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2025-03-31-accounts

Charity registration number NIC100012

Company registration number NI001792 (Northern Ireland)

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees Ms C Brooks Ms Patricia Lewsley-Mooney CBE Mr L Devine Ms B Arthurs Ms O Black Mr S Dallas Ms A Cusack Ms M Cavanagh Mr D Nutt Mr P Lynch Ms R McLaughlin Mr R Venanzio Mr J Emmanuel Secretary Ms C McStravick Charity number NIC100012 Company number NI001792 Registered office 61 Duncairn Gardens Belfast BT15 2GB Auditor GMcG BELFAST Alfred House 19 Alfred Street Belfast BT2 8EQ Bankers AIB 35 University Road Belfast BT7 1ND Solicitors Elliott Duffy Garrett 40 Linenhall Street Belfast BT2 8BA

(Appointed 6 December 2024) (Appointed 6 December 2024) (Appointed 23 October 2024) (Appointed 6 December 2024)

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

CONTENTS

Page
Chair's statement 1
Trustees' report 2 - 9
Independent auditor's report 10 - 15
Statement of financial activities 16
Balance sheet 17
Statement of cash flows 18
Notes to the financial statements 19 - 38

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION CHAIR'S STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 l am plea8ed to present this Chair's Statement for the financlal year ended 31 March 2025. as part of NICVA'S Annual Report and Flnancial Statements. It Is a privilege to reflect on a year that. atthough has brought continued uncertalnly, has also offered the opportunty for renewed sense of purp08e for th8 voluntary, community and social enterprlse (VCSE) seclor in Northern Ireland. On behalf of the Board of Trustees. l extend sincere Ihanks to NICVA'S Senior Leadership Team particularly our Chief Executlve. Celine Mcslravick, as well as the wlder NICVA staff team, whos8 dedication underplns everything w8 delfver. l also thank my fellow truslees for their leadership, resilience, and unwavering commilmenl Ihroughout Ihe year. Against a backdrop of increasing financlal pressures - includlng rising National Insurance Contributions NICVA worked to ensure Ihe sector's voice was heard. We supported our mernbers in direct engag8ment with fund8fs and government departments, advocating for greater recognition of the realities facin9 organlsatlons across Ihe sector. NICVA also played a18adlng role In a coordlnaled campaign to safeguard the UK Shared Prosperity Fund IUKSPF), highlighting 115 essentlal contribution to communltlès and individuals furthest from the labour mark8t, Thi5 collectlve effort 8ecur8d a one-year transition fund - a crhlcal intervenlion thal protecled service8 whlle long8r-18rm $olutlons ere consld8r•d. Looking ahead. we are fo¢u8ed on influencing the dev81opment of the Government's proposed Growth Fund. continuing to advocate for a fair, inclu81ve. and strategic approach lo fulure investment. A major milestone dufSng the year wag NICVA'S firsl-ever Fulum Thinking Summit. Co-designed wlth over 90 organlsations and attend8d by more than 350 delegates. Ihe evenl provided a bold and inspiring platform to showcase thè sector's dopth of èxpertise, Innovation. and leadershlp, It maiked a shlft In perc8plion - posltioning Ihe VCSE 8aCtor as not only a vllal service provlder, l)ul as a strateglc partner In shaping a more aquitable socloty. NICVA also supported the Joint Forum In launching a refreshed Partner8hlp Agroement wilh the Northern Ireland Executive. This renewed commilrnenl underscores the Importance of trust, equality. and collaboratlon belween government and the sector- values thal aro especially vital In loday's climale. As 202￿28 marks Ihe final year of NICVAS currenl Strategic Plan, the Board is now focused on shaping the nexl strategK period. We are committed to setting a clear and ambilious vlsion thal 8nables NICVA to continue deliverlng meanlngful impact for our members and fostering a strong. confident and sustalnable VCSE sector, In all that lies ahead, we will remain guided by NICVA'S core values: courage, collaboration, care and a commitment lo excellence. MSCB Ch•lr

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.

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 Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 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 Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) is the umbrella body for the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland with a membership of over 1,500 members. The Charity supports, represents, and promotes its membership and the voluntary and community sector and is committed to equality, social justice, embracing diversity and opposing discrimination.

NICVA provides support through information, training and advice including governance, charity law reform, fundraising, finance, human resources, advocacy, and management development. NICVA represents the interests of the sector across all government departments and with all stakeholders making sure the health and well-being of the sector are looked after. In addition, NICVA runs a conference facility for the use of voluntary and community organisations.

The trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit. The trustees are confident that NICVA's aims, and objectives are in accordance with the regulations on public benefit.

The objects for which the charity is established are to promote, develop and support the voluntary and community sector and any purpose for the benefit of the community in Northern Ireland and in any other part of the world which are, or hereafter may be deemed by law, to be charitable and in particular:

Achievements and performance

This year marked the fourth in NICVA’s new five-year strategic plan for April 2021-March 2026.

Our Strategic Goals

Four strategic goals determine our programmes of work over the five-year period. Each goal is supported by a series of operational goals and a series of outcomes which specifies the changes we want to see, our priorities for the five years and how we will achieve them. The priorities identified against the goals are not exhaustive and evolve as the context changes. Our strategy is underpinned by our Vision, Mission and Values which drives all that we do.

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

NICVA undertook a refresh of its Values and updated them in September 2024 to reflect its new values of:

Courage:

We take action in the face of challenges, speak up for our sector and communities, and push the boundaries to find innovative solutions for positive change.

Collaboration:

We work with others across and beyond the sector, sharing expertise and embracing new ideas to help shape our work and increase our impact.

Caring:

We act with empathy and kindness, treat everyone fairly, respect the insight and diversity of others and support each other to succeed.

Committed to excellence:

We strive for the highest standards, using data and sector feedback to continually improve and innovate.

Strategic Goal 1: Support

Helping the VCS to innovate , develop and improve to meet the needs of the communities it serves.

