THE AUTHORS' CONTINGENCY FUND
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
CHARITY No. 212406
THE AUTHORS' CONTINGENCY FUND
Charity Information
| Trustees | The Management Committee of |
|---|---|
| The Society of Authors | |
| Charity Number | 212406 |
| Charity Offices | c/o The Society of Authors |
| 24 Bedford Row | |
| London WC1R 4EH | |
| Independent Examiner | Simon Goodridge FCA |
| Knox Cropper LLP | |
| Chartered Accountants | |
| 65 Leadenhall Street | |
| London EC3A 2AD | |
| Bankers | HSBC |
| The Peak | |
| 333 Vauxhall Bridge Road | |
| Victoria | |
| London SW1V 1EJ | |
| Investment Managers | LGT Wealth Management UK LLP |
| 14 Cornhill | |
| London | |
| EC3V 3NR |
THE AUTHORS' CONTINGENCY FUND
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' Report | 1 - 2 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 3 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 4 |
| Balance Sheet | 5 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 6 - 12 |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE AUTHORS' CONTINGENCY FUND
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2023. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Accounting and Reporting by Charities, Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (second edition effective 1 January 2019).
Trustees
The Society of Authors is the corporate Trustee of the charity and has acted throughout the year.
Investment powers and Risk Management
The Trust Deed authorises the Trustees to make and hold investments using the Capital Funds of the charity. These are shown in detail in the notes to the financial statements. The principal area of risk concerns the management of the investments, the income from which provides the principal source of funds from which the awards are paid. The investments are therefore kept under constant review by the investment managers.
Constitution, objects and policies
This Charity was constituted under a Trust Deed dated 21[st] July 1960, amended on 28[th] March 1963, to pay grants to authors in financial need. The policy of the Authors' Contingency Fund continues to be to pay grants in accordance with the Trust Deed out of the income generated by the investments and donations and to seek additional donations wherever possible.
Public Benefit
In reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities, the Trustees refer to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees policy is to operate on the basis of being able to continue to generate sufficient incoming resources to use toward meeting their charitable objectives and to accord with their principal terms. The Trustees are of the opinion that the funds remain sufficient to enable them to continue this ongoing objective. The charity has sufficient but not excessive funds to service its objective of making future charitable distributions.
Achievements and Performance of the charity
At the end of 2022 the charity received a grant of £300,000 from the Hawthornden Literary Retreat to fund an increase in grantmaking to help writers in need in 2023.
The total number of grants awarded in the year was 262 (2022: 181).
The criteria for these grants was to provide provision for the relief of Authors who were suffering financial difficulties due to the after effect of the Covid19 pandemic combined with the cost of living crisis, the number of applicants for these grants has remained high and the grant from the Hawthornden Literary Retreat has enabled The Society of Authors’ Contingency Fund to support more writers in this time of need. The agreed small grants, typically in the region of £1,000-£2,000 were to provide quick emergency relief to these authors. All grants were assessed on the basis of an application form and covering statement supplied by the applicant, these were all sifted by staff for eligibility and where necessary additional information was requested. All eligible applications were then forwarded to assessors to read and review. The Assessors then did a final review at regular meetings (always two assessors and one member of staff) where the final decision and the amount to be awarded was recorded. The Authors’ Contingency Fund is now more widely known and with the current squeeze on income due to the cost of living crisis the aim of the Authors’ Contingency Fund is to continue to fundraise and support writers who are suffering financial hardship.
1
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE AUTHORS' CONTINGENCY FUND
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Financial Review
The results for the year ended 31[st] December 2023 are attached and show a Net decrease in funds of £330,200 (2022: £204,863 increase) after including grants and donations received of £67,615 (2022: £478,005) and paying Charitable Grants of £386,678 (2022: £276,430) helping 262 authors during the year (2022: 181). The realised gain on the disposal of investments this year was £255 (2022: £602 loss) and the unrealised increase in market value of investments this year amounted to £22,646 (2022: £82,157 decrease). The investments appear in the Balance Sheet at their market value at of £466,593 (2022: £521,642). As a result, the Total Funds carried forward at the year-end amount to £508,553 (2022: £815,852) comprising restricted funds of £nil (2022: £300,000) and unrestricted funds of £508,553 (2022: £515,852) and the Trustees consider that the charity has sufficient income and capital to meet its obligations in the foreseeable future.
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’.
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales, the Charities Act 2011, requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
-
observe the methods and the principles of the Charity SORP;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue to operate.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the board of Trustees on 16[th] May 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin – Chair of the Management Committee, The Society of Authors
2
THE AUTHORS' CONTINGENCY FUND
YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2023
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of The Authors’ Contingency Fund
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Authors’ Contingency Fund for the year ended 31[st] December 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts as required under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the 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 give me cause to believe that in any material aspect:
-
a) accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
b) the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
c) the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than the 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.
