DUDLEY RESOURCING CHURCHES TRUST
Top Church is a Resourcing Church in Dudley
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity had unrestricted reserves of £78,809.33 as of 31 December 2024, which meets its stated policy target of holding reserves equivalent to three months of estimated annual operating costs (capped at £53,880). However, the trustees identify the withdrawal of Strategic Development Fund (SDF) support at the end of 2025 as the primary financial risk, noting that the church will become fully financially self-sufficient and more dependent on donations and self-generated income thereafter.
What the accounts disclose
“A total income of £204,830.31 was received through SDF grants in 2024.”
“Top Church’s policy is to hold back reserves equivalent to 3 months (25%) of the estimated total annual operating costs in 2025.” — page 17
“This represents the largest financial risk to the operation of the church. The purpose of the reserve is to provide a short-term contingency against the risk that income is insufficient to cover its operating costs following the withdrawal of SDF funding.” — page 17
“A trustee of the DRCT, James Treasure, received total payments of £889.64 during 2024 to cover business related expenses (such as subsistence, refreshments for meetings and services, office running costs (e.g. broadband), mileage, resources/equipment for church services and printing). Payments to cover office running expenses throughout the year were approved by trustees in January 2024, whilst other expense claims were approved by another trustee of the DRCT.” — page 34
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2024)
Trustees
- Akinboluji Akinbobola
- BENJAMIN JOHN COLEMAN
- CARLO LORENZO DI TERLIZZI
- Clare Louise Soar
- Deborah Anne Hudson
- JENNIFER COLEMAN
- Rev Esther Jane Treasure
- STEPHANIE LAVINA LOUISE PINCHER
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £511k | £488k |
| 31/12/2023 | £956k | £983k |
| 31/12/2022 | £273k | £227k |
| 31/12/2021 | £461k | £421k |
| 31/12/2020 | £250k | £260k |
Common questions
Is DUDLEY RESOURCING CHURCHES TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that the charity had unrestricted reserves of £78,809.33 as of 31 December 2024, which meets its stated policy target of holding reserves equivalent to three months of estimated annual operating costs (capped at £53,880). However, the trustees identify the withdrawal of Strategic Development Fund (SDF) support at the end of 2025 as the primary financial risk, noting that the church will become fully financially self-sufficient and more dependent on donations and self-generated income thereafter. Its FY2024 accounts were independently examined.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 30/03/2023 | £450 | Coronation celebration |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 20/11/2018 | £802k | "Renewing Top Church for the People of Dudley" |