St Francis Leprosy Guild

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £645,737 (2024)
• Geographic Focus: International (Africa, Asia, Brazil - 14 countries)
• Partner Organizations: 40+ leprosy centres and projects
• Founded: 1895
• Charity Number: 1188749

Contact Details

Address: 73 St Charles Square, London W10 6EJ

Phone: 07754 592240

Email: enquiries@stfrancisleprosy.org

Website: www.stfrancisleprosy.org

Overview

Founded in 1895 by nurse Kate Marsden, St Francis Leprosy Guild is the UK's oldest charity dedicated to working towards a leprosy-free world. The organization supports over 40 leprosy centres and projects across 14 countries in Africa, Asia, and Brazil. With total expenditure of £645,737 in 2024, SFLG funds training, research, active case-finding, care and rehabilitation, and emergency relief for people affected by leprosy. Under CEO Clare McIntosh's leadership since 2020, the charity has tripled its income and adopted the TRACE operating strategy, emphasizing proactive Active Case-Finding (ACF) to detect and treat leprosy early. In 2021, they launched a pioneering ACF programme, selecting 6 partners from 52 applicants. The charity maintains a Catholic heritage while serving all people regardless of race or religion, continuing founder Kate Marsden's mission to address the needs of people with leprosy who face social exclusion.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Annual Maintenance Grants (AMGs)

• Core funding provided to established partner organizations
• Supports ongoing operations of leprosy centres, clinics, hospitals, and care homes

Active Case-Finding Projects

• Competitive funding for proactive leprosy detection programs
• In 2021, selected 6 projects from 52 applications
• Currently supporting 9 ACF projects in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Uganda

TRACE Strategy Funding

The charity funds projects across five intervention areas:

• Training: Undergraduate and postgraduate leprosy-specific specialist skills for healthcare workers
• Research: Applied research into leprosy transmission, prevention, and care (in partnership with Leprosy Research Initiative)
• Active Case-Finding: Community screening, skin camps, door-to-door visits in remote areas
• Care: Inpatient and outpatient treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term care
• Emergency Support: Medical equipment, facility maintenance, and emergency reserve fund

Priority Areas

• Early detection and treatment of leprosy to prevent transmission and disability
• Support for marginalized and remote communities with limited healthcare access
• Comprehensive care including medical treatment, rehabilitation, and social support
• Professional education and capacity building for healthcare workers
• Research into prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of leprosy
• Emergency relief and capital equipment for partner organizations

Geographic Focus

Current partner organizations operate in:

• India: ALERT-India, Bombay Leprosy Project, New Hope Rural Leprosy Trust, Karunalaya Leprosy Care Centre, St Joseph's Hospitals
• Bangladesh: Dhanjuri Leprosy Centre
• Nepal: Green Pastures Hospital, Anandaban Leprosy Hospital (TLM Nepal)
• Pakistan: Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre
• Uganda: St Francis Hospitals in Buluba and Nyenga
• Nigeria: St Benedict's Tuberculosis and Leprosy Rehabilitation Hospital, St. Patrick's Hospital
• Sri Lanka: Badulla Leprosy Centre, Manthivu Leprosy Centre
• Ethiopia: Daughters of Charity Jimma Leprosy Centre
• Brazil: Associaçao Comite Ipiranga

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Governance and Leadership

Senior Leadership

Clare McIntosh, CEO (appointed 2020)

• MA in Theology (Oxford University), Advanced Certificate in Marketing, Finance Certificate (Cranfield)
• Previously Head of Commercial Networks at O2; leadership roles at British Gas
• Founded and chairs Chattertots charity (supporting children with Down Syndrome)
• Under her leadership, tripled charity income and secured greater measurable impact
• Presented SFLG's ACF programme results at 21st International Leprosy Congress 2022

Board of Trustees

Edward Reed (Chair)

• Partner at Macfarlanes law firm
• Expertise in asset structuring, personal tax, and succession planning

Clare Barton (Vice-Chair and Safeguarding Lead)

• Solicitor with City law firm and in-house legal experience
• Background as school governor

Caroline Connolly-Newland (Treasurer)

• Head of Risk and Audit
• 25+ years experience in Finance and Audit

Father Gary Dench (Spiritual Director)

• Ordained priest (2019), trained at Venerable English College, Rome
• Parish Priest in Essex with diocesan leadership roles
• Studied Canon Law

Liam Allmark

• Head of Communications, Jesuit Refugee Service UK
• Previously advisor to Catholic Bishops; experience with international Catholic charities

Molly Conrad

• Senior Consultant, The Good Faith Partnership
• Previously worked for Catholic Bishops' Conference
• Specializes in building partnerships between organizations

Professor Noel Gill

• Infectious disease epidemiologist
• Honorary Professor, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
• Worked at National Infectious Disease Surveillance Centre (1980-2020)

Dr. Donal O'Sullivan (Safeguarding Lead)

• Consultant in Communicable Disease Control
• Public Health Consultant; teaches at King's College London

Sandra Pearce

• Background in journalism, publishing, and fundraising
• Previously worked with The Leprosy Mission
• International experience (25+ years in Singapore)

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

St Francis Leprosy Guild does not operate a public application process. The organization selects partner organizations through trustee discretion and proactive identification of high-quality leprosy programs.

