THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 MCDONALD O'NEILL & CO CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI CONTENTS PAGE General Information Trustees Report Independent Examiner, s Report Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet Notes to the Statement of Financial Activities 10- I I McDonald O'Neill & Co. Chartered Accountants
THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI GENERAL INFORMATION Trustees Patricia O'Kelly Gerry Burns Irene Jovaras Mary McKinley Junita Majury Emmanuel Robert McGivern Administrative address l O Harberton Drive BELFAST BT9 6PE Northern Ireland Accountants McDonald O'Neill & Co. Chartei'ed Accouiitants 5 Union Buildings Union Place DUNGANNON Co. Tyrone BT70 1 DL Bankers Ulster Bank University Road Branch 91193 University Road BELFAST BT7 ING Charity Number NIC102512 Inland Revenue Tax Reference XT21933 McDongld O'Neill & Co. Chartered AccountAnts
THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI TRUSTEES REPORT Structure, Governance & Management in Northern Ireland The charity was estsblished 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 as a charity for tax purposes by the Inland Revenue. The HMRC reference number is: . XT21933 The Trust has been registered with the Charity Commission for Northern 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 eiisure that the activities have helped to achieve the charity's purposes and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries. Principal Activities The focolare Moveinent is an international organization that began in Italy in 1943 and is now active on all five continents. As an ecclesial movement. it is open to collaborating with people of all faiths or without any faith background. The movement's core aim is to contribute to unity in all areas of life, guided by the gospel message "May they all be one" (Jn 17.21). The headquarters are in Rocca di Papa outside Rome, with operations managed through regional areas that support each other througli the international sharing of goods and resources. Activities in Northern Ireland In Northern Ireland, the Focolare Trust supports community building among people from diverse cultural and faith backgrounds. The spirituality of unity equips individuals with skills for peacebuilding and reconciliation. Focolare Northern Ireland is closely linked with its counterparts iii the Republic of Ireland, co-organizing island- wide events. Focolare centres located in Belfast, Dublin, and Properpous, County Kildare serve as hubs for promoting and coordinating Focolare life and activities within the wider local community. Focolare members are actively involved in their local churches and communities, working to build bridges across communities and living out the gospel's message of McDonald O'Neill & Co. Chartered AceountAnts
THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI unity. Their efforts range from supporting refugees to working with youth, parish and diocesan groups and university chaplaincies. th In December 2023, the Focolare Movement celebrated its 80 anniversary. In Belfast a catholic mass attended by members of several denominations, followed by a light lunch was held in Holy Family Church on the Limestone Road. An informal walking group inspired by Focolare values meets monthly to engage with people from different cultural backgrounds, fostering friendship and belonging. This group is expanding its outreach to asylum seekers and migrants through open aftemoons and held an international cultural night in September 2023. Formation and Promotion of Unity Focolare, s commitment to evangelization begins with its own members. Through the international centres, the organization produces and distributes leaflets with commentary on the monthly "Word of Life" (a phrase from scripture to live by) and a related daily motto on social media throughout Ireland. These materials form the basis for aclions and shared experiences of living out God's Word, The Focolare Trust NI is working to increase its presence on social media, developing content for its website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedln. The Focolare Trust Nl organizes inonthly Word of Life meetings, women's lunch groups, and clergy meetings to foster community and sharing among people of different backgrounds. It facilitates the sharing and redistribution of goods to people in need. Since the pandemic, meetings have been conducted face-to-face or in a hybrid format, allowing greater participation. An annual highlight is the intergenerational gathering which again took place in April 2023 in Dungarvan, Co. Watert'ord, on the theme, "Let's Connect With God, with Each Other, with Nature and wilh Society" Cross-community Initiatives The Focolare Trust Nl promotes and supports various cross-community initiatives that demonstrate Christian denominations