The END Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £3,793,965 (UK entity); $64+ million globally (2025 projected)
• Geographic Focus: Global, with focus on Africa and Asia
• Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed; varies by programme and country
• Application Process: No public application process - invitation/partnership-based
• Organisation Type: Intermediary philanthropic fund supporting NTD programmes

Contact Details

UK Registration

• Charity Number: 1122574
• Address: 495 Green Lanes, Palmers Green, London, N13 4BS

Global Headquarters

• Address: 2 Park Avenue, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10016, USA
• Phone: +1 646-690-9775
• Email: info@end.org
• Website: https://endfund.org

Partnership Inquiries

• Contact: Bridie Layden
• Email: blayden@end.org

Overview

The END Fund, registered as UK charity 1122574 in 2007, is a leading collaborative philanthropic initiative dedicated to controlling and eliminating six neglected tropical diseases (NTDs): river blindness, lymphatic filariasis, trachoma, schistosomiasis, intestinal worms, and visceral leishmaniasis. The charity delivers its aims primarily through grant-making to implementing partner organisations working in NTD-endemic countries.

Since 2012, The END Fund has facilitated nearly $500 million in funding from over 7,000 donors across 68 countries, achieving remarkable impact: 2.12 billion treatments delivered, 152 million people treated in 2024 alone, and 7.47 million health workers trained. The organisation operates with offices in London, New York, and Nairobi, led by CEO Dr. Solomon Zewdu and governed by a board chaired by Tsitsi Masiyiwa. The END Fund treats people through collaborative coalitions with governments, local nonprofits, pharmaceutical partners, and academic institutions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

The END Fund manages four distinct investment funds, with programmatic investments projected to exceed $64 million in 2025:

The Flagship Fund: The cornerstone NTD fund supporting mass drug administration campaigns, surgeries to prevent blindness and disability, health worker training, and prevention education across multiple countries. This fund addresses all six target diseases with a focus on sustainable, long-term elimination strategies.

Deworming Innovation Fund: Launched in 2020, this fund pilots innovative techniques to combat parasitic worm infections in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe, where 80 million people remain at risk. The fund targets 40 million children affected by intestinal worms and schistosomiasis.

Reaching the Last Mile Fund: Expanded to 39 countries in collaboration with Sightsavers and the Carter Center, this programme focuses on reaching populations in remote or underserved areas with NTD treatments.

ARISE Fund: The ARISE Fund (Accelerate, Resilient, Innovative, and Sustainable Elimination) invests in five countries—Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, and Senegal—to develop resource mobilisation strategies and strengthen the leadership and capacity of decision makers who represent communities affected by neglected tropical diseases. The fund employs a philosophy of co-financing programmes with governments to integrate NTD programme delivery within existing health systems. Anchor funding has been committed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), and The ELMA Foundation.

Priority Areas

• Geographic Priority: Sub-Saharan Africa receives the largest share of funding. Through 2019, Ethiopia received $17.4 million, Angola $10.3 million, DRC $9.6 million, and Nigeria $9.1 million from a total of $91.9 million disbursed
• Disease Focus: River blindness, lymphatic filariasis, trachoma, schistosomiasis, intestinal worms, and visceral leishmaniasis
• Implementation Approach: Mass drug administration campaigns, surgical interventions, health worker capacity building, prevention education, and sustainable programme design
• Target Populations: The world's most impoverished communities, particularly children in NTD-endemic regions

Who They Fund

The END Fund partners with and provides grants to:

• International health NGOs (Sightsavers, Helen Keller International, the Carter Center, CBM, Amref)
• Specialised implementing partners (SCI Foundation, Deworm the World Initiative, MENTOR Initiative, Amani Global Works)
• Government health ministries in endemic countries (Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, and others)
• Research institutions (Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine)
• Community health organisations (Last Mile Health)

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, The END Fund does not fund:

• Organisations or projects outside the neglected tropical disease space
• Programmes not focused on their six target diseases
• Individual medical treatments or patient support
• Research without clear implementation pathways
• Organisations without demonstrated capacity to deliver NTD programmes at scale

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Governance and Leadership

Leadership

• CEO: Dr. Solomon Zewdu (from 1 January 2025)
• Board Chair: Tsitsi Masiyiwa
• Board Size: 7 members (US Board of Directors)
• UK Trustees: 6 trustees (per Charity Commission)

Governance Notes: No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. The charity's reporting is up to date with the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

How to Apply to The End Fund

How to Apply

The END Fund does not have a public application process. Organisations cannot submit unsolicited grant applications through a portal or standardised form. Instead, The END Fund operates as a strategic intermediary that:

1. Proactively identifies gaps and opportunities in NTD programmes globally
2. Builds coalitions with stakeholders across the global NTD community
3. Selects implementing partners based on strategic needs and programme opportunities
4. Works with chosen partners to design programmes and provide grants, technical support, and capacity building

The END Fund describes their approach as “identifying gaps and opportunities, building coalitions, supporting the design of programmes with implementing partner NGOs, strengthening capacity, and managing grants and providing technical support.”