Simon Goodridge FCA Knox Cropper LLP Chartered Accountants 65 Leadenhall Street London EC3A 2AD Date: 24 May 2024
3
THE AUTHORS’ CONTINGENCY FUND
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Notes Income Grants and Donations 2 Investment Income - Dividends 3 - Bank Interest Other income 4 Total Expenditure Raising funds: Investment Management Fees Charitable activities 5 Total Net income/(expenditure) before gains/(losses) on investments Net gains/(losses) on investments 8 Net income/(expenditure) Transfers between funds Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted £ 67,615 18,416 112 7,385 93,528 2,598 121,130 123,728 (30,200) 22,901 (7,299) - (7,299) 515,852 £508,553 |
Restricted £ - - - - - - 300,000 300,000 (300,000) - (300,000) - (300,000) 300,000 £- |
2023 Total £ 67,615 18,416 112 7,385 93,528 2,598 421,130 423,728 (330,200) 22,901 (307,299) - (307,299) 815,852 £508,553 |
2022 Total £ 478,005 18,113 95 11,133 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 507,346 | ||||
| 2,752 299,731 |
||||
| 302,483 | ||||
| 204,863 | ||||
| (82,759) | ||||
| 122,104 - |
||||
| 122,104 693,748 |
||||
| £815,852 |
The notes form part of these Financial Statements
4
THE AUTHORS’ CONTINGENCY FUND
BALANCE SHEET
31[st] DECEMBER 2023
| Notes FIXED ASSETS Quoted Investments – at Market Value 6 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors and Prepayments 9 Cash held by Investment Managers Cash at bank CURRENT LIABILITIES Amounts due within one year 10 Net Current Assets TOTAL NET ASSETS 13 Represented by: ACCUMULATED FUNDS Restricted Funds 11 Unrestricted Funds 12 TOTAL FUNDS |
2023 £ £ 466,593 - 36,139 9,098 45,237 (3,277) 41,960 £508,553 - 508,553 £508,553 |
2022 £ £ 521,642 665 4,279 292,444 297,388 (3,178) 294,210 £815,852 300,000 515,852 £815,852 |
2022 £ £ 521,642 665 4,279 292,444 297,388 (3,178) 294,210 £815,852 300,000 515,852 £815,852 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £815,852 | |||
| 300,000 515,852 |
|||
| £815,852 |
Approved by the Trustees on 16[th] May 2024 and signed on their behalf
Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin – Chair of the Management Committee, The Society of Authors
The notes form part of these Financial Statements
5
THE AUTHORS’ CONTINGENCY FUND
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
-
a) These financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS102, have been prepared under the historical cost convention. They have been prepared in accordance with applicable United Kingdom accounting standards, the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities’, in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK (FRS 102 ) and the Charities Act 2011. The presentational currency of the financial statements is Pound Sterling (£).
-
b) General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objects of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors which have been raised by the Charity for particular purposes. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
-
c) Grants and donations are credited to incoming resources on the earlier date of when they are received or when they are receivable, unless they relate to a specific future period, in which case they are deferred. All other incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Investment income is recognised on an accruals basis.
-
d) All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been included under expense categories that aggregate all costs for allocation to activities. Support costs, including governance costs, which cannot be directly attributed to particular activities, have been apportioned proportionately to the direct costs allocated to the activities.
-
e) Awards paid include all amounts payable in the year in accordance with the terms of the Trust Deed.
-
f) Investments are a form of basis financial investment and are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price. The statement of financial activities includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluations and disposals throughout the year.
-
g) The Trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern basis is appropriate and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of these financial statements.
The Trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing its financial statements.