We do this by:

Key outputs in the year included:

Strategic Goal 2: Influence

Helping the VCS to influence policy.

We do this by:

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Key outputs in the year included:

Strategic Goal 3: Develop

Helping the VCS consolidate and develop the use of Data, Digital and Technology.

We do this by:

Key outputs in the year included:

Strategic Goal 4: Invest

Ensuring continuous improvement to provide the best service to our members.

We will do this by:

Key outputs in the year included:

As April 2025-March 2026 represents the final year of NICVA’s five-year strategic plan period (April 2021-March 2026), the Executive Committee have commenced the development of a new strategic plan to be implemented from April 2026.

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Financial review

The results are set out in detail on pages 16 to 38. NICVA returned a net increase in funds for the year of £630,059 (2024 - net decrease of £108,431), of which £39,475 related to a net decrease in unrestricted funds and £669,534 related to a net increase in restricted funds. The increase in restricted funds in the year is largely due to £730,000 recognised in the year from Atlantic Philanthropies in relation to a capital project.

The net decrease in unrestricted funds includes pension provision expenditure of £9,651 (2024 - £144,240).

At 31 March 2025, the total funds of the charity amounted to £2,717,622 (2024 - £2,087,563) comprising restricted funds of £1,706,248 (2024 - £1,036,714) and unrestricted funds of £1,011,374 (2024 - £1,050,849). The unrestricted funds at the year end are after accounting for a pension provision of £170,641 (2024 - £194,120). Further details of pension provisions are provided in note 19.

NICVA receives a core grant from the Department for Communities which contributes to the delivery of its core work as described in the strategic plan. Furthermore, NICVA delivers contracts on behalf of other funders such as Belfast City Council and The Executive Office which also support the delivery of NICVA’s Mission, Vision and Values. NICVA generates earned income from a range of sources including conference facilities and training courses which also contribute to the delivery of the core business.

Reserves policy

Unrestricted funds are essential to provide sufficient funds to cover any unforeseen costs which may arise and fulfil the legal obligations of the Charity if current levels of income are not maintained.

The reserves policy has been designed to recognise NICVA’s requirements for reserves considering the main risks to the organisation. It has established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds not committed should equate to 6 months’ total resources expended. The aim is to provide sufficient funds to cover any unforeseen costs which may arise, recognise the volatile grant environment as well as allowing for the payment of any liabilities which would arise should the company cease to operate. Any call upon the use of reserves will be at the approval of the Executive Committee which will examine the rationale for doing so and agree an amount where appropriate.

At 31 March 2025, the level of “free reserves”, excluding fixed assets and designated funds was £728,988 (2024 - £780,727) which equates to almost 5 months' expenditure.

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.

Plans for future periods

As we look to the coming year, NICVA is committed to building on our recent achievements and advancing our role as a proactive leader for the voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland. We recognise that the landscape in which we operate is evolving rapidly, and our focus remains firmly on ensuring that both our organisation and the wider sector are equipped to thrive in this changing environment.

In the coming year, we will develop a robust new strategy to guide our work beyond 2025, ensuring that NICVA remains at the forefront of sectoral leadership and policy development. As part of the development of this new strategy, NICVA will undertake a comprehensive branding exercise, signaling not only a refreshed visual identity but a renewed commitment to our core values and strategic ambitions. This refreshed branding will be complemented by a significant upgrade to our website and membership package, ensuring greater accessibility, improved communication and functionality, and added value to enhance the experience for our members and to strengthen our operational capacity.

Investing in our people and infrastructure remains a priority. In the coming year. We will implement a comprehensive staff development programme, ensuring our team are equipped to deliver on the needs of our sector, and upgrade our physical and technological facilities to deliver higher quality support and services. The refresh and relaunch of Sector Matters, our social enterprise service, will provide a dedicated platform for shared resources, professional advice, and collaborative opportunities, further empowering our sector to address shared challenges.

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

We are also excited to plan for a second NICVA Future Thinking Summit, building on the success of our inaugural event and continuing to provide the sector with a unique forum for networking, innovation, and inspiration.

Our efforts will also include significant work to ensure the alignment of the UK Covenant agreement with the NI Joint Forum Partnership Agreement, and the commencement of a three-year Community Engagement Programme on behalf of Belfast City Council, working with a number of community development organisations across Belfast. Finally, the development of a dedicated data and research hub will underpin our commitment to evidence-based policy and practice, allowing us - and our members - to drive meaningful social impact.

Together, these plans reflect NICVA’s determination to be a dynamic, innovative, and supportive umbrella body, championing the needs of our members and driving the agenda for a vibrant voluntary and community sector in Northern Ireland.

Structure, governance and management

Governing document

The Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) is a company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association, dated 1 August 1944, and amended as at 6 December 2024.

Appointment of Executive Committee

NICVA is governed by an Executive Committee elected by its member organisations on an annual basis through a ballot using the single transferable vote system. All NICVA members are invited to nominate to the Committee which consists of 12 people elected for a three-year period. Elected members, on completion of their three-year term, may stand for re-election if they so wish. One third (or the number nearest one third) of the Committee so elected must retire at each annual general meeting, those longest in office retiring first. For this financial year, there were five places for Executive Committee members. Following a formal process, 11 nominations were received. A formal ballot was conducted, and five nominees were duly elected at the AGM as follows:

C Brooks (Re-elected), S Dallas (Re-elected), J R Emmanuel (New), P Lynch (New) and R McLaughlin (New).

An additional Executive Committee Member was appointed by co-option by the Committee (R Venanzio).

Members of the Executive Committee act as trustees for the purpose of charity law.

