Tearfund

Quick Stats

• Registered Charity Number: 265464
• Annual Giving: £82.7 million (2023/24)
• Annual Income: £82.6 million (2023/24)
• Number of Partners: 243 organisations across 46 countries
• Charitable Spend: 86p per £1 goes to charitable activities (2024/25)
• Geographic Focus: International (50+ countries, primarily Africa, Asia, Middle East)
• Application Process: No public application process - works through existing relationships

Contact Details

Website: www.tearfund.org

General Enquiries: 020 3906 3906

Email: [email protected]

Registered Office: 100 Church Road, Teddington, TW11 8QE

Partnership Enquiries: For existing partners, contact your in-country Tearfund representative. New organisations interested in partnership should contact the main office.

Overview

Founded in 1968 in response to the Biafra famine, Tearfund began as the Evangelical Alliance Relief Fund before becoming an independent registered charity in 1973. With an annual expenditure of £82.7 million (2023/24), Tearfund operates as a Christian relief and development agency committed to eradicating poverty. The organisation works through 243 local partner organisations across 46 countries, mobilising 57,000 local churches as transformation centres. In the most recent reporting year, Tearfund directly reached 2.9 million people through projects and 2.3 million through humanitarian responses, with a further 6 million impacted through church and community transformation work. Tearfund maintains strong financial efficiency with 86 pence in every pound going to life-changing work in the poorest communities. Silas Balraj was appointed as CEO in August 2025, starting in September 2025, bringing over 20 years of experience from Compassion International where he served as Vice President for Asia.

Funding Priorities

Grant-Making Model

Tearfund operates through a partnership model rather than open grant applications. They make grants to local Christian churches, church-based organisations, and Christian partner organisations in more than 50 countries. Partnerships are typically long-term relationships, recognising that community and organisational development takes time.

Partner Selection Criteria:

• Faith-based organisations motivated by their faith in Christ
• Focus on the poorest and most marginalised people
• Alignment with Tearfund Country Strategy objectives
• Priority given to rights, interests, needs, and capacities of people served
• Address both symptoms and causes of poverty and marginalisation
• Produce tangible, lasting improvements in lives
• Strengthen skills within communities, civil society, and government

Four Strategic Focus Areas

1. Meeting Emergency Needs - Rapid response to crises and disasters affecting vulnerable communities
2. Mobilising Churches - Envisioning, empowering, and equipping churches to transform their communities
3. Transforming Communities - Building resilient communities that can withstand shocks and stresses
4. Changing Society - Influencing social, political, and economic systems to benefit the poorest

Priority Areas

• Church-led community development
• Disaster relief and humanitarian response
• Environmental and economic sustainability
• Livelihoods and economic development
• Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)
• Health and nutrition
• Gender justice and women's empowerment
• Advocacy and policy change
• Peacebuilding in conflict-affected areas

What They Fund

• Local church capacity building
• Community development projects
• Emergency humanitarian response
• Advocacy and campaigning initiatives
• Organisational strengthening for smaller community-based organisations
• Both financial support and skills development

Faith-Based Requirement

Tearfund's policy is to finance relief, development, and advocacy activities of organisations motivated by their faith in Christ and by their desire to demonstrate God's commitment to justice, mercy, and the poor. Partners must share Christian faith and values.

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Governance and Leadership

Chair of Trustees

Anna Laszlo - Appointed Chair in 2018. Former civil servant with the Department for International Development and Foreign and Commonwealth Office (14 years), with postings in Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Previously served as chair of World Vision UK. Brings experience as a trained facilitator, workplace mediator, coach, litigation lawyer, and part-time judge.

Chief Executive Officer

Silas Balraj - Appointed August 2025, started September 2025. Brings over 20 years of experience from Compassion International where he held senior positions including Country Director for India, Vice President for Asia, and Senior Principal in Compassion's global programme function. Previously spent eight years in India's information technology sector.

Quote from CEO Silas Balraj: "I am honoured to join Tearfund at such a pivotal time. Around the world, millions still face the harsh realities of extreme poverty and injustice, and I'm deeply inspired by Tearfund's commitment to working through the local church to bring lasting change. I'm passionate about the role of the church to transform communities facing crisis, and I look forward to being part of that mission."

Board of Trustees

Recent trustees include:

• Bishop Anthony Poggo (adviser to the Archbishop of Canterbury on Anglican Communion Affairs)
• Phil Loney (Group Chief Executive of the Royal London Group, formerly with Axa, Aviva, Saga Services and Lloyds Bank)
• Rosemary Nuamah Williams (extensive career in international politics and policy)
• John Shaw
• Craig Rowland
• Deepak Mahtani
• Jill Garner
• Mark Melluish
• Stephanie Heald
• Bishop Harold Miller
• Ian Curtis

Executive Leadership

Olutayo - Global Director of People and Culture, with more than 32 years of experience in international NGOs managing programs across Africa and Eastern Europe.

How to Apply to Tearfund

How to Apply

Tearfund does not have a public application process. According to their official FAQs: “Tearfund is not currently able to accept applications for organisational or individual funding.”

Tearfund works through established relationships with local partners. Country teams use their expertise and local knowledge to decide which organisations to partner with and establish partnership agreements. Partners are selected based on how they can contribute to the achievement of the Tearfund Country Strategy.

