Human Relief Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £8,090,000 (charitable activities expenditure, 2024)
• Total Income: £8,818,332 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (no public application process)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (no public application process)
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed
• Geographic Focus: International humanitarian aid (Bangladesh, France, Ghana, India, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Yemen)

Contact Details

Address: 2 Claremont, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1BQ

Phone: 01274 392727

Email: donate@hrf.org.uk

Website: www.hrf.org.uk

Registered Charity Number: 1126281 (England & Wales), SC038671 (Scotland)

Overview

Human Relief Foundation (HRF) was established in the United Kingdom in 1991 in response to the Gulf War. First registered with the Charity Commission in 1995 (as charity 1043676), it became a company limited by guarantee in 2007 under its current registration number 1126281. HRF provides humanitarian aid and assistance by responding to emergencies and empowering societies through education and training. With an income of £8.8 million in 2024 and 146 employees supported by 100 volunteers, HRF operates both as a direct implementer of humanitarian projects and as a grant-making organization. The Charity Commission classifies HRF's main way of carrying out its purposes as “grant making,” noting that the charity “makes grants to individuals and makes grants to organisations.” HRF was granted Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations in April 2003, reflecting its international standing. The organization works with major UN agencies and local NGOs across multiple crisis-affected countries.

Funding Priorities

Grant-Making Approach

HRF makes grants to both individuals and organizations as part of its humanitarian methodology. Rather than operating an open grant application process, HRF provides funding through:

• Partnership grants to UN agencies: HRF has worked with UNRWA, providing funding for emergency aid including water, food, shelter, and medical supplies
• Grants to local NGOs: HRF collaborates with smaller-scale local Non-Governmental Organisations in countries where they operate
• Capacity-building support: HRF's team trains local NGOs in disaster-prone countries to better equip them for disaster response
• Individual grants: Support provided directly to individuals in need

Priority Areas

HRF focuses on the following humanitarian sectors:

• Emergency relief: Rapid response to natural disasters and conflicts
• Food security: Working with partners like the World Food Programme
• Water and sanitation: Clean water provision in crisis zones
• Healthcare: Medical supplies and health programs
• Education: Educational support and training programs
• Livelihoods: Vocational training and economic empowerment
• Refugee support: Assistance to displaced populations
• Orphan care: Support for vulnerable children

Geographic Focus

HRF operates internationally in: Bangladesh, France, Ghana, India, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Yemen, as well as locally in Bradford, UK (supporting food banks and community projects).

What They Don't Fund

As HRF does not operate a public grant application process, they do not fund unsolicited proposals from organizations outside their established partnership network.

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Governance and Leadership

HRF is governed by 5 trustees who receive no remuneration for their service. The organization employs 146 staff members and is supported by 100 volunteers. HRF has one or more trading subsidiaries.

The organization is a signatory of the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and is a member of the British Overseas National Development Forum (BOND).

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

There is no public application process. Human Relief Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications from external organizations.

HRF makes grants to organizations through established partnerships and collaborative relationships rather than through an open call for proposals. Their grant-making occurs as part of their operational humanitarian work, with funding directed to UN agencies, local implementing partners, and individuals identified through their field operations.

Partnership Development

Organizations interested in working with HRF should focus on:

• Partnership inquiries: Contact HRF directly at 01274 392727 or via their website to explore potential collaboration opportunities
• Sector engagement: HRF works with organizations in humanitarian sectors including emergency relief, health, education, and livelihoods
• Local presence: HRF partners with local NGOs in the countries where they operate, particularly for disaster response capacity building
• Shared values: Alignment with HRF's humanitarian mission and approach to community-based development

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since HRF does not operate a public grant application process, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations seeking to develop partnerships with HRF should note:

• Established track record: HRF partners with major UN agencies (UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF, UNDP, UN-HABITAT) as well as smaller local NGOs with proven capacity
• Geographic alignment: Organizations operating in HRF's target countries (particularly crisis-affected regions in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa) are more likely to be relevant partners
• Capacity building focus: HRF has shown commitment to training and strengthening local NGOs in disaster-prone countries
• Collaborative approach: HRF emphasizes working with local communities and supporting them to find their own solutions to challenges
• Humanitarian principles: Alignment with international humanitarian standards, including the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This is not a traditional grant-making trust; organizations cannot submit applications through an open process
• Partnership-based funding: HRF makes grants through established collaborative relationships rather than competitive applications
• Dual model: HRF both implements projects directly and makes grants to partner organizations as part of integrated humanitarian responses
• Local NGO focus: HRF specifically works with smaller local NGOs in crisis-affected countries, providing both funding and capacity building
• UN partnerships: Strong relationships with major UN humanitarian agencies demonstrate credibility and scale
• Bradford roots: Despite international focus, HRF remains committed to local community work in Bradford where they are based
• Relationship building essential: Organizations interested in HRF funding should focus on developing direct relationships rather than preparing grant applications

References

• Charity Commission Register of Charities - Human Relief Foundation (1126281). Available at: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=1126281
• Human Relief Foundation website. Available at: https://www.hrf.org.uk/
• Human Relief Foundation - Our Partners page. Available at: https://www.hrf.org.uk/who-we-are/our-partners/
• Find that Charity - Human Relief Foundation (GB-CHC-1126281). Available at: https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-1126281
• Charity Commission financial data for year ending 31 December 2024