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

Ms O Lyner (Resigned 30 September 2024) Ms C Brooks Ms D Hayward (Resigned 6 December 2024) Ms Patricia Lewsley-Mooney CBE Mr L Devine Ms B Arthurs Ms O Black Mr S Dallas Ms S E Didrichsen (Resigned 5 August 2024) Ms A Cusack Ms M Cavanagh Mr D Nutt Mr P Lynch (Appointed 6 December 2024) Ms R McLaughlin (Appointed 6 December 2024) Mr R Venanzio (Appointed 23 October 2024) Mr J Emmanuel (Appointed 6 December 2024)

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Committee induction and training

New Executive Committee members undergo induction training to brief them on roles and responsibilities and their legal obligations under charity and company law, the Committee and the decision-making processes, the strategic and operational planning processes, the organisational structure, and key organisational activities. Executive Committee members are provided with copies of the NICVA Governance Manual which includes the following:

Organisational structure

The Executive Committee ensures the good governance of the organisation by setting its strategic objectives and policy direction through NICVA’s five-year strategic plan, and monitoring progress on this through the annual operational planning process. The Committee meets a minimum of six times per year.

A new sub-committee structure was implemented in January 2025 replacing the Resources Sub-Committee with the Audit & Risk Committee and the People & Culture Committee which deal with the human and financial resources of the organisation. Both sub-committees meet on a quarterly basis.

The Chief Executive, appointed by the Executive Committee, manages the day-to-day operations of the organisation. To facilitate effective operations, the Chief Executive has delegated authority for operational matters including the application and monitoring of strategic and operational objectives.

Related parties

NICVA is an independent organisation, and all operations are carried out in accordance with this. By the nature of the objects of the charity, NICVA works closely with its members, representing their interests to government bodies and funders as appropriate. NICVA continues to support its social economy business, Sector Matters Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of NICVA, which was established in November 2009. Sector Matters had no trading activities in the year to 31 March 2025.

Risk management

Financial risks are assessed by the organisation through the Audit & Risk Committee on a quarterly and annual basis. Core funding is provided by the Department for Communities (DfC) which periodically conducts a Risk Assessment on all funded organisations. NICVA has retained its low risk status demonstrating that robust financial systems and controls are in place. As part of the governance review process, the NICVA Risk Register was reviewed and updated during the year. NICVA continues to monitor all procedures associated with risk management.

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Pay policy for senior staff

The trustees (Executive Committee) all give of their time freely and no trustee received remuneration in the year.

The organisation has adapted the National Joint Council (NJC) pay scales for its use for many years following an independent job evaluation. The result of the job evaluation was a recommendation of pay points for each grade within the organisation including the Senior Management Team. These pay scales were set based on an external benchmarking exercise against roles with similar job duties and levels of responsibility.

Funds held as custodian trustee

NICVA administers the Cheques for Charity scheme whereby they receive, claim gift aid and hold monies on behalf of donors and disburse according to their instructions. Details of these restricted funds are included within notes 20 and 28 to the accounts.

Conduit funding

NICVA is responsible for receiving and distributing funds on behalf of the Department for Communities. £213,059 (2024 - £199,316) was received and distributed during the year and no balance was held in relation to these monies at 31 March 2025.

Statement of trustees' responsibilities

The trustees, who are also the directors of Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action for the purpose of company law, 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).

Company Law 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, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

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

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate 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 Companies Act 2006. 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.

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORTI (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Small companlès èxemptlon In pr8parlng ihls report, the d1￿ClOr$ have taken advantage of th8 small companie8 exemptions provided by sectlon 415A of the Companies Ad 20￿. Dl$closur• of Infomiatlon to •udltor Each of the truste08 has confirmed that there is no infOrMa￿.0n of whlch they ale aware which 15 relevant to the audlt. but ol whlch the audllor is unaware. They have further conflrmed that they have taken appropriate st8P8 to dentlfy such relevant information and to establish that Ihe auditor is aware of Such infomlation, Tho truslees, report was approved by th8 Board of Trustees. M• C Mcstravlck Company Secretary Dated: ,

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT

TO THE MEMBERS OF NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)

TO THE MEMBERS OF NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors' report included within the trustees' report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

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NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)

TO THE MEMBERS OF NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the statement of trustees' responsibilities, the trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)

TO THE MEMBERS OF NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud

We identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and then design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, including obtaining audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

In identifying and assessing potential risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliances with laws and regulations, we considered the following:

· Any matters we identified having obtained and reviewed the company’s documentation of their policies and procedures relating to:

· The matters discussed among the audit engagement team regarding how and where fraud might occur in the financial statements and potential indicators of fraud.

As a result of these procedures, we considered the opportunities and incentives that may exist within the company for fraud and identified the greatest potential for fraud in income recognition. In common with all audits under ISAs (UK), we are also required to perform specific procedures to respond to the risk of management override.

We also obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that the company operates in, focusing on provisions of those laws and regulations that had a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The key laws and regulations we considered in this context included the Companies Act 2006, and local tax legislation.

In addition, we considered provisions of other laws and regulations that do not have a direct effect on the financial statements but compliance with which may be fundamental to the company’s ability to operate or to avoid a material penalty.

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)

TO THE MEMBERS OF NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

Audit response to risks identified

Our procedures to respond to the risks identified included the following:

We also communicated relevant identified laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team members and remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit.

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. In addition, as with any audit, there remains a higher risk of non-detection of irregularities, as they may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance and cannot be expected to detect noncompliance with all laws and regulations.

