THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI AccouNrs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 MCDONALD O'NEILL & CO CHARTERED ACcOUNTs
THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI CONTENTS PAGE General Inforniation Trustees Report Independent Examiner's Report Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet Notes to the Statement of Financial Activities 10- 11
THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI GENERAL INFORMATION Trustees Patricia O'Kelly Gerry Burns Irene Jovaras Mary McKinley Junits Majury Emmanuel Robert McGivern Administrative address l O Harberton Drive BELFAST BT9 6PE Northern Ireland Accountants McDonald O'Neill & Co. Chartered Accountants 5 Union Buildings Union Place DUNGANNON Co. Tyrone BT70 IDL Bankers Ulster Bank University Road Branch 91193 University Road BELFAST BT7 ING Charity Number NIC102512 Inland Revenue Tax Referenee XT21933
THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI TRUSTEES REPORT Structure, Governanee & Management in Northern Ireland The charity was established in Northern Ireland under a trust deed dated 4 January 2010. The trustees are assisted in the planning of the programme of activities by an Extended Focolare group. Charitable Status The Trust has been accepted &s a clwity for tax purposes by the Inland Revenue. The HMRC reference number is: _ XTr1933 The Trust has been registered with the Charity Commission for Northem Ireland from 2. June 2015 under the Charity number:_ NIC102512 Statement of Compliance In setting our objectives and planning our activities for the year the trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities have helped to achieve the charity's purposes and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries. Principal Activities The Focolare Movement is an international organization, which started in Italy in 1943 and is active in all five continents. It is an ecclesial movement, open to collabordte with people of all faiths or without a faith background. Its specific aim is to contribute to establishing unity in all areas and spheres of life by working to fulfil the words of the Gospel "May they all be one" (Jn 17.21). The General Headquarters of the Focolare Movement are in Rome and the movement operntes through '*egional areas" which support each other through an international sharing of goods and resources. In Northern Ireland, the Focolare supports community building between people from different cultural and faith backgrounds and seeks to equip people with skills for building peace and reconciliation. Focolare in Northern Ireland is also closely linked in its activities to the Focolare in the Republic of Ireland and co-organizes island-wide events. Focolare Centres are situated in Belfast, Dublin and County Kildare, promoting and coordinating Focolare life and acting as activity hubs for the wider local community.
THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI As part of a commitment to evangelize, first and foremost themselves, through these centres, leafiets with a commentary on the monthly "Word of Life" and a related daily motto on social media are produced and distributed tl]roughout Ireland and forni the basis for actions and sharing of experiences of God's Word lived. The animators of The Focolare Trust NI, who meet on a regular basis to focus on the forniation of their members, help to promote unity in the family, in youth life, in the workplace and forn] people to become builders of a society based on mutual love and respect. This involves working on projects related to providing courses or actions which promote faith, friendship and understanding between different Christian denominations, interfaith and intercultural dialogue, parenting, fundraising and other topics relevant to the needs of society. Since the pandemic the meetings of Focolare can be either face-to-face or hybrid which has the advantage of allowing more people to take part. Members of Focolare in Northern Ireland are actively involved in the international project #daretocare, an international campaign that promotes active involvement with, and appreciation of, the most vulnerable in society and commilment to the health of the planet by having care as the guiding principle of action. This project is linked to a social media platform on: http://www.Unit¢dworldprojLOrenIdaretoCareI An infornml walking group inspired by the values of Focolare and open to everyone meets on a monthly basis. Walks and picnics are organised to engage with people from different cultural backgrounds to get to know one another and to foster a spirit of sharing, friendship and belonging. This group is expanding its outreach to asylum seekers and rnigrants. Members of Focolare Northern Ireland have established a group called "Dialogue for Africa" in which Focolare members from the island of Ireland and the continent of Africa engage in a mutual getting to know each other and building relationships. They meet on a bi-monthly basis via zoom and getting to know one another is mutually enriching. Through this group, financial support h&s also been given to Focolare projects in Afric such as the project: "Kindergarten" in Bobo Dioulasso (Burkina- Faso). On their own initiative, members of this group rdise money to support these and other projects. Members of Focolare Northern Ireland continue to support the Focolare EcoPlan which aims to promote concrete actions for the healing and protection of people and planet. Focolare EcoPlan - a powerfill initiative - Focolare Movement Members are also conunitted as Laudato Si animators and take part in activities at national and European level. Members of Focolare in Northern Ireland are actively involved in their churches and local communities (for example in Armoy, LUrga Derryl Londonderry, Coleraine and Belfast) to build bridges across communities and offer their service as an expression of their commithient to live out the Gospel's message of "May they all be
THE FOCOLARE TRUST M one" (Jn 17.21). This ranges from working together to support refugees to working with youth groups, parish and diocesan groups and university chaplaincies. Focolare NI participates in the national Inter-church Meeting and in the last year was invited to the General Assemblies of the main Christian Churches in treland. We are also taking part in the on-going synodal process of the Catholic Church. The Focolare Trust NI actively promotes and practically supports various cross- community initiatives that give a witness of different Christian denominations working together, for example the "4 Comers Festival" the "DOCK Cafe" the "Friendship club" or the "Week of prayer for Cbristian Unity" events. Members of Focolare Northern Ireland also facilitate the sharing and redistribution of goods to people in need. Members of Focolare support other registered charities (for example "Embrace NI" Youth Link NI) to foster the aims of creating a more welcoming society for all, especially for migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. On a monthly basis the Focolare Trust NI organiz£s friendship-dinners for people from different backgrounds, Word of Life meetings, Women's lunch group and meetings for clergy, all to foster a spirit of community and sharing. The Focolare Tnt NI facilitates participation at an international level by organising and accompanying groups to international conferences and events with the aim of developing skills in dialogue, exploring projects for 'tthe common good" and supporting fundraising activities for these goals, for example the Living Peace Project, the United World Projec¢ the ForniaT fomiation programme and the Together4 Europe project.
THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI Financial Review The Trustees have a procedure now in place to review the accounts and to fornially draft a Reserves Policy appropriate to the needs and aims of the Trust going fonvard. The charity's accounts will be prepared each year to 31 March. These accounts cover the year to 31 March 2023 and show a surplus of £5,233 Risk Management The Trustees are aware of the risks to which the charity may be exposed. A formal risk assessment process and strategies for dealing with identified risk areas is being fornialised. SIGNED: Trustee Trustee
THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE FOCOLARE TRUST IYI We report to the charity trustees on our examination of the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023 which are set out on pages 8 I l. Respective responsRbilities of trustees and examiner As the clwity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. It is our responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 65 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)0)) of the Charities Act. state whether particular matters have come to our attention. Basis of independent examiDer's report We have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and our examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commlssion for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act. Our examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as charity trustees concerning any such matters. Our role is to state whether any material matters have come to our attention giving cause to believe: l. That accounting records w¢r¢ not k¢pt in accordance with section 63 of the Charities Act 2. That the accounts do not accord with those accounting records 3. That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act 4. That there is further inforniation needed for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Independent examiner's statement We have completed our examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters (l ) to (4) listed above and, in connection with folIowing the Directions of the Charity Commission for Nortbern Ireland, we have found no matters that require drawing to your attention. O'ThJ4)A 4-la McDonald O'Neill & Co. Chartered Accountants 5 Union Buildings, Union Place Dungannon, Co. Tyrone
THE FOCOLARE TRUST IYI STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 12 Months ended 31 Mareh 2023 General Funds 12 Months ended 31 March 2022 Notes INCOMIIYG RESOURCES Donations under Perpetual Gift Aid Gift Aid Tax Refund received General donations State Benefits contributed Contributions towards Ecumenical Meeting of Bishops Refunds and contributions toward costs 65,236 13,434 35,412 8,084 86,393 11,062 3,008 7,994 1,880 1,148 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 124,046 109,605 RESOURCES EXPENDED Contributions to central fund for development of Focolare communities in developing countiies Ecumenical Meeting of Bishops Donations & Gifts Rent for Community Residence Provisions and household expenses Clothing & Personal Care Education, training, and spiritual renewal Light, heat & utilities Printing, postage, stationery & telephone Motor & travel Bank charges Accountancy Depreciation - motor vehicles Depreciation - Fixtures etc. General Expenses ProfiULosses on disposals TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 57,529 47,719 1,271 15,408 11,382 2,594 550 15,592 13,293 2,170 1,900 2,964 2,686 9.436 183 1,194 1,599 332 3,546 2,137 11,951 189 1.194 1,279 2,386 79 99,697 118,813 NET INCOMINGI(OUTGOING) RESOURCES 9,908 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Funds brought forward 53,767 43,859 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 53,767
THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI BALANCE SHEET- 31 MARCH 2023 Notes 2023 2022 FIXED ASSETS Fixtures, fittings and equipment Motor vehicles 2,346 5,117 2,444 6,396 7,463 8,840 CURRENT ASSETS Prepayments Other debtor Bank account Cash account 2,798 4,053 52,024 610 44,814 361 55,432 49,228 CURRENT LIABILITIES Accruals & Creditors (1.145) (1,551) NET CURRENf ASSETS 54.287 47,677 DEFERRED INCOME Church Donation - World Meeting of Families (2,750) (2,750) NET ASSETS 59,000 53,767 FUNDS General funds 59,000 53,767 Capital funds Total funds 59,000 53,767 We approve the financial inforn]ation which comprises the statement of financial activities and the balance sheet. We acknowl¢dge our responsibility for the fmancial inforniation and for providing McDonald O'Neill & Co. with all inforn]ation and explanations necessary for its compilation. SIGNED: Trustee SIGNED: DATE: ..I.F...[(:..l. Ls......... Trustee
THE FOCOLARE TRUST NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022 I. DONATIONS A portion of the Trust's income relates to donations made under perpetual Gift Aid by three of the Trustees. These Trustees live in community and donate their entire salaries to the Focolare Trust NI. 2. FIXED ASSETS Fixtures, Fitting & Motor Vehicles EquRpment Total Cost At l April 2022 Additions 7,825 319 21,755 29,580 319 Disposals At 31 March 2023 8,144 21,755 29,899 Depreciatton At l April 2022 Charge for the year Eliminated on disposal At 31 March 2023 5,384 414 15,359 1,279 20,743 1,693 5,798 16,638 22,436 Net Book Value At 31 March 2023 2,346 5,117 7,463 3. GENERAL FUNDS 2023 2022 Brought Forward Net Incoming/(Outgoing) Resources Transfer from Capital Fund 53,767 5,233 43,165 9,908 694 At 31 March 2023 59,000 53.767
THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI 4. CAPITAL FUNDS 2023 2022 Brought Forward Transferred to General Funds 694 (694) At 31 March 2023