Partnership Approach

Tearfund approaches partnerships with a biblical understanding of shared faith and vision, valued relationship, and mutual respect. Their role is to “lovingly shift power and resources to their partners.” They provide both financial support and organisational strengthening, particularly for smaller and community-based organisations.

To inquire about partnership opportunities:

• Phone: 020 3906 3366
• Email: [email protected]
• For existing partners: Contact your in-country Tearfund representative

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no open application process. Partnerships are developed through relationship-building and alignment with country strategies rather than application cycles.

Application Success Factors

Since Tearfund does not accept open applications, success depends on being identified by Tearfund country teams or developing relationships through existing networks. However, understanding what Tearfund looks for in partners is valuable:

Key Partnership Criteria

1. Christian Faith Foundation - Organisations must be motivated by Christian faith and demonstrate God's commitment to justice, mercy, and the poor
2. Local Presence and Knowledge - Tearfund prioritises working with locally-led grassroots organisations already operating in communities
3. Focus on the Poorest - Partners must demonstrate commitment to reaching the most marginalised and vulnerable populations
4. Holistic Approach - Projects should address both symptoms and causes of poverty
5. Church Connection - Strong preference for church-based or church-connected organisations
6. Organisational Capacity - While Tearfund supports capacity building, partners need foundational organisational structures
7. Long-term Commitment - Tearfund seeks sustainable, long-term relationships rather than one-off projects
8. Strategic Alignment - Partners must align with Tearfund's country-specific strategies

Tearfund's Partnership Philosophy

As stated in their materials: "Tearfund's support of locally led grassroots development is responsive to local context“ and they ”normally commit to a long-term relationship with partners,“ recognising that ”development of both communities and organisations takes time."

Chair Anna Laszlo on the new CEO appointment: “Silas brings a wealth of leadership, experience, and vision to Tearfund. His deep commitment to seeing the church act as a catalyst for community transformation will be foundational.”

What Makes Organisations Stand Out

• Church mobilisation experience - Demonstrated success in envisioning and equipping local churches
• Community-led approach - Evidence of community ownership and participation
• Environmental sustainability - Alignment with Tearfund's corporate priority on environmental and economic sustainability
• Systems change focus - Ability to address policy, advocacy, and systemic issues alongside direct service
• Proven track record - Demonstrated results in producing tangible, lasting improvements

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. No Open Applications: Tearfund does not accept unsolicited funding applications. They work exclusively through pre-existing relationships and strategic partnerships identified by country teams.

1. Faith-Based Requirement: Only Christian organisations motivated by their faith in Christ are eligible for partnership. This is a fundamental, non-negotiable criterion.

1. Local Presence Essential: Tearfund prioritises partnerships with locally-led organisations already embedded in communities, not international organisations seeking entry.

1. Church-Centred Model: With 57,000 local churches mobilised, Tearfund's approach centres on church-led transformation. Church connections are highly valuable.

1. Long-Term Relationships: Tearfund commits to sustained partnerships, not one-off grants. They invest in organisational capacity building over time.

1. Strategic Fit: Partnerships must align with country-specific Tearfund strategies, which are designed based on local needs and contexts.

1. Relationship Building: Organisations interested in Tearfund partnership should focus on building relationships through sector networks, participating in relevant Christian development forums, and demonstrating alignment with Tearfund's values and approach over time.

1. Alternative Route: Consider connecting with existing Tearfund partners in your region, attending Christian development conferences where Tearfund is active, or building your organisation's reputation in ways that might come to the attention of Tearfund country staff.

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References

1. Tearfund Official Website - About Us, Our Vision and Values. https://www.tearfund.org/about-us/our-vision-and-values

1. Tearfund Official Website - General FAQs. https://www.tearfund.org/useful-links/general-faqs

1. Tearfund Official Website - Where We Work. https://www.tearfund.org/about-us/our-impact/where-we-work

1. Tearfund Official Website - Working in Partnership. https://www.tearfund.org.au/what-we-do/working-in-partnership

1. Tearfund Official Website - Top 50 Partner Organisations 2023/24. https://www.tearfund.org/about-us/our-impact/top-50-partner-organisations-2023-24

1. Tearfund Press Release - “Tearfund announces new CEO”. https://www.tearfund.org/stories/media/press-releases/tearfund-announces-new-ceo

1. Tearfund Press Release - “New Chair of the Board announced at Tearfund”. https://www.tearfund.org/en/media/press_releases/new_chair_of_the_board_announced_at_tearfund/

1. Civil Society News - “Record year for Tearfund income despite restructure spend”. https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/record-year-for-tearfund-income-despite-restructure-spend.html

1. Charity Commission - TEARFUND Registration Number 265464. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=265464

1. Tearfund - “Our History”. https://www.tearfund.org/about-us/our-vision-and-values/our-story

1. Wikipedia - Tearfund. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tearfund

1. Tearfund Official Website - Where Your Money Goes. https://www.tearfund.org/get-involved/donate/where-your-money-goes

1. Tearfund Annual Report 2023/24. https://www.tearfund.org/-/media/tearfund/files/about-us/our-impact/annual-reports/annual-report-23_24-web-version.pdf

1. Third Sector - “Restructure cost development charity more than £1.6m last year, accounts show”. https://www.thirdsector.co.uk/restructure-cost-development-charity-16m-last-year-accounts-show/management/article/1898518