A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https:// www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

CW14RTIIIKi A¢LXIVIITAIIT• NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE MEMBERS OF NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION UM of our report This report 18 made solely to the charitable companV3 member3, as a body, in accordan¢e with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit has been undertaken so that we might state to the chantable company's members those matters we a￿ required to slate lo them in an auditorfs report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, wa do nol accept or assume responsibility to anyone other Ihan the charitable company and the charitab18 company's members as a body, for our audrt work, for this report. or foi Ihe opinions we have formed. Mr8 Susan Dunlop FCA {Senlor Statutory Audttorl for and on behalf of GMCG BELFAST 27 November 2025 Ch•rtered Accountant• ststutory Audltor Alfred House 19 Alfred Street 8elfast BT2 8EQ 15- Alfrtd House 19 Alfred Street nlury Ho￿¢ 40 Crescenl Park IJSBURN 128 2GN X7 Mandcvlllc Strc PORTADOWN DX3910 NRB¢lfa81 SO BT62 3PB Tell +44 (0)28 9031 AtA3 +44 (0)28 9031 0777 Td: +44 {0)28 9260 TJ55 "￿: +44 {0)28 9260 1656 Tel: +44 (0)28 3833 28 Faxt +44 {0)28 383501193 I ChhrmlTi%Ad4'1xTh

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2025
2025
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Donations and
legacies
3
821,505
37,834
Charitable activities
4
628,769
856,739
Investments
5
35,210
-
Movement in
pension provision
6
(9,651)
-
Total income
1,475,833
894,573
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
7
10,894
15,871
Charitable activities
8
1,504,414
209,168
Total expenditure
1,515,308
225,039
Net (expenditure)/income
for the year/
Net movement in funds
(39,475)
669,534
Fund balances at 1 April
2024
1,050,849
1,036,714
Fund balances at 31
March 2025
1,011,374
1,706,248		 Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2025
2024
2024
£
£
£
859,339
955,653
54,351
1,485,508
643,473
52,072
35,210
24,821
-
(9,651)
(144,240)
-
2,370,406
1,479,707
106,423
26,765
8,488
-
1,713,582
1,503,993
182,080
1,740,347
1,512,481
182,080
630,059
(32,774)
(75,657)
2,087,563
1,083,623
1,112,371
2,717,622
1,050,849
1,036,714		 Total
2024
£
1,010,004
695,545
24,821
(144,240)
1,586,130
8,488
1,686,073
1,694,561
(108,431)
2,195,994
2,087,563

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2025 2025 2024 Not•8 Flxed assets Tangible asse18 Investment prop6rti6s InvestmentB 13 14 15 1.240,073 730,(X)O 1.286.054 1,970,074 1.286,055 Current a88et8 Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 18 116,540 1,402.674 395,480 2,022,736 1,519.214 2,418,216 Credltor•: amounts f•lllng due wlthln ong year 17 (601.025) (1.422,S88) Net Current assets 918,189 995,628 Tolal a•••ts1088 currnnt Ilabllltl 2,888,263 2,281,683 ProvlBlon8 for Ilabllllles Defined benefit penslon Ilabilily 19 170.841 194,120 (170,841) {194,120) 2,717,822 2.087.563 Income funds Restricted funds Unrestricted f Designated funds General unrestricted funds Pensiorb reserve 20 1,706,248 1.038.714 21 143,070 1,038,945 (170,641) 147.303 1.097.866 (194.120) 1,011,374 1,050,849 2,717,622 2,087,$63 These financial stalemenls hav8 been prepared In accowdance with the provlslons appIl￿ble to companies subje to the small compani8s regime. The finandal statemonts were approved by th8 Trustees o . and signed on Iheii behalf by". Ms C Brooks Trustso Mr L Oevine Tru•t•• Company Rogistratlon No. N1001792 17-

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from/(absorbed by)
operations
26
Investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Purchase of investment property
Investment income received
Net cash (used in)/generated from
investing activities
Net cash used in financing activities
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		 2025
£
£
89,811
(15,083)
(730,000)
35,210
(709,873)
-
(620,062)
2,022,736
1,402,674		 2024
£
£
(593,968)
(16,656)
-
24,821
8,165
-
(585,803)
2,608,539
2,022,736

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in Northern Ireland. The registered office is 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast, BT15 2GB.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 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 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 under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of investment properties 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

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Designated funds comprise funds which have been set aside at the discretion of the trustees for specific purposes. The purposes and uses of the designated funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.

1.4 Incoming resources

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

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.

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.

Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable.

Where funding is received and subsequently distributed to other organisations in accordance with the donor’s instructions it is treated as conduit funding and, therefore, is not recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities.

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies (Continued)

Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service.

1.5 Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

Support costs are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity. Governance costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

Costs of generating funds are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.

Charitable activities and Governance costs are costs incurred on the charity's operations, including support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities.

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Leasehold land and buildings 2% and 5% straight line Fixtures and fittings 15% reducing balance Computers 33.33% straight line

Land is not depreciated.

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.7 Investment properties

Investment property, which is property held to earn rentals and/or for capital appreciation, is initially recognised at cost, which includes the purchase cost and any directly attributable expenditure. Subsequently it is measured at fair value at the reporting end date. The surplus or deficit on revaluation is recognised in profit or loss.

1.8 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 income/(expenditure) for the year. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.

A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the charity. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies (Continued)

1.9 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.10 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.11 Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ 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.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

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 and bank loans 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.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.12 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies (Continued)

1.13 Retirement benefits

In prior years the charity contributed to a multi-employer defined benefit pension scheme, NICPS, and to The Growth Plan, and the charity is committed to making payments of £2,751 per month to make good prior year deficits. The Schemes closed on 31 March 2009.

A provision is recognised for the contributions payable that arose from the agreements with NICPS and The Growth Plan to fund the prior year deficits.

NICVA operates a Qualifying Workplace Pension Scheme provided by Legal And General. Staff are auto enrolled to the scheme at the statutory minimum contribution rates. The NICVA executive have offered an opportunity for employees to increase their contributions to a higher tier whereby if an employee contributes 5% the employer will also contribute 5%. Contributions to this Scheme by the charity have therefore been accounted for by charging costs as payments accrue.

1.14 Leases

Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged as an expense on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease.

1.15 Consolidation

In the opinion of the trustees, the company and its subsidiary undertaking comprise a small sized group. The company has therefore taken advantage of the exemption provided by Section 399(2A) of the Companies Act 2006 not to prepare group accounts.

