been running a very lean operation in order to maintain a low cost base while deLivering on its core mission. The charity is extremely grateful to those individuals and organisations who have bought into the vision and have supported the work in 2022. Staff wages were low as the charity made use of consuLtancy arrangements in the early stages of the charity's deveLopment. Governance costs were zero. @rewritingextinction Page 7 rewritingextinction.com
FINANCIAL REVIEW Key rlsks at the start of 2023 are: l. Medium and long-term funding At the end of the year there were well advanced conversations with potential funders to support both specific projects and the charity more generaLLy. It is natural in this start-up phase for there to be difficulty in predicting growth rate. The charity needs to develop a Larger, more diverse portfolio of funding in 2023 and beyond in order to deLiver on its mission. igalo. a) Increase focus on gaining new major funding from trusts, foundations, NGOS and philanthropists b) Nurture our existing key funder reLationships c) Use unrestricted income to support the growth and sustainability of the charity 2. Financial risk related to low reserves Reserves need to be buiLt in order to mitigate financial risk. The trustees acknowLedge that this will take time. In the meantime, the trustees are cognisant of cashflow issues and the need for timely forecasting. a) See risk I b) The charity needs to ensure that in this start up phase that it keeps expenditure as low as it can c) ReguLar, timely review of cashflow, income and expenditure and forecast Reserves Policy The Trustees have set a desired reserves position of 3 months of operating costs. Trustees recognise that the charity needs to have sufficient cash and reserves to absorb short term fLuctuations in income. The level of unrestricted reserves needs to consider both the pLans of the charity and the wider economic climate. However, the Trustees also reaLise that buiLding reserves takes time and that the mitigations mentioned above seek to address this. @rewritingextinction Page 8 rewritingextinction.com
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Rewriting Extinction was constituted as a company limited by guarantee and is governed by a Constitution. The charity was incorporated on 17 March March 2022. Appointment and Recruitment of Trustees The members of the Board are its Trustees for the purpose of charity law and are the Directors of the charitable company for the purpose of company law. Appointment of Trustees is governed by the Constitution of the charitable company. The number of Trustees appointed should not be less than three and no more than twelve. There were six new trustee appointments in the period and one trustee resignation. Organisational Structure The Trustees had seven fulL formal meetings in 2022. In addition to the fuLL Board meetings, there was active engagement of trustees in aLL aspects of the charity's work including communications, fundraising and finance. Senior Staff The CEO brought in a part-time COO in May to support the establishment and strengthening of systems and to work with him and the Trustees in developing strategy. Pay and Remuneration Rewriting Extinction is an equal opportunities empLoyer and applies objective criteria to assess merit. Pay reviews are held with staff annually. @rewritingextinction Page 9 rewritingextinction.com
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Risk assessment and management The Trustees are aware of the major strategic, business and operational risks that the charity faces and are of the opinion that there are systems in pLace to minimise any perceived risks. Risk is regularLy discussed by the Board on aLL issues that might affect the running of the organisation. Public Benefit In deciding on which activities to undertake we have taken into consideration Charity Commission guidance on public benefit. The Trustees are satisfied that the charity meets these guidelines with regard to delivering pubLic benefit. Independent Examiner Mander DuffiLI Chartered Accountants The Old Post Office 41-43 Market Place Chippenham Wiltshire SN15 3HR Approved by order of the Board of Trustees on 29 September 2023 and signed on its behalf by: Sarah Greenfield Clark. Trustee Charity Number: 1198287. Company Number: CE028629 @rewritingextinction Page 10 rewritingextinction.com
| for the Period | 17March 2022to31 Decemb | er 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | |||
| Notes | fundf | ||
| INCOME FROM | |||
| Donations and legacies |
47,147 | ||
| Charitable activities |
|||
| Media production Grants received |
income | 45,298 13,171 |
|
| Total | 105,616 | ||
| EXPENDITURE | ON | ||
| Raising funds | 85,591 | ||
| Charitable activities |
|||
| Media production | income | 1,320 | |
| Other | 7,024 | ||
| Total | 93,935 | ||
| NET INCOME | 11,681 | ||
| TOTAL FUNDS | CARRIED FORWARD | 11,681 |
| Rewritin Extinction |
||
|---|---|---|
| Balance Sheet | ||
| 31 December 2022 | ||
| Unrestricted | ||
| fund | ||
| Notes | ||
| CURRENT ASSETS | ||
| Cash at bank | 17,696 | |
| CREDITORS | ||
| Amounts falling due within one year |
(6,215) | |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 11,681 | |
| TOTAL ASSETSLESSCURRENT | ||
| LIABILITIES | 11,681 | |
| NET ASSETS | 11,681 | |
| FUNDS | ||
| Unrestricted funds |
11,681 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 11,681 |
| CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE W/THIN O | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE W/THIN O | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE W/THIN O | NE YEAR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade creditors | 2,461 | |||
| Social security | and other taxes | 634 | ||
| Aocrued | expenses | 3,120 | ||
| 6,215 | ||||
| MOVEMENT | IN FUNDS | |||
| Net | ||||
| movement | At | |||
| in funds | 31.12.22 | |||
| E | 6 | |||
| Unrestricted | funds | |||
| General | fund | 11,681 | 11,681 | |
| TOTAL | FUNDS | 11,681 | 11,681 |
| Net movemsnt | in funds, included in the a |
bove are as follows: | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | ||
| resources | expended | infunds | ||
| F | F | |||
| Unrestricted | funds | |||
| General fund | 105,616 | (93,935) | 11,681 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 105,616 | (93,935) | 11,681 |
| CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN O | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN O | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN O | NE YEAR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade creditors | 2,461 | |||
| Social secudity | and other taxes | 634 | ||
| Accrued | expenses | 3,120 | ||
| 6,215 | ||||
| MOVEMENT | IN FUNDS | |||
| Net | ||||
| movement | At | |||
| in funds | 31.12.22 | |||
| 6 | 6 | |||
| Unrestricted | funds | |||
| General | fund | 11,681 | 11,681 | |
| TOTAL | FUNDS | 11,661 | 11,681 |
| Net movement | in funds, included in the a |
bove are as follows: | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | ||
| resources | expended f |
in funds | ||
| Unrestricted | funds | |||
| General fund | 105,616 | (93,935) | 11,681 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 105,616 | (93,935) | 11,681 |