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2023-12-31-accounts

Charity registration number 290609

FRIENDS OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY

ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

FRIENDS OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees J.H. McFadden
J.D. Fishburn
C.D. Quillen III
R.G. Howells
C. Wright
J.V. Baker
J O'Regan
Charity number 290609
Principal address 1 Mulgrave Chambers
26-28 Mulgrave Road
Sutton
Surrey
SM2 6LE
Independent examiner Hannah Sibley FCA
TC Group
5th Floor
3 Dorset Rise
London
EC4Y 8EN
Bankers National Westminster Bank Plc
Kidderminster Branch
24 High Street
Kidderminster
Worcs
DY10 2DL
Legal advisors Mc Fadden, Pilkington & Ward LLP
1 Mulgrave Chambers
26-28 Mulgrave Road
Sutton
Surrey
SM2 6LE

FRIENDS OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees' report 1 - 3
Independent examiner's report 4
Statement of financial activities 5
Statement of financial position 6
Notes to the financial statements 7 - 14

FRIENDS OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY

TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's Trust Deed, the Charities Act 2011 and “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)” (effective 1 January 2019).

Objectives and activities

The objectives of the trust are:

The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Trust's aims and objectives and in planning future activities.

The Trust's objectives are met in such proportion and manner as the Trustees shall in their absolute discretion from time to time determine.

Achievements, performance and financial review

Total income and expenditure for the year is shown on page 5.

Approaches for donations were made during the year, which resulted in income of £458,599 (2022: £1,015,167) generated by way of donations of £413,219, donated professional services of £15,000 by McFadden, Pilkington & Ward LLP, gifts in kind of £30,280 in relation to professional fees paid by a related party on behalf of the charity and £100 of AML compensation.

Expenditure in the year amounted to £534,174 (2022: £3,251,694) of which £488,448 (2022: £3,207,084) is represented by payments to Harvard University, £356 (2022: £726) relates to JustGiving fees and commissions and £45,370 (2022: £43,884) was incurred in connection with governance costs.

Fair value movements on investments amounted to £151 (2022: £28,627) primarily relating to the change in valuation of shares between acquisition and disposal.

The Statement of Financial Position on page 6 of the financial statements shows the financial position of the Trust as at 31 December 2023.

Total assets less liabilities amounted to £371,405 (2022: £447,131) which is represented by the accumulated balance on the restricted income fund of £368,987 and an accumulated balance on the unrestricted income fund of £2,418.

FRIENDS OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The Trust is committed to using its resources in pursuit of its charitable objects. It is also committed to maintaining a level of reserves that is prudent to meet on-going liabilities, sufficient to ensure that all commitments can be met and to protect the long-term future of its operations. It is the Trust's policy to retain sufficient reserves to cover administration costs and commitments for a period of one year.

The Trustees have considered the future cashflows and ability to call on trusted donors to cover operating expenses should this be required. The Trustees are satisfied that the current level of reserves are appropriate to its circumstances as grants to the University are only made out of donations received and there will be sufficient resources to cover the operating expenses of the charity.

Risk management

The Trustees have identified, monitored, and reviewed significant risks and have implemented systems and processes to manage and mitigate those risks. The main risks are associated with the continued donations from long term donors and ensuring that donations are generated from new Harvard Alumini and friends of Harvard in the business community. The Trustees review ongoing pledges and have a strong presence in the UK to continue to develop new relationships with donors. The Trustees are satisfied with the current risk management procedures in place which they believe satisfactorily mitigate the identified risks.

Fundraising Statement

The Charity's fundraising activities focus on existing relationships with a small number of individual donors and businesses. The Charity has not engaged with any professional fundraisers to raise funds. No complaints were received in relation to the Charity's fundraising activities.

Plans for the future

The trust's future plan is to work in the most efficient and effective way towards achieving its objectives.

Structure, governance and management

The Trust was established by a charitable deed on 25 October 1984 and is a registered charity No. 290609. It is governed by this deed and by the Charities Act 2011.

The Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: J.H. McFadden

J.D. Fishburn C.D. Quillen III R.G. Howells C. Wright J.V. Baker J O'Regan

The President of Harvard University has the right to nominate all new trustees with the existing trustees obliged to appoint such nominees. Additional trustees may be appointed at any time, but the total number shall not be less than three or more than nine.