This is not in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities' which requires consolidated accounts to be prepared. The trustees believe that the results of the subsidiary company are immaterial to the group as a whole and, therefore, these financial statements present information about the company as an individual undertaking and not about its group.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements (Continued)

Key sources of estimation uncertainty

Fixed Assets

The annual depreciation charge on fixed assets depends primarily on the estimated lives of each type of asset and estimates of residual values. The directors regularly review these asset lives and change them as necessary to reflect current thinking on remaining lives in light of prospective economic utilisation and physical condition of the assets concerned. Changes in asset lives can have a significant impact on depreciation and amortisation charges for the period. Detail of the useful lives is included in the accounting policies.

Debtors

Short term debtors are measured at transaction price, less any impairment. Impairment of such debtors involves some estimation uncertainty.

Multi-employer Defined Benefit Pension Scheme Liability

The pension scheme liability is in relation to the contributions payable that have arisen from an agreement with a multi-employer plan to fund a deficit and is based on certain assumptions as detailed in note 18.

Restricted and Unrestricted Funds

Judgements are made in relation to allocation of income and expenditure to restricted and unrestricted funds. The directors consider it appropriate to allocate these funds based on interpretation of donations received.

3 Donations and legacies

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2025
2025
£
£
Donations
5,549
-
Department for
Communities - Core
Activities
752,623
-
Charities Aid Foundation
(via NCVO)
63,333
-
Cheques for Charity
-
37,834
821,505
37,834		 Total
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2025
2024
2024
£
£
£
5,549
5,589
-
752,623
790,288
-
63,333
159,776
-
37,834
-
54,351
859,339
955,653
54,351		 Total
2024
£
5,589
790,288
159,776
54,351
1,010,004

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

4 Charitable activities

Earned income
Services provided under contract
Performance related grants
Cheques for Charity
Less: deferred income
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Performance related grants
Department for Communities - Shared Island
The National Lotttery - Community Fund
The National Lottery - Awards for All
Dormant Accounts
Halifax Foundation - Special Initiatives Programme		 2025
£
510,177
133,387
106,368
18,827
716,749
1,485,508
628,769
856,739
1,485,508
-
25,105
20,000
49,428
11,835
106,368		 2024
£
384,489
265,754
52,072
22
(6,792)
695,545
643,473
52,072
695,545
15,000
-
-
37,072
-
52,072

Services provided under contract includes Community Foundation NI £49,286 (2024 - £175,793), IFI contracts £50,457 (2024 - £56,318), and other contracts £33,644 (2024 - £33,643).

The Board considers the Charity to have one main charitable activity, being the alleviation of disadvantage amongst communities, families and individuals through the provision of information, advice, training and development services to community and voluntary groups in Northern Ireland.

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

5 Investments
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
£ £
Rental income 5,096 -
Interest receivable 30,114 24,821
35,210 24,821
6 Movement in pension provision
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
£ £
Unwinding of the discount factor (interest expense) (8,311) (2,990)
Remeasurements - impact of any change in assumptions 1,901 (2,651)
Remeasurements - amendments to the contribution schedule (3,241) (138,599)
(9,651) (144,240)

Further information in relation to the pension provision is provided in note 19.

7 Raising funds

Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
2025
2025
£
£
Fundraising and publicity
Advertising
10,894
15,871
10,894
15,871		 Total Unrestricted
funds
2025
2024
£
£
26,765
8,488
26,765
8,488		 Total Unrestricted
funds
2025
2024
£
£
26,765
8,488
26,765
8,488
8,488

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

8 Charitable activities

Staff costs
Depreciation and impairment
Recruitment
Travel and subsistence
Affiliation fees, reference books and publications
Research costs
Consultancy
Training course expenses
Seminars and conferences
Printing and stationery
Telephone and postage
Cheques for charity
Third party grant expenditure
Pension scheme management costs
Share of support costs (see note 9)
Share of governance costs (see note 9)
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds		 2025
£
921,703
5,142
731
11,317
679
-
91,736
65,899
101,233
70,187
15,892
65,153
2,172
15,237
1,367,081
326,847
19,654
1,713,582
1,504,414
209,168
1,713,582		 2024
£
904,304
15,080
4,031
11,845
1,403
15,000
66,296
135,815
49,957
38,727
15,431
52,523
737
9,588
1,320,737
357,044
8,292
1,686,073
1,503,993
182,080
1,686,073

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

9 Support costs

Staff costs
Depreciation
Printing and stationery
Telephone and postage
Rent, insurance and
service charges
Cleaning, heat and light
Repairs and
maintenance
Equipment rental
General expenses
Bank charges
Loss on disposal
Bad debts provision
Audit and accountancy
fees
Legal and professional
Analysed between
Charitable activities		 Support
costs
Governance
costs
£
£
160,366
-
55,671
-
7,382
-
2,804
-
38,453
-
35,888
-
16,572
-
2,393
-
4,987
-
1,894
-
251
-
186
-
-
7,680
-
11,974
326,847
19,654
326,847
19,654		 2025
£
160,366
55,671
7,382
2,804
38,453
35,888
16,572
2,393
4,987
1,894
251
186
7,680
11,974
346,501
346,501		 Support
costs
Governance
costs
£
£
181,601
-
55,158
-
6,834
-
2,723
-
37,655
-
36,596
-
27,950
-
785
-
5,637
-
2,105
-
-
-
-
-
-
6,850
-
1,442
357,044
8,292
357,044
8,292		 2024
£
181,601
55,158
6,834
2,723
37,655
36,596
27,950
785
5,637
2,105
-
-
6,850
1,442
365,336
365,336

Governance costs includes payments to the auditors of £6,500 (2024- £6,300) for audit fees.

10 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year, but one of them was reimbursed a total of £42 for travelling expenses (2024 - £49).