Partner Selection Approach

When SFLG does seek new partners for specific initiatives (such as their 2021 Active Case-Finding programme), they:

• Conduct a competitive review process (e.g., reviewing 52 projects to select 6 ACF partners)
• Assess organizations based on alignment with TRACE strategy
• Evaluate capacity for community outreach, active case-finding, and comprehensive care
• Consider access to remote/rural communities where healthcare is limited
• Look for commitment to serving all people regardless of race or religion

Current Partnership Model

SFLG maintains long-term relationships with approximately 40 established partner organizations. These partnerships are characterized by:

• Ongoing Annual Maintenance Grants (AMGs) for core operations
• Project-specific funding aligned with TRACE strategy components
• Collaborative approach to implementing comprehensive leprosy interventions
• Support for both established centres and innovative programs

Application Success Factors

What SFLG Values in Partners

1. Active Case-Finding Capability

The organization's 2021 strategy shift emphasizes proactive detection. CEO Clare McIntosh has championed ACF as essential to achieving Zero Leprosy globally. Partners must demonstrate capacity to conduct community outreach, skin screening camps, and door-to-door visits to find undiagnosed cases.

2. TRACE Strategy Alignment

Partners should implement comprehensive interventions spanning Training, Research, Active Case-Finding, Care, and Emergency support. SFLG seeks organizations that provide holistic support rather than single-intervention programs.

3. Reach to Marginalized Communities

As Clare McIntosh stated in discussions about their Mumbai work, the focus is on “rural and remote communities, where people can be many miles from medical facilities with no means of transport.” Partners must demonstrate commitment to serving disadvantaged populations.

4. Quality Healthcare Delivery

With multiple medical professionals on the board (Professor Noel Gill, Dr. Donal O'Sullivan) and strong connections to London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, SFLG values evidence-based medical practice and professional standards.

5. Long-term Commitment

Several partnerships span decades (e.g., Manthivu Leprosy Centre since 1921, Badulla Leprosy Centre supported since 2015), indicating SFLG prefers sustained relationships over short-term projects.

6. Non-discrimination

Reflecting founder Kate Marsden's 1896 principle, SFLG requires that partners serve all people “regardless of the creed or denomination of its beneficiaries, nor of race, colour, gender or age.”

Partnership Success Examples

Dhanjuri Leprosy Centre (Bangladesh): A longstanding partner operating 13 clinics across Dinajpur district in northern Bangladesh, demonstrating the geographic reach and community integration SFLG values.

Bombay Leprosy Project (India): Selected as one of six ACF programme winners, showing the competitive advantage of organizations with strong urban outreach capabilities and active case-finding expertise.

Green Pastures Hospital (Nepal): Long-term partner demonstrating comprehensive care including inpatient treatment, rehabilitation, and community support.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process exists - SFLG identifies and selects partners through trustee discretion and occasional competitive reviews for specific programmes
• Relationship-based funding model - Success comes through building awareness and reputation in the leprosy sector rather than submitting applications
• Specialized focus - Only organizations working specifically on leprosy prevention, treatment, research, or care align with SFLG's mission
• Geographic priorities - Current focus on Africa, Asia, and Brazil, with particular concentration in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and East Africa
• TRACE strategy alignment essential - Partners should demonstrate capacity for comprehensive interventions, especially Active Case-Finding
• Professional credibility matters - Strong board connections to medical and academic institutions suggest emphasis on evidence-based practice and professional standards
• Long-term commitment valued - Multi-year partnerships are the norm; SFLG invests in sustained relationships rather than one-off projects
• Sector visibility important - Participation in international leprosy conferences, membership in networks like NTD NGO Network and Leprosy Research Initiative may increase visibility to SFLG trustees

References

1. St Francis Leprosy Guild Official Website - Homepage and About Us sections (https://www.stfrancisleprosy.org/) -

1. St Francis Leprosy Guild - Centres and Partners (https://www.stfrancisleprosy.org/centres-and-partners.html) -

1. St Francis Leprosy Guild - What We Do/TRACE Strategy (https://www.stfrancisleprosy.org/what-we-do.html) -

1. St Francis Leprosy Guild - History (https://www.stfrancisleprosy.org/history.html) -

1. St Francis Leprosy Guild - Trustee Biographies (https://www.stfrancisleprosy.org/trustee-biographies.html) -

1. Charity Commission Register - St Francis Leprosy Guild (1188749) (https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1188749&subid=0) -

1. “St Francis Leprosy Guild marks 125th year with new programme” - Independent Catholic News (https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/42997) -

1. “Leprosy Research Initiative - St Francis Leprosy Guild joins LRI as associate partner” (https://leprosyresearch.org/news/st-francis-leprosy-guild-joins-lri-as-associate-partner) -

1. NTD NGO Network - St Francis Leprosy Guild profile (https://www.ntd-ngonetwork.org/st-francis-leprosy-guild) -

1. St Francis Leprosy Guild - Clare McIntosh CEO profile (https://www.stfrancisleprosy.org/clare-mcintosh.html) -