Getting on Their Radar

Engagement in the NTD Community: The END Fund finds funding opportunities by remaining actively involved in the NTD community, attending regional meetings, and meeting with ministries of health. Organisations working in NTD treatment should:

• Participate in global and regional NTD conferences and working groups
• Engage with WHO's NTD programme and regional offices
• Demonstrate strong relationships with ministries of health in endemic countries
• Build a track record of successful NTD programme implementation at scale

Direct Outreach: Organisations with relevant expertise in NTD treatment delivery may contact:

• General inquiries: info@end.org
• Partnership inquiries: Bridie Layden at blayden@end.org
• Phone: +1 646-690-9775

When reaching out, organisations should demonstrate:

• Proven capacity to deliver NTD treatments at scale
• Strong on-the-ground presence in endemic countries
• Established relationships with government health ministries
• Technical expertise in mass drug administration, surgical interventions, or health worker training
• Ability to contribute to sustainable, long-term disease elimination goals

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded through strategic partnership development rather than application cycles.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no open application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since The END Fund does not accept unsolicited applications, success in partnering with them depends on:

Demonstrated Implementation Capacity: The END Fund partners with organisations that have proven ability to deliver NTD programmes at scale. Examples of current implementing partners include SCI Foundation, Deworm the World Initiative, Sightsavers, the Carter Center, MENTOR Initiative, and Amani Global Works - all organisations with extensive field experience and technical expertise.

Strategic Alignment with Geographic Priorities: The END Fund focuses on countries with significant NTD burden, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Organisations working in Ethiopia, Angola, DRC, Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and other endemic countries are most likely to align with funding priorities.

Government Partnership Capability: The END Fund's approach emphasises supporting national disease programmes and working collaboratively with government health ministries. Organisations must demonstrate strong relationships and partnership capacity with government stakeholders.

Collaborative Approach: The END Fund values organisations that can work within coalitions and partnerships. Their model emphasises “facilitating strong partnerships with the private sector, government partners, and local implementing partners.”

Integration and Innovation: The Deworming Innovation Fund specifically seeks partners piloting innovative techniques to accelerate progress toward disease elimination, suggesting the organisation values evidence-based innovation alongside proven implementation approaches.

Sustainability Focus: Programmes must demonstrate approaches to sustainability, including health worker training, community education on prevention, and capacity building that ensures long-term impact beyond the grant period.

Local Knowledge and Presence: The END Fund emphasises directing “resources through local partners, who know the landscape and can go where others cannot or will not,” indicating preference for organisations with deep local knowledge and access.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Not Open Application: The END Fund does not accept unsolicited grant applications; they identify and approach implementing partners based on strategic needs and opportunities in the global NTD landscape
• Intermediary Model: This is a pooled philanthropic fund that raises money from donors and strategically deploys it through carefully selected implementing partners - it is not a traditional grant-maker with an open application process
• Partnership Focus: Success depends on being visible and active in the NTD community, attending regional meetings, and building relationships with both The END Fund team and ministries of health in endemic countries
• Scale and Expertise Required: Implementing partners must demonstrate proven capacity to deliver NTD programmes at scale, with technical expertise in mass drug administration, surgical interventions, or health worker training
• Geographic Priority: Sub-Saharan Africa receives the largest share of funding, with particular focus on countries like Ethiopia, Angola, DRC, Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe
• Government Relationships Essential: Organisations must show strong collaborative relationships with government health ministries and ability to support national disease programmes
• Contact for Exploration: Organisations with relevant expertise should contact Bridie Layden (blayden@end.org) or the general info line (info@end.org) to explore potential partnership opportunities, emphasising demonstrated implementation capacity and strategic alignment

Similar Funders

These funders frequently fund the same charities:

• Regions Beyond Uk

References

• The Charity Commission for England and Wales Register - Charity Details for The END Fund (1122574).. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1122574&subId=0
• The END Fund Official Website - Home Page.. https://endfund.org/
• The END Fund - END Fund Partners.. https://endfund.org/end-fund-partners/
• The END Fund - 2023 Annual Report.. https://the-end-fund.shorthandstories.com/2023-annual-report/index.html
• The END Fund - Deworming Innovation Fund.. https://end.org/deworming-innovation-fund/
• The END Fund - The Flagship Fund.. https://endfund.org/the-flagship-fund/
• The END Fund - The ARISE Fund.. https://endfund.org/the-arise-fund/
• GiveWell - The END Fund's Deworming Program (November 2020 version).. https://www.givewell.org/charities/end-fund/November-2020-version
• Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors - Case Study: The END Fund.. https://www.rockpa.org/case-study-the-end-fund/
• Devex - The END Fund Organisation Profile.. https://www.devex.com/organisations/the-end-fund-54275
• GuideStar Profile - END FUND INC (27-3941186).. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/27-3941186