Annual Financial Report
The Hestia Project
Reporting Period: August 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026
Financial Overview
Our Commitment to Responsible Financial Management
At The Hestia Project, we recognize that every dollar entrusted to us represents the confidence of our donors, funders, volunteers, and community partners. We are committed to responsible financial management, transparency, and ensuring that resources are directed toward achieving our mission. This report summarizes our financial performance for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2026.
Message from Leadership
A message from the Executive Director.
The 2025 fiscal year was a year of growth and foundation for us. Throughout the year, we remained focused on our mission to collaborate with communities impacted by domestic violence using a restorative justice framework, while ensuring that our financial resources were managed responsibly, transparently, and aligned with our strategic priorities.During the fiscal year, the organization generated over $12,000 in total revenue and incurred almost the same in total expenses, resulting in a surplus of $426.13. Compared with the previous fiscal year, revenue increased by 165%, while expenses increased by 123%.
What the Numbers Tell Us
This year’s financial results reflect our commitment to providing restorative services and the community’s strong engagement with our mission and values. We exceeded our original financial expectations, driven primarily by the launch of Stronger Together and the overwhelming response to our first annual murder mystery fundraiser. The event generated not only meaningful financial support, but also significant community interest and feedback. The response made it clear that once-a-year events were not enough to meet the community’s enthusiasm and demand for opportunities to engage with our organization. In response to this feedback, we have decided to bring back ongoing murder mystery events, with the next event series launching in Autumn 2026. This shift will allow us to build on the success of our inaugural fundraiser while creating more frequent opportunities for community engagement, fundraising, and awareness of our work.
A significant area of focus this year was building organizational capacity as we prepared for and launched our first client-facing program. While these investments increased expenses, they were considered necessary to support the organization's long-term sustainability and ability to fulfill its mission.
The coming fiscal year will focus on strengthening the financial foundation needed to support the growth of The Hestia Project and ensure that Stronger Together is accessible and barrier-free to those who need it. A key priority will be pursuing grants and other sustainable funding opportunities to support program delivery and reduce reliance on participant fees. We will also continue developing ongoing fundraising events that bring the community together while generating meaningful support for our work.
Based on the results of this financial review, we will focus on increasing and diversifying revenue sources, improving financial forecasting, maintaining responsible spending practices, and beginning to build organizational reserves. As a growing charity, we recognize the importance of balancing investment in programs and services with the need to establish greater financial stability. Our goal is to create a more predictable financial foundation that allows us to respond to unexpected expenses, pursue future opportunities, and continue expanding our impact without compromising accessibility or the quality of our services.
We are grateful to our donors, funders, volunteers, partners, staff, and Board for their continued trust and support. Every contribution represents an investment in our mission, and we remain committed to using those resources thoughtfully, transparently, and responsibly.
Financial Highlights
At a Glance
Total Revenue $12,269.44
Total Expenses $11,843.31
Annual Surplus $426.13
Number of Donors 5
Participants Served 26
Highlights
Largest funding source: Private donations
Largest program investment: Stronger Together
Percentage spent on programs: 4%
Percentage spent on administration: 73%
Percentage spent on fundraising: 23
Revenue by Source
Revenue Source Actual % of Total Revenue
Individual Donations $7,672.28 62.5%
Corporate Sponsorships $3,056.75 25%
Fundraising Events $1,540.41 12.5%
Total Revenue 100%
Expense Discussion
As a charity wrapping up our second year in business, we experienced a financial year characterized by higher start-up and infrastructure costs and limited investment capacity. Many of our expenses were necessary to establish the systems, resources, and infrastructure required to begin delivering services and building a sustainable organization. As a result, this year's expenses should be viewed in the context of organizational development rather than as a representation of the organization's long-term operating structure.
Major Expenditures
The organization's largest expenditures during the fiscal year were related to professional fees required for us to operate legally. These expenses supported the establishment and delivery of our programs while creating the operational foundation necessary for future growth. Other large expenditures include technology, fundraising expenses, and insurance. While some of the major expenditures represent ongoing operational expenses, others are primarily associated with establishing the organization and are not expected to recur at the same level in future years. Our professional fees were highest in this fiscal year due to required incorporation costs, which are a one-time expense.
Cost-Saving Initiatives
Despite the significant costs associated with establishing a new charity, we remained committed to responsible and intentional spending. Where possible, we prioritized essential expenditures and delayed non-essential purchases until sufficient funding was available. This approach also allowed us to launch Stronger Together as a fee-for-service program while pursuing grant funding, rather than delaying access until grants were awarded. By taking this approach, community members who needed services were able to begin accessing support earlier, while the organization continued working toward securing sustainable funding to make the program barrier-free.
Looking Beyond Start-Up Costs
As we move beyond our initial start-up phase, we anticipate that our financial priorities will gradually shift from establishing basic infrastructure to strengthening sustainability and growth. Future budgets will place greater emphasis on maintaining appropriate operating reserves, increasing predictable revenue, diversifying funding sources, and making strategic investments that support long-term organizational stability.We recognize our current financial position reflects the realities of building a new charity with limited initial capital. Rather than viewing the absence of significant financial investments as a weakness, we view this period as an opportunity to establish responsible financial practices before pursuing larger-scale growth. As revenue becomes more predictable, our goal will be to increase the proportion of resources available for reserves, future investments, and expanded program delivery.
Overall Assessment
Overall, this year's expenses reflect the reality of building an organization from the ground up. While start-up costs were high and the organization had limited capacity to accumulate investments or reserves, expenditures were directed toward establishing the foundation necessary for us to operate effectively and pursue our mission. Moving forward, we will continue to monitor expenses closely, identify opportunities to reduce recurring costs, and ensure that future growth is supported by a stronger and more diversified financial foundation.
Program Investment
Program Impact
As a growing organization, our financial goals for the coming year will focus on moving from establishing our foundation to building greater stability. We will prioritize securing consistent funding, strengthening our fundraising systems, developing an operating reserve, and improving our ability to forecast future financial needs. While continued investment in organizational infrastructure will be necessary, we will remain intentional about spending and ensure that available resources are directed toward the areas where they can create the greatest impact.
Donors and Sponsors
Major Donors & Sponsors
Carlyle Printers, Services, and Supplies
2 private monthly donors
Looking Ahead
In the coming year, we will focus on:
Financial sustainability
Revenue diversification
Strategic investments
Program expansion
Operational improvements
Future funding priorities
Appreciation
Thank you to every donor, volunteer, funder, partner, and community member who made this work possible. Your generosity allows us to continue creating meaningful impact while remaining accountable stewards of every contribution.