## **THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI**
## **ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
**McDONALD O’NEILL & CO CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS**
**THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI**
## **CONTENTS**
||**PAGE**|
|---|---|
|General Information|2|
|Trustees Report|3 – 4|
|Independent Examiner’s Report|5|
|Statement of Financial Activities|6|
|Balance Sheet|7|
|Notes to the Statement of Financial Activities|8 - 9|
**__________________________________________________________________________________ McDonald O’Neill & Co. Chartered Accountants**
1
**THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI**
## **GENERAL INFORMATION**
|**Trustees**||
|---|---|
||Patricia O’Kelly|
||Gerry Burns|
||Irene Jovaras|
||Mary McKinley|
||Juanita Majury|
||Emmanuel Robert McGivern|
|**Administrative address**|20 College Park Avenue|
||BELFAST|
||BT7 1LR|
||Northern Ireland|
|**Accountants**|McDonald O’Neill & Co.|
||Chartered Accountants|
||5 Union Buildings|
||Union Place|
||DUNGANNON|
||Co. Tyrone|
||BT70 1DL|
|**Bankers**|Ulster Bank|
||University Road Branch|
||91/93 University Road|
||BELFAST|
||BT7 1NG|
|**Charity Number**|NIC102512|
|**Inland Revenue Tax Reference**|XT21933|
**__________________________________________________________________________________ McDonald O’Neill & Co. Chartered Accountants**
2
**THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI**
## **TRUSTEES REPORT**
## **Structure, Governance & 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 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[nd] 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 Founded in Italy in 1943, the Focolare Movement promotes unity across cultures, faiths, and sectors of society, inspired by the Gospel phrase “May they all be one” (Jn 17:21). Headquartered in Rome, it operates globally, including in Northern Ireland.
## **Activities in Northern Ireland**
## **Dialogue & Peacebuilding**
Promotes interfaith/ecumenical dialogue, ecological awareness, and inclusive community spaces. Events and workshops are coordinated with Focolare centres in Belfast, Dublin, and County Kildare.
## **Spiritual Formation & Outreach**
Publishes the “Word of Life” reflection monthly, with a daily motto shared via social media. Hosts regular gatherings including lunch groups, clergy meetings, and spiritual reflections.
## **Social Support**
Encourages redistribution of goods to those in need. A walking group helps newcomers build connections and friendships.
**__________________________________________________________________________________**
**McDonald O’Neill & Co. Chartered Accountants**
3
**THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI**
## **Cross-Community Initiatives**
Supports collaborations with other organisations in NI in focusing on building unity with Christian churches, cross community work and social cohesion.
## **Church & Synodal Engagement**
Participates in local parish life, inter-church meetings, and the Catholic Church’s synodal process. Recent involvement includes the “30 Years of Peace?” event and the “Finding the Face of God in One Another” gathering.
## **Ecumenical & International Conferences**
Contributed to “Called to Hope” events in the UK and Rome, fostering ecumenical dialogue and unity.
## **Ecological Action**
Promotes sustainability through the EcoPlan initiative and participation in events like the “Green Care Webinar.” Members are active in the Laudato Si’ Movement and climate justice initiatives.
## **“Join the Dots Together” (JTDT)**
A multi-faith ecological network created to faciliate communication and collaborate in organising events such as for “Season of Creation”. Co-hosted an information session on the global “Women, Faith and Climate” network.
## **International Engagement**
Active in campaigns like #daretocare and projects such as United World Project and Living Peace. Supports student formation through partnerships with Queen’s University and involvement in “Dialogue for Africa.”
## **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 2025 and show a deficit of (£13,251)
## **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**
**DATE: ........................................... DATE: ...........................................**
**__________________________________________________________________________________ McDonald O’Neill & Co. Chartered Accountants**
4
**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 2025 which are set out on pages 6 to 9.
## **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 responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 65 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008;
- 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:
1. 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 (1) 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 O’Neill & Co. Chartered Accountants 5 Union Buildings, Union Place Dungannon, Co. Tyrone**
