Medical Missionary News

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £620,547 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Approximately 3-6 months (Spring and Autumn trustee meetings)
• Grant Range: Not publicly specified - varies by project
• Geographic Focus: International (Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America)

Contact Details

Website: www.mmn.uk.com

Email: info@mmn.uk.com

Phone: 01793 538200

Address: Unit 16, Star West, Westmead Drive, Swindon, Wiltshire SN5 7SW

Overview

Medical Missionary News (MMN) was founded in 1922 by a group of Christian doctors concerned about medical missionaries working overseas. Originally registered as charity 229296, the organization converted to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in 2023 under registration number 1200235. With an annual giving of over £620,000, MMN supports those involved in making Jesus Christ known through healthcare services, bringing relief from disease, sickness, and suffering in less resourced parts of the world. The charity provides support through prayer, grants, and the provision of medical care and supplies to Christian organizations across more than 30 countries. MMN has evolved from primarily shipping medical supplies (peaking at 78 containers to 11 countries in 2004) to focusing predominantly on grant-making and supporting medical professionals in mission contexts.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

MMN provides grants through a trustee-reviewed process with decisions made at regular Spring and Autumn meetings. Grant amounts vary by project and are not publicly specified. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for review at the next scheduled trustee meeting.

Priority Areas

MMN supports projects that meet the following criteria:

• Medical care and public health: Mission hospitals and clinics, community healthcare programmes including mobile clinics and medical camps
• Linked to local church/Christian mission: Projects must demonstrate connection to Christian mission work
• Professional with robust safeguards: Professionally delivered medical and administrative projects
• Sustainable local impact: Projects aimed at being sustained locally in the longer term
• Good value for money: Demonstrated cost-effectiveness
• Strong accountability: Clear reporting and monitoring structures
• Support for vulnerable populations: Care for the disabled, orphans through day care centres, orphanages, and schools
• Medical education and training: Bursaries for doctors, nurses, and students in medical/mission training and development both in UK and overseas
• Disaster response: Assistance to refugees and those affected by natural disasters

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, MMN requires:

• Projects must adhere to MMN's Statement of Faith
• Projects must have both medical and mission elements
• Preference for organizations known to MMN (unknown applicants typically not funded)

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Governance and Leadership

Staff Team:

• Grev Parmenter, Director: Qualified accountant with 25 years in corporate world, joined MMN in May 2018. Responsible for grant-giving, training, and developing medical mission support
• Margaret Pearce, Office Administrator: Joined April 2020, brings experience in Administration and Finance from corporate sector
• Hannah Pearce, Communications Manager: Joined March 2020, previously worked at Echoes International for 5 years

Trustees: 9 trustees (specific names not publicly listed)

The organization operates with 3 employees, 9 trustees, and 6 volunteers. No trustees receive remuneration, and no employees have total benefits over £60,000.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

MMN accepts grant applications through a written proposal process:

• Project must comply with MMN's Statement of Faith (available on their website)
• Follow all requirements in the Grant-making Policy

Decision Timeline

• Applications are reviewed by trustees at regular meetings held in Spring and Autumn
• Applicants are informed of decisions in writing by the Director
• Typical timeframe: 3-6 months depending on when application is submitted relative to trustee meetings
• Urgent cases: The Director can seek approval between meetings through electronic circulation (requires majority trustee approval), but this does not apply to new/unknown applicants

Success Rates

Success rate statistics are not publicly available. MMN notes that trustees welcome proposals from UK or overseas organizations that meet funding priorities, and will consider proposals from individuals known to MMN.

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated in publicly available information.

Application Success Factors

Based on MMN's grant-making policy and organizational priorities, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Dual Focus: Clear integration of both medical care and Christian mission elements - MMN states “the gospel is at the heart of everything we do”

1. Local Sustainability: Projects that will be “sustained locally in the longer term” with professional delivery both medically and administratively

1. Value for Money: Demonstrated cost-effectiveness and strong accountability structures

1. Safeguarding: Robust safeguards in place for beneficiaries

1. Relationship Building: MMN states they “will not usually fund projects or individuals who are unknown to us” - establishing prior contact is crucial for new applicants

1. Clear Beneficiary Impact: Applications must clearly demonstrate how the grant will directly benefit those suffering from disease, sickness, and suffering in less resourced areas

1. Partial Funding Expectation: MMN typically funds partial project costs rather than 100% of project expenses

1. Monitoring Compliance: Successful applicants must provide financial records, progress updates, and final project reports (MMN may conduct site visits)

1. Faith Alignment: Adherence to MMN's Statement of Faith is mandatory - projects must align with their Christian mission

Geographic Track Record: MMN has supported projects in Peru, India, Mozambique (early grants in 2002), Zambia (Mambilima Mission hospital), Uganda (ACHERU, Accomplish Children's Trust), and Zimbabwe (ACET Shining Star Project).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Build relationships first: MMN typically does not fund unknown applicants - establish contact before applying, potentially through introductions from existing partners or by engaging with their communications
• Emphasize sustainability: Demonstrate how your project will be sustained locally beyond the grant period with local ownership
• Integrate mission and medicine: Your project must clearly show both healthcare delivery and Christian mission elements working together
• Plan for twice-yearly decisions: Time your application to align with Spring or Autumn trustee meetings for review
• Prepare for partial funding: Budget with the expectation that MMN will cover a portion of costs, not the full amount
• Demonstrate professionalism: Show robust medical, administrative, and safeguarding systems are in place
• Be ready for accountability: Prepare to provide financial records, progress updates, and final reports, with possibility of site visits

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Randal Charitable Foundation
• Blackfriars Overseas Aid Trust
• Christadelphian Meal A Day Fund
• The Angus Lawson Memorial Trust
• The Cumber Family Charitable Trust
• The Jerusalem Trust
• The Watson Family Charitable Trust
• The Jephcott Charitable Trust
• T. & J. Meyer Family Foundation Limited
• UK Foundation for Christian Service

References

• UK Charity Commission Register - Medical Missionary News (1200235): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/constituency-search/-/charity-details/5189952
• UK Charity Commission Register - Medical Missionary News Fund (229296): https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?subid=0&regid=229296
• Medical Missionary News Official Website: https://mmn.uk.com/
• MMN Grant-making Policy: https://mmn.uk.com/grant-making-policy
• MMN About Us: https://mmn.uk.com/about-us
• MMN History: https://mmn.uk.com/history
• MMN Our Team: https://mmn.uk.com/about-us/our-team
• MMN Grants Service: https://mmn.uk.com/services/grants