6
THE AUTHORS’ CONTINGENCY FUND
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| 2. GRANTS AND DONATIONS Unrestricted £ Restricted Grants – Hawthornden Literary Retreat - Unrestricted Other donations 56,667 Gift aid – tax reclaimed 10,948 £67,615 3. INVESTMENT INCOME Unrestricted £ NON GOVERNMENT BOND FUNDS ASC (Offshore) Global Fixed Interest Fund Z Income 2,461 ASC (Offshore) Sterling Fixed Interest Fund Z Income 1,785 4,246 MULTI ASSET CHARITY INVESTMENT FUNDS ASC Income Fund Z 14,170 TOTAL £18,416 |
2. GRANTS AND DONATIONS Unrestricted £ Restricted Grants – Hawthornden Literary Retreat - Unrestricted Other donations 56,667 Gift aid – tax reclaimed 10,948 £67,615 3. INVESTMENT INCOME Unrestricted £ NON GOVERNMENT BOND FUNDS ASC (Offshore) Global Fixed Interest Fund Z Income 2,461 ASC (Offshore) Sterling Fixed Interest Fund Z Income 1,785 4,246 MULTI ASSET CHARITY INVESTMENT FUNDS ASC Income Fund Z 14,170 TOTAL £18,416 |
Restricted £ - - - £- Restricted £ - - - - £- |
2023 Total £ - 56,667 10,948 £67,615 Gross Income 2023 £ 2,461 1,785 4,246 14,170 £18,416 |
2022 Total £ 300,000 176,421 1,584 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £478,005 | |||||||
| Gross Income 2022 £ 2,558 1,535 |
|||||||
| 4,246 14,170 |
4,093 14,020 |
||||||
| £18,416 | £18,113 |
7
THE AUTHORS’ CONTINGENCY FUND
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
4. OTHER INCOME
OTHER INCOME |
||
|---|---|---|
| Royalties | 2023 £ 7,385 £7,385 |
2022 £ 11,133 |
| £11,133 |
5. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| DIRECT Awards paid INDIRECT Assessors fees Administration costs Other expenses GOVERNANCE Independent Examiner’s fee Comparative year DIRECT Awards paid INDIRECT Assessors fees Administration costs Other expenses GOVERNANCE Independent Examiner’s fee |
Unrestricted £ 86,678 7,500 24,000 312 2,640 £121,130 Unrestricted £ 275,140 6,250 14,400 131 2,520 £298,441 |
Restricted £ 300,000 - - - - £300,000 Restricted £ 1,290 - - - - £1,290 |
2023 Total £ 386,678 7,500 24,000 312 2,640 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 421,130 | |||
| 2022 Total £ 276,430 6,250 14,400 131 2,520 |
|||
| £299,731 |
8
THE AUTHORS’ CONTINGENCY FUND
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
6. INVESTMENTS
| Cost Market Value £ £ NON GOVERNMENT BOND FUNDS ASC (Offshore) Global Fixed Interest Fund Z Income 53,452 44,573 ASC (Offshore) Sterling Fixed Interest Fund Z Income 49,402 44,442 102,854 89,015 MULTI ASSET CHARITY INVESTMENT FUNDS ASC Income Fund Z 365,700 377,578 Totals at – 31stDecember 2023 £468,554 £466,593 31stDecember 2022 £547,681 £521,642 7. MOVEMENT IN COST ON INVESTMENTS 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ Cost at 1 January 2023 547,681 562,139 Disposals ASC Income Fund Z (79,127) (14,458) (79,127) (14,458) Cost at 31 December 2023 £468,554 £547,681 8. MOVEMENT IN MARKET VALUES OF INVESTMENTS 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ Market Value at the beginning of the year 521,642 619,902 Disposal Proceeds (77,950) (15,501) Investment Gains/(losses) 22,901 (82,759) (55,049) (98,260) Market value at year end £466,593 £521,642 Realised gains/(losses) 255 (602) Unrealised gains/(losses) 22,646 (82,157) £22,901 £(82,759) 9. DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS 2023 2022 £ £ Other debtors - 665 £- £665 |
Cost Market Value £ £ NON GOVERNMENT BOND FUNDS ASC (Offshore) Global Fixed Interest Fund Z Income 53,452 44,573 ASC (Offshore) Sterling Fixed Interest Fund Z Income 49,402 44,442 102,854 89,015 MULTI ASSET CHARITY INVESTMENT FUNDS ASC Income Fund Z 365,700 377,578 Totals at – 31stDecember 2023 £468,554 £466,593 31stDecember 2022 £547,681 £521,642 7. MOVEMENT IN COST ON INVESTMENTS 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ Cost at 1 January 2023 547,681 562,139 Disposals ASC Income Fund Z (79,127) (14,458) (79,127) (14,458) Cost at 31 December 2023 £468,554 £547,681 8. MOVEMENT IN MARKET VALUES OF INVESTMENTS 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ Market Value at the beginning of the year 521,642 619,902 Disposal Proceeds (77,950) (15,501) Investment Gains/(losses) 22,901 (82,759) (55,049) (98,260) Market value at year end £466,593 £521,642 Realised gains/(losses) 255 (602) Unrealised gains/(losses) 22,646 (82,157) £22,901 £(82,759) 9. DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS 2023 2022 £ £ Other debtors - 665 £- £665 |