11 Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2025 2024
Number Number
27 28

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

11
Employees (Continued)
Employment costs
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs
The number of employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000
is as follows:
In the band £80,001 - £90,000		 2025
£
951,853
91,650
38,566
1,082,069
2025
Number
1		 2024
£
954,356
93,349
38,200
1,085,905
2024
Number
1

12 Taxation

The charity is exempt from income tax and capital gains tax to the extent that its income and gains are applied for charitable purposes. No tax charge has arisen in the year.

13 Tangible fixed assets

Cost
At 1 April 2024
Additions
Disposals
At 31 March 2025
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 April 2024
Depreciation charged in the year
Eliminated in respect of disposals
At 31 March 2025
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024		 Leasehold
land and
buildings
Fixtures and
fittings
£
£
2,114,147
256,738
-
11,663
-
(994)
2,114,147
267,407
895,042
198,191
46,244
9,427
-
(743)
941,286
206,875
1,172,861
60,532
1,219,105
58,547		 Computers
£
131,365
3,420
(2,226)
132,559
122,963
5,142
(2,226)
125,879
6,680
8,402		 Total
£
2,502,250
15,083
(3,220)
2,514,113
1,216,196
60,813
(2,969)
1,274,040
1,240,073
1,286,054

Included in land and buildings is land at a cost of £67,051 (2024 - £67,051) which is not depreciated.

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

14
Investment property
Fair value
At 1 April 2024
Additions through external acquisition
At 31 March 2025
15
Fixed asset investments
Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2024 & 31 March 2025
Carrying amount
At 31 March 2025
At 31 March 2024
Other investments comprise:
Notes
Investments in subsidiaries
25
All fixed asset investments are held in the UK.
16
Debtors
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade debtors
Amounts owed by fellow group undertakings
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income		 2025
£
-
730,000
730,000
Other
investments
1
1
1
2025
2024
£
£
1
1
2025
2024
£
£
35,816
106,221
13,000
13,000
52,245
263,926
15,479
12,333
116,540
395,480

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

17 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Notes
Other taxation and social security
Deferred income
18
Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 2025
£
24,030
459,450
40,661
1,385
75,499
601,025		 2024
£
23,971
1,176,200
65,052
98,901
58,464
1,422,588

18 Deferred income

Other deferred income
Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:
Deferred income is included within:
Current liabilities
Movements in the year:
Deferred income at 1 April 2024
Released from previous periods
Resources deferred in the year
Deferred income at 31 March 2025		 2025
£
459,450
2025
£
459,450
1,176,200
(796,571)
79,821
459,450		 2024
£
1,176,200
2024
£
1,176,200
1,169,408
(39,408)
46,200
1,176,200

The deferred income arises in respect of income being received in the year which relates to a future accounting period and in respect of income received in the year where conditions for recognition have not been satisfied. The income will be released to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which it relates.

19 Retirement benefit schemes

Defined contribution schemes

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.

The charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes was £38,566 (2024 - £38,200).

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

19 Retirement benefit schemes (Continued)

Defined benefit schemes

In prior years the Charity contributed to the Northern Ireland Charities Pension Scheme (‘the Scheme’), which is a funded multi-employer defined benefit scheme. The Scheme is not contracted-out of the State scheme.

The Northern Ireland Charities Pension Scheme closed to future accrual on 31 March 2009. There is currently no intention to wind-up the Scheme and it continues in paid-up form.

The Pension Trust commissions an actuarial valuation of the Scheme every three years. The main purpose of the valuation is to determine the financial position of the Scheme in order to determine the level of future contributions required so that the Scheme can meet its pension obligations as they fall due.

The actuarial valuation assesses whether the Scheme’s assets at the valuation date are likely to be sufficient to pay the pension benefits accrued by members as at the valuation date. Asset values are calculated by reference to market levels. Accrued pension benefits are valued by discounting expected future benefit payments using a discount rate calculated by reference to the expected future investment returns.

During the year NICVA paid contributions of £48,367 to cover the deficit payments and Scheme management costs.

It is not possible in the normal course of events to identify the share of underlying assets and liabilities belonging to individual participating employers. This is because the Scheme is a multi-employer scheme, where the assets are co-mingled for investment purposes, and benefits are paid out of total Scheme assets.

The last formal completed valuation of the Scheme was performed as at 30 September 2022 by a professionally qualified actuary using the ‘projected unit credit’ method. The market value of the Scheme’s assets at the valuation date was £22.8 million. The valuation revealed a shortfall of assets compared to liabilities of £3.2 million.

The results of the 2022 valuation meant that a new deficit recovery plan was required to fund the deficit of £3.2 million. This will run until 30 June 2037.

The Scheme Actuary has prepared an Actuarial Report that provides an approximate update on the funding position of the Scheme as at 30 September 2024. Such a report is required by legislation for years in which a full actuarial valuation is not carried out. The funding update revealed an increase in the assets of the Scheme to £19.6 million (from £18.6 million at 30 September 2023) and indicated an increase in the shortfall of assets compared to liabilities of approximately £4.9m (from £4.4 million at 30 September 2023), equivalent to a past service funding level of 80% (81% at 30 September 2023).

Following a change in legislation in September 2005 there is a potential debt on the employer that could be levied by the Trustee of the Scheme. The debt is due in the event of the employer ceasing to participate in the Scheme or the Scheme winding up.

The debt for the Scheme as a whole is calculated by comparing the liabilities for the Scheme (calculated on a buy-out basis i.e. the cost of securing benefits by purchasing annuity policies from an insurer, plus an allowance for expenses) with the assets of the Scheme. If the liabilities exceed assets there is a buy-out debt.

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

19 Retirement benefit schemes (Continued)

The leaving employer’s share of the buy-out debt is the proportion of the Scheme’s liability attributable to employment with the leaving employer compared to the total amount of the Scheme’s liabilities (relating to employment with all the currently participating employers). The leaving employer’s debt therefore includes a share of any ‘orphan’ liabilities in respect of previously participating employers. The amount of the debt therefore depends on many factors including total Scheme liabilities, Scheme investment performance, the liabilities in respect of current and former employees of the employer, financial conditions at the time of the cessation event and the insurance buy-out market. The amounts of debt can therefore be volatile over time.

