THE ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity transferred all its assets and liabilities to a newly formed CIO on 31 March 2025, resulting in a net decrease in funds of £2,621,746 for the period before the transfer. The trustees report that free reserves of £4,025,546 exceeded their stated policy target of one and a half years' unrestricted expenditure, though they noted macroeconomic uncertainties and expected future property investment needs.
What the accounts disclose
“The policy of the trustees towards the General Reserve is to hold an amount roughly equivalent to one and a half year’s unrestricted expenditure.”
“We draw attention to the principal accounting policies on page 26 which states that the trustees of The Order of Friars Minor Charitable Trust have prepared the accounts on a basis other than going concern. This is due to the trustees’ decision to transfer the activities, assets and liabilities of the unincorporated charity to a newly formed Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 31 March 2025.” — page 20
Year-over-year changes
- Going concern: no going-concern doubt (FY2023) → going-concern doubt noted (FY2025).
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Fr David Collins OFM — Provincial Minister
- Fr Aidan McGrath OFM — Minister Provincial
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (05/03/2020)
Trustees
- Rev PATRICK LONSDALE OFMchair
- REV EDMUND HIGHTON OFM
- Rev Antony Jukes
- Rev George Smulski
- Rev Michael Copps OFM
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £1.7m | £23.0m |
| 31/12/2023 | £1.7m | £1.1m |
| 31/12/2022 | £1.2m | £1.2m |
| 31/12/2021 | £1.3m | £786k |
| 31/12/2020 | £803k | £803k |
Common questions
Is THE ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR financially healthy?
The accounts state that the charity transferred all its assets and liabilities to a newly formed CIO on 31 March 2025, resulting in a net decrease in funds of £2,621,746 for the period before the transfer. The trustees report that free reserves of £4,025,546 exceeded their stated policy target of one and a half years' unrestricted expenditure, though they noted macroeconomic uncertainties and expected future property investment needs. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Buzzacott Audit LLP.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 30/03/2000 | £58k | "Franciscan Friary & Church, Chilworth- Reroofing Phase II" |