**Date:** .........................................
**__________________________________________________________________________________ McDonald O’Neill & Co. Chartered Accountants**
5
**THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
|**Notes**
**INCOMING 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
**TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES**
**RESOURCES EXPENDED**
Contributions to central fund for development of
Focolare communities in developing countries
Ecumenical Meeting of Bishops
Donations & Gifts
Meeting W.Europe/Centre & Translation
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
Profit/Losses on disposals
**TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED**
**NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES**
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
Funds brought forward
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**|**12 Months ended**
**31 March 2025**|**12 Months ended**
**31 March 2024**|
|---|---|---|
||**General Funds**|**General Funds**
**£**
75,879
11,861
10,120
9,119
2,012|
||**£**||
||||
||82,048||
||8,974||
||11,953||
||10,066||
||8,314||
||||
||**121,355**|**108,991**|
||||
|||33,590
-
3,997
19,975
12,883
3,738
6,362
3,587
4,726
14,583
223
1,320
1,023
508
321
-|
||47,115||
||-||
||1,107
989||
||25,850||
||17,889||
||4,712||
||11,058||
||4,929||
||3,957||
||13,961||
||129||
||1,320||
||819||
||431||
||340||
||-||
||**134,606**|**106,836**|
|||**2,155**
59,000|
||**(13,251)**||
||||
||||
||61,155||
||||
||||
||**47,904**|**61,155**|
||||
**__________________________________________________________________________________ McDonald O’Neill & Co. Chartered Accountants**
6
**THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI**
## **BALANCE SHEET – 31 MARCH 2025**
|**Notes**
**2025**
**£**
**FIXED ASSETS**
**2**
Fixtures, fittings and equipment
2,445
Motor vehicles
3,275
______
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Prepayments
3,122
Other debtor
-
Bank account
42,631
Cash account
31
______
45,784
**CURRENT LIABILITIES**
Accruals & Creditors
(850)
______
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**DEFERRED INCOME**
Church Donation – World Meeting
of Families
**NET ASSETS**
**FUNDS**
General funds
**3**
Capital funds
**4**
**Total funds**|**2024**
**£**
**£**
2,875
4,094
5,720
______
3,462
-
54,339
9
______
57,810
(874)
______
44,934
(2,750)
______
47,904
~~______~~
47,904
0
______
47,904
~~______~~|
**£**
6,969
56,936
(2,750)
______
61,155|
|---|---|---|
|||~~______~~
61,155
0
______
61,155|
|||~~______~~|
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’Neill & Co. with all information and explanations necessary for its compilation.
**SIGNED: ............................................ DATE: ...................................... Trustee SIGNED: ............................................ DATE: ......................................**
**SIGNED: ............................................ Trustee**
**__________________________________________________________________________________ McDonald O’Neill & Co. Chartered Accountants**
7
**THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI**
## **NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**
## **1. 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**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|
||**Equipment**|||
|**Cost**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|At 1 April 2024|9,181|21,755|30,936|
|Additions|0|0|0|
|Disposals|0|0|0|
|At 31 March 2025|9,181|21,755|30,936|
||_______|_______|_______|
|**Depreciation**||||
|At 1 April 2024|6,305|17,661|23,966|
|Charge for the year|431|819|1,250|
|Eliminated on disposal|0|0|0|
|At 31 March 2025|6,736|18,480|25,216|
||_______|_______|_______|
|**Net Book Value**||||
|At 31 March 2025|2,445|3,275|5,720|
||_______|_______|_______|
|**3. GENERAL FUNDS**||||
|||**2025**|**2024**|
|||**£**|**£**|
|Brought Forward||61,155|59,000|
|Net Incoming/(Outgoing) Resources||(13,251)|2,155|
|Transfer from Capital Fund||0|0|
|||_______|_______|
|At 31 March 2025||47,904|61,155|
|||_______|_______|
**__________________________________________________________________________________ McDonald O’Neill & Co. Chartered Accountants**
8
## **THE FOCOLARE TRUST NI**
|**4. CAPITAL FUNDS**|||
|---|---|---|
||**2025**|**2024**|
||**£**|**£**|
|Brought Forward|0|0|
|Transferred to General Funds|0|0|
||_______|_______|
|At 31 March 2025|0|0|
||_______|_______|
**__________________________________________________________________________________ McDonald O’Neill & Co. Chartered Accountants**
9