UNITED PURPOSE
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net expenditure of £3.5m for the year, resulting in unrestricted reserves of -£2.1m, which is below the stated policy target of £10k. The trustees attribute this deficit to a major restructuring and the transfer of programmes to the parent group, Self Help Africa, which has confirmed it will support the charity's debts for at least 12 months.
What the accounts disclose
“The target amount of unrestricted reserves (excluding designated reserves) is £10k.” — page 22
“At the end of 2024, the intercompany balance between United Purpose and Self Help Africa was £2,268,225 (2023: £2,396,703), see Note 14.” — page 52
“During 2024, its subsidiaries were CUMO Microfinance Ltd (to the 31st of October 2024) and Village Aid Ltd (of which United Purpose is a controlling member).” — page 35
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2024)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (21/11/2016)
Trustees
- Dervla Owens
- Geoff Meagher
- Hadi Husani
- Mary Robinson
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £4.9m | £8.4m |
| 31/12/2023 | £12.7m | £14.4m |
| 31/12/2022 | £15.0m | £16.0m |
| 31/12/2021 | £8.9m | £10.5m |
| 31/03/2021 | £19.8m | £18.7m |
Common questions
Is UNITED PURPOSE financially healthy?
The accounts state that the charity reported a net expenditure of £3.5m for the year, resulting in unrestricted reserves of -£2.1m, which is below the stated policy target of £10k. The trustees attribute this deficit to a major restructuring and the transfer of programmes to the parent group, Self Help Africa, which has confirmed it will support the charity's debts for at least 12 months. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by RBK Audit UK Limited.
Who funds UNITED PURPOSE?
Funders whose own accounts filings name UNITED PURPOSE as a grant recipient include PENNY APPEAL, THE ONE FOUNDATION, WILLIAM ADLINGTON CADBURY CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| PENNY APPEAL | FY2021 | £760k |
| PENNY APPEAL | FY2023 | £751k |
| PENNY APPEAL | FY2023 | £751k |
| PENNY APPEAL | FY2022 | £751k |
| THE ONE FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £330k |
| PENNY APPEAL | FY2024 | £279k |
| THE ONE FOUNDATION | FY2021 | £237k |
| WILLIAM ADLINGTON CADBURY CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £20k |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| ZOUQ FOUNDATION | 1 | — |
| THE LOWER GREEN FOUNDATION | 1 | £49k |
| SIR HALLEY STEWART TRUST | 1 | £41k |
| THE PAUL AND SHEILA BRADSHAW FOUNDATION | 1 | £41k |
| H C D MEMORIAL FUND | 1 | £25k |
| ALLAN AND NESTA FERGUSON CHARITABLE SETTLEMENT | 1 | £20k |
| THE ADRIAN SWIRE CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £18k |
| THE COLES-MEDLOCK FOUNDATION | 1 | £10k |