The Trust has no employees. The day to day administration of the charity is provided by Charles Dominic Services Limited.

FRIENDS OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY

TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales 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 the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that 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.

On behalf of the board of Trustees

J.H. McFadden

Trustee Dated: 23 October 2024

FRIENDS OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

TO THE TRUSTEES OF FRIENDS OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are set out on pages 5 to 14.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's 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 charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 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

Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

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 financial statements to be reached.

Use of this report

This report is made solely to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My independent examination work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity’s trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for my independent examination work, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed.

Hannah Sibley FCA Chartered Accountant (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales) Independent Examiner

TC Group 5th Floor 3 Dorset Rise London EC4Y 8EN

Dated: 24 October 2024

FRIENDS OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2023
Notes
£
£
Income and endowments from:
Voluntary income
3
45,280
413,219
Other income
2
100
-
Total income
45,380
413,219
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
4
-
356
Charitable activities
5
45,489
488,329
Total expenditure
45,489
488,685
Fair value movements on investments
11
-
(151)
Net expenditure for the year/
Net movement in funds
(109)
(75,617)
Fund balances at 1 January 2023
2,527
444,604
Fund balances at 31 December 2023
2,418
368,987
Total
Total
2023
2022
£
£
458,499
1,015,167
100
-
458,599
1,015,167
356
726
533,818
3,250,968
534,174
3,251,694
(151)
(28,627)
(75,726)
(2,265,154)
447,131
2,712,285
371,405
447,131

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

FRIENDS OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

Notes
Fixed assets
Investments
12
Current assets
Debtors falling due after one year
13
Debtors falling due within one year
13
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
14
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Income funds
Restricted funds
15
Unrestricted funds
2023
£
166,143
211,594
32,722
410,459
(39,106)
2022
£
£
52
333,453
120,751
181,329
635,533
(188,466)
371,353
371,405
368,987
2,418
371,405
£
64
447,067
447,131
444,604
2,527
447,131

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 23 October 2024

J.H. McFadden Trustee

FRIENDS OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Friends of Harvard University is a charity registered in England & Wales with registration number 290609. The principal address is 1 Mulgrave Chambers, 26-28 Mulgrave Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 6LE.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's Trust Deed, the Charities Act 2011 and “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)” (effective 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of the investment portfolio at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

The unrestricted income fund consists of funds to be used to meet ongoing overheads and administrative expenses.

The restricted funds, which are wholly payable to Harvard University, are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.

1.4 Incoming resources

Donations, legacies and other forms of voluntary income are recognised as income when receivable.

Donated services are recognised at their estimated open market value, with an equivalent amount recognised as expenditure.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

FRIENDS OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

1.5 Resources expended

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. All expenses, including governance costs, are allocated to the applicable expenditure headings in the statement of financial activities.

Grants payable are payments to Harvard University in the furtherance of the charitable objects of the Trust.

1.6 Fixed asset investments

Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net gains/ (losses) on investments for the year in the Statement of Financial Activities. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.

1.7 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include deposits held at call with banks.

1.8 Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

1.9 Foreign exchange

Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate ruling at the date of the transaction.

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. All differences are included in total charitable expenditure.

2 Other income

Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2023 2022
£ £
Other income 100 -

FRIENDS OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

3 Voluntary income

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
£
£
Donations and gifts
-
413,219
Donated goods and services
45,280
-
45,280
413,219
For the year ended 31 December 2022
43,800
971,367
4
Expenditure on raising funds

Agents commissions
Other fundraising costs
5
Charitable activities
Grant funding of activities (see note 6)
Governance costs (see note 8)
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Total
Total
2023
2022
£
£
413,219
971,367
45,280
43,800
458,499
1,015,167
1,015,167
Restricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
£
£
356
726
2023
2022
£
£
488,448
3,207,084
45,370
43,884
533,818
3,250,968
45,489
72,047
488,329
3,178,921
533,818
3,250,968
Total
2022
£
971,367
43,800
1,015,167
1,015,167
2022
£
3,207,084
43,884
3,250,968
72,047
3,178,921
3,250,968

FRIENDS OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

6 Grants payable

Grants to institutions:
Harvard University
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
2023
£
488,448
119
488,329
488,448
2022
£
3,207,084
28,163
3,178,921
3,207,084

7 Trustees

None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or reimbursed expenses from the charity during the year.

