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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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##
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||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|
##
##
##
##
##
##
##
##
##
##
##
##
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|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|