St Lazarus Charitable Trust

The St Lazarus Charitable Trust, established in 1983 as the charitable arm of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem in England and Wales, upholds a centuries-old Christian tradition of caring for leprosy sufferers and those in need. Guided by values of compassion, practical humanitarian action, and advancing the Christian faith, its mission focuses on relieving poverty, sickness, disability—especially leprosy and related diseases—while supporting the aged, disaster/war victims, and public education to reduce stigma. With no paid staff and low overheads, the Trust channels funds raised by Order members directly to frontline initiatives, bridging historical legacy with contemporary global health needs through partnerships with specialist NGOs like The Leprosy Mission, LEPRA, and EMMS International.

It prioritizes project funding for leprosy care, research, medical equipment (e.g., hospital centrifuges), healthcare training, medical electives, and empowerment of local initiatives in high-prevalence areas like India, Nepal, and Africa, alongside occasional UK support and emergency relief. Beneficiaries include specialist NGOs, hospitals, and international charities addressing medical needs and poverty among marginalized groups, with a preference for organizations demonstrating Christian values, proven track records, and effective international reach.

Eligible applicants face no geographic or religious restrictions and include UK-based or global entities without strict income thresholds, though medium/large experienced charities are favored. Unsolicited applications require a specific Pro-Forma from the Secretary, submitted by email or post by the annual 30th September deadline, with decisions at the October trustee meeting and notifications by November; emergencies are considered ad hoc. Typical grants range from £2,000 to £10,000 for targeted projects, excluding unrestricted/core costs. Its unique leprosy heritage, discretionary trustee process, and focus on measurable health improvements set it apart in Christian humanitarian funding.