8 Governance costs

Audit and accountancy fees
Legal and professional
Bank charges
2023
£
12,280
33,000
90
45,370
2022
£
12,300
31,500
84
43,884

Audit and accountancy fees include £6,900 (2022: £9,000) paid to the Trust's accountants for the Independent Examination (2022: Audit) of these financial statements, £900 for the balance of the 2022 audit fees and £4,480 (2022: £3,300) for other services.

9 Employees

There were no employees during the year or in the prior year. Day to day administration of the charity is provided by Charles Dominic Services Limited.

10 Taxation

The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

FRIENDS OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

11 Fair value movements on investments

Restricted Restricted
funds funds
2023 2022
£ £
Fair value movements on investments (139) (28,511)
Revaluation of listed investments (12) (116)
(151) (28,627)
Fixed asset investments
Listed
investments
£
Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2023 64
Valuation changes (12)
At 31 December 2023 52
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2023 52
At 31 December 2022 64
Debtors
2023 2022
Amounts falling due within one year: £ £
Other debtors 211,594 120,751
2023 2022
Amounts falling due after more than one year: £ £
Other debtors 166,143 333,453
Total debtors 377,737 454,204

12 Fixed asset investments

13 Debtors

FRIENDS OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

14
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
2023
£
30,906
8,200
39,106
2022
£
178,866
9,600
188,466
Investments
Balance at
gains/losses
31 December 2023
£
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
225,000
-
-
-
123,004
-
20,983
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(151)
-
(151)
368,987
Restricted funds The income funds of the charity include restricted funds, the movement for which is set out below: Balance at
Incoming
Resources
Investments
Balance at
Incoming
Resources
1 January 2022
resources
expended
gains/losses
1 January 2023
resources
expended
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
Stephanie Hui and Harold Wong Goldman Sachs Gives Scholarship Fund
107,805
-
(107,805)
-
-
-
-
Philippe Wamba Fund for Summer
365,241
-
(365,241)
-
-
-
-
Danny and Manizeh Rimer Gallery Fund
1,833,465
162,131
(1,967,085)
(28,511)
-
-
-
Undergraduate level students of Greek or Romanian origin Goldman Sachs Gives
375,000
-
(75,000)
-
300,000
-
(75,000)
Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard
-
263,245
(263,245)
-
-
-
-
Harvard Business School for the HBS Fund
-
102,834
(73,913)
-
28,921
244,889
(150,806)
Learn to Fish Christian Research Endowment Fund
-
196,933
(81,250)
-
115,683
13,175
(107,875)
Harvard Law School in support of Annual Scholarship Funds
-
53,438
(53,438)
-
-
-
-
Dyvik Henke Family Undergraduate Financial Aid Fund
-
51,875
(51,875)
-
-
-
-
Graduate School Fund Fellowship in Physics
-
38,427
(38,427)
-
-
50,631
(50,631)
ADS Endowed UWCS Fund
-
29,500
(29,500)
-
-
-
-
Kennedy School of Government for the HKS Fund
-
25,625
(25,625)
-
-
25,450
(25,450)
Others (Less than £25,000)
-
47,359
(47,359)
-
-
79,074
(78,923)
2,681,511
971,367
(3,179,763)
(28,511)
444,604
413,219
(488,685)
The charity's restricted funds comprise monies to be granted to Harvard University for the purposes specified by donors, as set out above.
15

FRIENDS OF HARVARD UNIVERSITY

16 Related party transactions

Donations include £15,000 of donated services by McFadden, Pilkington & Ward LLP (2022: £15,000), a law firm in which Trustee, J McFadden is a partner.

Donations include £30,280 (2022: £28,800) of donations in kind in relation to the payment of professional fees received from Harvard Global, a related entity responsible for external payments of the charity.

During the year ended 31 December 2023, grants of £488,448 (2022: £3,207,084) were awarded to Harvard University, which has the right to nominate all new Trustees.