Under FRS 102, where an entity participates in a multi-employer plan, and the entity had entered into an agreement with the multi-employer plan that determines how the entity will fund a deficit, the entity shall recognise a liability for the contributions payable that arise from the agreement and the resulting expense in the Statement of Financial Activities.

The liabilities for the Northern Ireland Charities Pension Scheme as noted above, and The Growth Plan, which is also a funded multi-employer defined benefit scheme which the Charity contributed to in prior years, are shown in the tables below.

Movements in the present value of defined benefit obligations:

Liabilities at 1 April 2024
Plan introductions, changes, curtailments and settlements
Benefits paid
Actuarial losses
Interest cost
At 31 March 2025		 2025
£
194,120
3,241
(33,130)
(1,901)
8,311
170,641

The total provision at the balance sheet date is £170,641 (2024 - £194,120).

The above provisions have assumed a discount rate of 5.13% per annum (2024 - 4.71% per annum) for the Northern Ireland Charities Pension Scheme, and 4.84% per annum (2024 - 5.31% per annum) for The Growth Plan, and are the equivalent single discount rates which, when used to discount the future recovery plan contributions due, would give the same results as using a full AA corporate bond yield curve to discount the same recovery plan contributions.

NICVA believes that as a responsible employer it should provide the opportunity of a pension scheme for all staff. NICVA operates a Qualifying Workplace Pension Scheme provided by Legal And General. Staff are auto enrolled to the scheme at the statutory minimum contribution rates. The NICVA executive have offered an opportunity for employees to increase their contributions to a higher tier whereby if an employee contributes 5% the employer will also contribute 5%.

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

20 Restricted funds

The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:

Balance at
1 April 2023
£
Atlantic Philanthropies (Property)
253,000
Belfast Regeneration Office (Property)
188,359
Big Lottery (Property)
290,400
DSD Capital Grants
17,394
CFC Client Funds
155,592
Peace lll Vital Links
50
Dormant Accounts Fund NI
176
National Lottery - Community Fund
-
National Lottery - Awards for All
-
Department for Communities Projects
207,400
Halifax
-
Atlantic Philanthropies (Capital Project)
-
1,112,371		 Movement in funds
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
Balance at
1 April 2024
£
£
£
-
(9,200)
243,800
-
(6,849)
181,510
-
(10,560)
279,840
-
(651)
16,743
54,351
(52,523)
157,420
-
(8)
42
37,072
(14,889)
22,359
-
-
-
-
-
-
15,000
(87,400)
135,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
106,423
(182,080)
1,036,714		 Movement in funds
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
31
£
£
-
(9,200)
-
(6,849)
-
(10,560)
-
(647)
37,834
(65,153)
-
(7)
49,428
(71,787)
25,105
(6,209)
20,000
(20,000)
-
(7,500)
11,835
(6,756)
750,371
(20,371)
894,573
(225,039)		 Balance at
March 2025
£
234,600
174,661
269,280
16,096
130,101
35
-
18,896
-
127,500
5,079
730,000
1,706,248

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

20 Restricted funds (Continued)

Atlantic Philanthropies (Property)

A restricted donation to assist with the cost of building NICVA’s regional community resource centre at Duncairn Gardens, Belfast.

Belfast Regeneration Office (Property)

A restricted grant to assist with the cost of building NICVA’s regional community resource centre at Duncairn Gardens, Belfast.

Big Lottery (Property)

A restricted grant to assist with the cost of building NICVA’s regional community resource centre at Duncairn Gardens, Belfast.

DSD – Capital Grants

A fund from year end additional grants from Department for Social Development for specific projects.

Cheques For Charity (CFC) Client Funds

A fund to receive, claim gift aid and hold monies on behalf of donors. NICVA disburses the monies according to the donors instructions.

Peace III - Vital Links

The Vital Links project is part-financed by the European Union's European Regional Development Fund through the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation (PEACE III) managed by the Special EU Programmes Body. Funded for three years, the aim of the Vital Links project is to increase the interaction and understanding of the key institutions, the voluntary and community sector and foster and promote positive engagement. Vital Links delivers a programme of free training, seminars, conferences and publications.

Dormant Accounts Fund NI

The National Lottery Northern Ireland Dormant Account Funds in January 2023 is to futureproof digital systems to ensure its support and services for the sector. Over the course of the two year project we will seek feedback from stakeholders to redesign and redevelop the NICVA sites.

- The National Lottery Community Fund

Access to Resilience Programme. A three year programme awarded in November 2024. Called Access, Support, Capacity, Empowerment, Network, and Development, (ASCEND), it works with the VCSE groups who work with ethnically minoritised communities throughout NI.

The National Lottery - Awards for All

This fund was to support the hosting of NICVA’s Future Thinking Summit in October 2024. It brought together civic society, providing the opportunity to build networks and connections across all sectors. It showcased the resilient and innovative VCSE, provided a space for conversations, connections, and learning, where key societal issues were discussed and experiences shared.

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

20 Restricted funds (Continued)

Department for Communities projects

Project Title: DfC Cost of Living Proposals

Funding was received to provide the sector with additional support to navigate the Cost of Living Crisis. With this funding organisations within the sector were able to apply for bursaries to access Grant Tracker and accredited Institute of Leadership and Management training. With the bursaries, organisations were able to build their capacity and sustainability with access to relevant funds and developing leadership skills within their organisation. In addition, NICVA held a six Cost of Living seminars across Northen Ireland in partnership with local networks, to establish the full extent of the impacts of the cost of living on the sector and to hear the stories behind the statistics. The findings were collated in a report and made available through the NICVA communication channels.