Cost Market Value £ £ NON GOVERNMENT BOND FUNDS ASC (Offshore) Global Fixed Interest Fund Z Income 53,452 44,573 ASC (Offshore) Sterling Fixed Interest Fund Z Income 49,402 44,442 102,854 89,015 MULTI ASSET CHARITY INVESTMENT FUNDS ASC Income Fund Z 365,700 377,578 Totals at – 31stDecember 2023 £468,554 £466,593 31stDecember 2022 £547,681 £521,642 7. MOVEMENT IN COST ON INVESTMENTS 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ Cost at 1 January 2023 547,681 562,139 Disposals ASC Income Fund Z (79,127) (14,458) (79,127) (14,458) Cost at 31 December 2023 £468,554 £547,681 8. MOVEMENT IN MARKET VALUES OF INVESTMENTS 2023 2022 £ £ £ £ Market Value at the beginning of the year 521,642 619,902 Disposal Proceeds (77,950) (15,501) Investment Gains/(losses) 22,901 (82,759) (55,049) (98,260) Market value at year end £466,593 £521,642 Realised gains/(losses) 255 (602) Unrealised gains/(losses) 22,646 (82,157) £22,901 £(82,759) 9. DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS 2023 2022 £ £ Other debtors - 665 £- £665 |
|---|---|---|
| £521,642 | ||
| (602) (82,157) |
||
| £(82,759) | ||
| 2022 £ 665 £665 |
||
9
THE AUTHORS’ CONTINGENCY FUND
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
10. CREDITORS AND ACCRUALS
| . CREDITORS AND ACCRUALS |
||
|---|---|---|
| Investment Managers’ Fees Professional Fees |
2023 £ 637 2,640 £3,277 |
2022 £ 658 2,520 |
| £3,178 |
11. RESTRICTED FUNDS
| Hawthornden Literary Retreat Total |
Balance at 1 January 2023 Income Expenditure Transfers Balance at 31 December 2023 £ £ £ £ £ 300,000 - (300,000) - - |
|---|---|
| £300,000 £- £(300,000) £- £- |
The Hawthornden Literary Retreat grant was to fund an increase in grant-making. Grants were awarded to 204 individuals in 2023 and the fund is now fully expended.
| Prior year The Francis W Reckitt Arts Trust Hawthornden Literary Retreat Total |
Balance at 1 January 2022 Income Expenditure Transfers Balance at 31 December 2022 £ £ £ £ £ 1,880 (1,290) (590) - - 300,000 - - 300,000 |
|---|---|
| £1,880 £300,000 £(1,290) £(590) £300,000 |
Grants from The Francis W Reckitt Arts Trust were provided to fund residential stays for professional writers.
10
THE AUTHORS’ CONTINGENCY FUND
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
12. UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
| Unrestricted Fund Prior year Unrestricted Fund |
Balance at 1 January 2023 Income Expenditure Investment Gains/ (Losses) Transfers Balance at 31 December 2023 £ £ £ £ £ £ 515,852 93,528 (123,728) 22,901 - 508,553 |
|---|---|
| £515,852 £93,528 £(123,728) £22,901 - £508,553 |
|
| Balance at 1 January 2022 Income Expenditure Investment Gains/ (Losses) Transfers Balance at 31 December 2022 £ £ £ £ £ £ 691,868 207,346 (301,193) (82,759) 590 515,852 |
|
| £691,868 £207,346 £(301,193) £(82,759) £590 £515,852 |
13. NET ASSETS
| Fixed asset investments Net current assets Prior year Fixed asset investments Net current assets |
Unrestricted £ 466,593 41,960 £508,553 Unrestricted £ 521,642 (5,790) £515,852 |
Restricted £ - - £- Restricted £ - 300,000 £300,000 |
2023 Total £ 466,593 41,960 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £508,553 | |||
| 2022 Total £ 521,642 294,210 |
|||
| £815,852 |
14. TRUSTEES REMUNERATION
No Trustee received any remuneration in respect of their services as trustees during the year (2022: £-). No trustees were reimbursed for our of pocket travelling expenses in the year (2022: £-).
11
THE AUTHORS’ CONTINGENCY FUND
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
15. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
The Society of Authors, which is the corporate Trustee of the charity, carried out management services for the charity and charged a management fee for the year amounting to £24,000 (2022: £14,400).
The Hawthornden Literary Retreat grant of £300,000 in the prior year was received by The Society of Authors from CAF America and regranted to the charity.
16. COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| Income Donations and Legacies Investment Income - Dividends - Bank Interest Other income Total Expenditure Raising funds: Investment Management Fees Charitable activities Total Net income/(expenditure) before Investment gains/(losses) Net gains/(losses) on investments Net income/(expenditure) Transfers Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted £ 178,005 18,113 95 11,133 207,346 2,752 298,441 301,193 (93,847) (82,759) (176,606) 590 (176,016) 691,868 £515,852 |
Restricted £ 300,000 - - - 300,000 - 1,290 1,290 298,710 - 298,710 (590) 298,120 1,880 £300,000 |
2022 Total £ 478,005 18,113 95 11,133 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 507,346 | |||
| 2,752 299,731 |
|||
| 302,483 204,863 |
|||
| (82,759) | |||
| 122,104 - |
|||
| 122,104 693,748 |
|||
| £815,852 |
12