working together. Notable examples include the 4 Corners Festival, the "DOCK Cafe," Unity pilgrims (Clonard Peace and Reconciliation ministry), Embrace Nl and events related to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. In March 2024 Rev. Callan Slipper based in the Focolare in London and Chair of Society for Ecumenical Studies and Trustee of Churches Together in England (former National Ecumenical )Officer for the Church of England), visited Northern Ireland. He has been instrumental in formulating the "Armagh Agreenient"_a historic moment facilitating deeper unity between the Moravian Church and the Anglican communion. His visit provided an opportunity to bring together over 20 Church leaders from different denominations in the Focolare for conversation and lunch and Callan shared insights from his experience and his book on receptive ecumenism "Enriched by the Other" Participation in Inter-church and Synodal Processes Focolare NI participates in national Inter-church Meetings and has been invited to the General Assemblies of the main Christian Churches in Ireland. This year members took part in the 33 Inter-church meeting "Our Reconciling Vision of Hope: 50 years since the Ballymascanlon Talks" 'rhe Trust is engaged in the ongoing synodal process of the Catholic Church nationally and internationally. NI church leaders take part in Anternational conferences organised by the Focolare, such as, the Bishops, McDonald O'Neill & Co. Chartered Aeeountants
THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI th meeting in Portugal in August 2023 and the 40 Confcrence of Bishops of various Churches in Augsburg at the beginning of March 2024. Focolare EeoPlan Members continue to support the Focolare EcoPlan, promoting actions for the protection of people and the planet. They are committed as Laudato Si animators, participating in national and European activities. They took part in the "Green Care Webinar" in October 2023, or(Fanized at European level on the topic of "Eco Challenges" A cllmate justice programme began in September 2023 during Season of Creation and led to the establishment of an informal network of multi-faith organizations which has becoine known as "Join the Dots Together" From 14 organizations it has grown to nearly l 00. th A Conference was held on 12 January 2024 with keynote speaker, Lorna Gold of Faithlnvest. Join the Dots Together network has set up a website and online calendar to facilitate sharing of information and events about environmental protection and conservation. Collaboration with organizations such as Belfast City Council, NICVA and the Community Relations Council is underway and several events are being organized around International Day of Peace (21, September 2024). International Focolare members continue to be active in the #daretocare campaign, which promotes care for the vulnerable and the planet. The project is linked to a social media platform at l.lii jlL'd W()rld l)ro The Trust facilitates participation at the international level by organizing and accompanying groups to conferences and events focused on developing skills for dialogue, exploring projects for the common good, and supporting fundraising activities. Examples include the Living Peace Project, the United World Project, the FormaT formation programme, and the Together4Europe project. In June 2023 members took part in a summer gaihering in Iceland to support the small Focolare community there. In August 2023 members took part in the World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal. This year members of Focolare took part in the DialogUE project which held st webinars at European level on various aspects of inclusion: l March on the Social Inclusion of the Roma people and 22. March on the Social Inclusion of people with Disabilities. Tony O'ReilLy from Derry/Londonderry, a member of Focolare involved in the North West Forum of People with Disabilities, gave one of the keynote inputs. Focolare Northern Ireland has established "Dialogue for Africa,, a group that fosters relationships between members from Ireland and Africa. Meeting periodically via Zoom, this mutual engagement is enriching for all participants. The group also raises funds to support projects in Africa, such as the "Kindergarten" in Bobo Dioulasso (Burkina-Faso). Collaboration Ivith other Charities Members of Focolare Northern Ireland support other registered Lharities like 'Embrace Nl" Corrymeela, the Inter-Faith Forum and Youth Link Nl, fostering a more welcoming society, especially for migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. McDonald O'Neill & Co. Chartered Accountants
THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI Financial Review The Trustees have a procedure now in place to review the accounts and to formally draft a Reserves Policy appropriate to the needs and aims of the Trust going forward. The charity, s accounts will be prepared each year to 31 March. These accounts cover the year to 31 March 2024 and show a surplus of £2,179 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 formalised. SIGNED: Trustee SIGNED: Trustee McDonald O'Neill & Co. Chartered AceountAnts
THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI We report to the charity trustees on our examination of the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 which are set out on pages 8 to I l. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner As the charity 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 responsibi lity 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)(b) of the Charities Act; and state whether particular matters have come to our attention. Basis of independent examiner'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 Commission 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 us cause to believe: l. That accounting records were not kept 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 information 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 following the Directions of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, we have found no matters that require drawing to your attention. McDonald 0gNeill & Co. Chartered Accountants S Union Buildings, Union Place Dungannon, Co. Tyrone Date:...4.: 11: £t*.................... M¢Donald O'Neill & Co. Chartered Accountant5
THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 12 Months ended 31 March 2024 General Funds 12 Months ended 31 March 2023 General Funds Notes INCOMING RESOURCES Donations under Perpetual Gift Aid Gift Aid Tax Refund received General donations Stale Benefits contributed Contributions towards Ecumenical Meeting of Bishops Refunds and contributions toward costs 75,879 11,861 10,120 9,119 65,236 13,434 35,412 8,084 2,012 1,880 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 108,991 124 046 RESOURCES EXPENDED Contributions to central fund for development of Focolare communities in developiiig countries Ecumenical Meeting of Bishops Donations & Gifts Rent for Community Residence Provisions and household expenses Clothing & Personal Care Education, training, and spiritual renewal Light, heat & util ities Printing, postage, stationery & telephone Motor & travel Bank charges Accountancy Depreciation - motor vehicles Depreciation - Fixtures etc. General Expenses Profit/Losses on disposals TOTAL RESOURCCI S EXPENDED 57,529 3,997 19,975 12,883 3,738 6,362 3,587 4,726 ,r 14,583 223 1,320 1,023 508 1,271 15,408 11,382 2,594 7,533 3,546 2.137 11,951 189 1,194 1,279 414 2,386 118,813 NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES 2,155 5,233 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Funds brought forward , 59,000 53,767 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 61,155 59,000 McDonald O'Neill & Co. Chartered Accountants
THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI BALANCE SHEET-31 MARCH 2024 Notes 2024 2023 FIXED ASSETS Fixtures, fittings and eqiiipment Motor vehicles 2,875 4,094 2,346 5,117 6,969 7,463 CURRENT ASSETS Prepayments Other debtor Bank account Cash account 3,462 2,798 54,339 52,024 610 57,810 55,432 CURRENT LIABILITIES Accruals & Creditors (874) (1,145) NET CURRENT ASSETS 56,936 54,287 DEFERRED INCOME Church Donation - World Meeting of Families (2,750) (2,750) NET ASSETS 61,155 59,000 FUNDS General funds 61,155 59,000 Capital funds Total funds 61,155 59,000 We approve the financial information which comprises the statement of financial activities and the balance sheet. We acknowledge our responsibility for the financial information and for providing McDonald O'Ncill & Co. with all inforniation and explanations necessary for its compilation. SIGNED: Trustee SIGNED: Trustee McDonald O'Neill & Co. Chartered Accountants
THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 I. DONATIONS A portion of the Trust's income relates to donations made under perpetual Gift Aid by three of ihe Trustees. These Trustees live in community and donate their entire salaries to the Focolare Trust Nl. 2. FIXED ASSETS Fixtures, Fitting & Equipment Motor Vehicles Total Cost At l April 2023 Additions 8,144 1,037 21,755 29,899 1,037 Disposals At 31 March 2024 9,181 21,755 30,936 Depreciation At l April 2023 Charge for the year Eliminated on disposal At 31 March 2024 5,798 508 16,638 1,023 22,436 1,531 6,306 17,661 23,967 Net Book Value At 31 March 2024 2,875 4,094 6,969 3. GENERAL FUNDS 2024 2023 Brought Forward Net Incomingl(Outgoing) Resources Transfer from Capital Fund 59,000 2,155 53,767 5,233 At 31 March 2024 61,155 59,000 McDonald O'Neill & Co. Chartered Accountants 10
THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI 4. CAPITAL FUNDS 2024 2023 Brought Forward Transferred to General Funds At 31 March 2024 McDonald O'Neill & Co. Chartered Accountsnts