Project Title: DfC Carbon Reduction Grant

NICVA received funding to work towards reducing its carbon footprint. This year NICVA’s boiler was replaced, and its heating system upgraded to ensure it was more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

Project Title: DfC Shared Island Programme - Phase II

This project was launched in partnership with the Wheel in Dec 2021. It aims to promote closer collaboration between the voluntary and community sectors across the island of Ireland. It has five key themes; rural connectivity & sustainability; recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic; developing the island economy & social enterprise; digital connectedness & inclusion; and achieving a just transition to a de-carbonised and sustainable island. Following its launch in December 2021, a series of events and activities were scheduled. The project ran throughout 2022/2023 and was continued into 2023/24.

Halifax

A two year programme awarded in July 2024. Provides the VCSE with a Workforce Development Programme. It provides policy guidance on a range of topics, training on how to apply the policies in the workplace and support clinics for VCSE to receive guided advice on implementing their workforce development programme.

Atlantic Philanthropies (Capital Project)

This funding was a grant contribution towards the purchase of a building.

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

21 Designated funds

The income funds of the charity include the following designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes:

Balance at
1 April 2023
£
Designated Premises Reserve
151,536
151,536
22
Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
2025
2025
£
£
Fund balances at 31
March 2025 are
represented by:
Tangible assets
417,904
822,169
Investment properties
-
730,000
Investments
1
-
Current assets/(liabilities)
764,110
154,079
Provisions and
pensions
(170,641)
-
1,011,374
1,706,248		 Resources
expended
Balance at
1 April 2024
Resources
expended
31
£
£
£
(4,233)
147,303
(4,233)
(4,233)
147,303
(4,233)
Total Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
2025
2024
2024
£
£
£
1,240,073
429,119
856,935
730,000
-
-
1
1
-
918,189
815,849
179,779
(170,641)
(194,120)
-
2,717,622
1,050,849
1,036,714		 Balance at
March 2025
£
143,070
143,070
Total
2024
£
1,286,054
-
1
995,628
(194,120)
2,087,563

23 Explanatory notes to the reserves funds

Unrestricted funds

Designated Premises Reserve

This is a designated fund NICVA established to facilitate the construction and maintenance of their premises at Duncairn Gardens, Belfast.

The purpose of the fund is to ensure resources are retained for the upkeep of the conference facilities and offices to include general repair work, building maintenance and decorating, as and when required.

General Unrestricted Fund

This fund is the result of NICVA's strategic objective to establish reserves which would allow NICVA to operate for 12 months without other sources of income.

Pension reserve

The pension reserve represents contributions payable under an agreement with NICPS to fund prior year deficits. The transfer from unrestricted funds into the pension reserve relates to deficit contributions paid in the year.

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

24 Related party transactions

Remuneration of key management personnel

The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows.

2025 2024
£ £
Aggregate compensation 213,529 287,911

The trustees have taken advantage of the exemption from disclosing related party transactions with other wholly owned group companies, in accordance with FRS 102.

There were no other transactions with related parties requiring disclosure.

25 Subsidiaries

Details of the charity's subsidiaries at 31 March 2025 are as follows:

Name of undertaking
Registered		 Nature of business Class of
% Held		 Class of
% Held
office shares held
**Direct **		 Indirect
Sector Matters Limited
Northern Ireland		 The provision of HR, financial Ordinary
100.00
and other support services to
the voluntary and community
sector and to small
businesses.
26 Cash generated from operations 2025 2024
£ £
Surplus/(deficit) for the year 630,059 (108,431)
Adjustments for:
Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities (35,210) (24,821)
Loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets 251 -
Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets 60,813 70,238
Difference between pension charge and cash contributions (23,479) 128,223
Movements in working capital:
Decrease in debtors 278,940 28,719
(Decrease) in creditors (104,813) (694,688)
(Decrease)/increase in deferred income (716,750) 6,792
Cash generated from/(absorbed by) operations 89,811 (593,968)
27 Analysis of changes in net funds

The charity had no debt during the year.

NORTHERN IRELAND COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

28 Cheques for charity

NICVA administers the Cheques for Charity scheme, whereby they receive, claim gift aid and hold monies on behalf of donors and disburse according to their instructions. During the year NICVA received £37,834 (2024 - £54,351) of Cheques for Charity donations, with £65,153 (2024 - £52,523) being dispersed to charitable organisations as instructed by the donors.

29 Conduit funding

NICVA is responsible for receiving and distributing funds on behalf of the Department for Communities. During the year £213,059 (2024 - £199,316) was received and distributed and no balance was held in relation to these monies at 31 March 2025.

30 Financial commitments, guarantees and contingent liabilities

(i) A portion of grants received may become repayable if the Charity fails to comply with the terms of the letter of offer.

(ii) During a prior year the charity received correspondence from The Pensions Trust in relation to a review the Trustee has undertaken regarding the application of changes to Northern Ireland Charities Pension Scheme benefits. The outcome of the review could give rise to an additional liability of approximately £137k.

During a prior year further correspondence was received in relation to a potential new item that has come out of the review. It relates to changes in legislation made by the Government to the measure of inflation used for increasing pensions already in payment and how this interacts with members’ pensions provided under the Rules. The Court case was heard in March 2025 and still awaiting the outcome. At this stage the amount and likelihood of any additional liability arising from this change is not known.

The Pensions Trust have indicated that it is unlikely that any further liability will arise, therefore no provision for these items has been made in the financial statements.

31 Operating lease commitments Lessor

At the reporting end date the charity had contracted with tenants for the following minimum lease payments:

Within one year
Between two and five years
In over five years
32
Capital commitments
At 31 March 2025 the charity had capital commitments as follows:
Contracted for but not provided in the financial statements:
Acquisition of intangible assets		 2025
£
59,200
236,800
587,067
883,067
2025
£
94,320		 2024
£
-
-
-
-
2024
£
-