The St Lazarus Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Registered Charity Number: 286918
• Annual Giving: £86,000-£111,000
• Decision Time: Applications by 30th September; decisions in October/November
• Grant Range: £10,000 - £30,000+ (evidence of multi-year grants)
• Geographic Focus: International (primarily India, Nepal, Africa, Myanmar, with specific focus on leprosy-endemic regions)
• Founded: 1 March 1983

Contact Details

Website: https://www.stlazaruscharitabletrust.org.uk

Grants Secretary:

Gareth Vaughan KCLJ

The St Lazarus Charitable Trust

2 The Glove Factory

Tintinhull

Yeovil

Somerset BA22 8SL

Email: ewsecretary@gmail.com

Phone: 01935 826723

Overview

The St Lazarus Charitable Trust was established under a trust deed on 1 March 1983 and registered with the Charity Commission (286918). The Trust serves as the charitable arm of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem in England and Wales. Its primary mission is to raise and distribute funds for the relief of leprosy sufferers throughout the world. The Trust works closely with established expert charities including The Leprosy Mission (TLM), LEPRA, and EMMS International on projects ranging from sponsoring student medical electives in leprosy-affected areas to supporting local initiatives in India, Nepal, and parts of Africa. The Trust predominantly funds overseas projects and has shown capacity to respond rapidly to emergency situations. Recent financial data shows total income of £86,494 and expenditure of £111,098 (year ending 31 December 2024), indicating the Trust distributes more than it receives in some years by drawing on reserves. The Trust is run entirely by volunteers with no paid staff or trustee remuneration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates with a structured annual grant-making cycle:

• Main Annual Grants: Awarded in October/November (application deadline 30th September)
• Emergency and Disaster Grants: Made at any time in response to urgent needs
• Ruth Bowden Fund: Specifically designated for grants to East European countries and former Soviet states

Recent grant examples include:

• £10,000 to The Leprosy Mission Myanmar for emergency food packs to 631 families affected by leprosy
• £30,799 (third year of multi-year funding) to The Leprosy Mission - Premananda Leprosy Hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal
• £10,000 to EMMS International for leprosy detection, care and cure in hospitals throughout Nepal
• Support to Champa Vocational Training Centre in Chhattisgarh, India
• Emergency grants to Aid to the Church in Need for support in Lebanon

Priority Areas

The Trust's charitable objects focus on:

1. Relief of persons suffering from leprosy (primary focus)
2. Relief of the aged - particularly elderly people affected by leprosy
3. Relief of victims of disaster and war - emergency response capacity
4. Advancement of the Christian faith
5. Relief of poverty and sickness
6. Relief of disabled persons

The Trust has demonstrated particular interest in:

• Vocational training for individuals affected by leprosy
• Medical electives for students in leprosy-affected areas
• Children's homes and care facilities in leprosy-endemic regions (e.g., Rainbow Children's Home, Andhra Pradesh)
• Track, trace and treat programmes for leprosy in children
• Community support for Christian communities facing hardship

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated in available documentation, the Trust:

• Predominantly funds overseas projects rather than UK-based initiatives
• Focuses on institutional grants to established charities rather than individual applications
• Appears to favour projects with clear leprosy-related components or alignment with their core charitable objects
• Does not appear to fund general operating costs unconnected to their specific charitable purposes

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Governance and Leadership

The Trust is governed by a board of seven trustees who serve without remuneration. Current trustees (as of 2025) include:

Chair: David Powell KCLJ (appointed 03 September 2025)

Trustees:

• Vincent Thomas Keaveny CBE (appointed 27 October 2025)
• David William Myott Moore (appointed 27 October 2025)
• Dr Sara Elizabeth Atkinson (appointed 27 October 2025)
• Timothy Patrick Abraham (appointed 28 October 2022)
• Dr David Knox (appointed 28 September 2021)
• Ivar Andreas Robert John Grey (appointed 06 June 2019)

Key Officers:

• Grants Secretary: Gareth Vaughan KCLJ
• Honorary Treasurer: Jonathan Prichard KCLJ
• Clerk to the Trustees: Val Hiscock DCLJ

Consultants (who advise on grant decisions):

• Dr Michael F.R. Waters (Former Hospitaller)
• Prof. Robert Ashford (Current Hospitaller)
• Rev. Fr. Alan Gyle (Almoner)

Trustees are initially elected for three years and can be re-elected for a further three-year term, but must retire after six years. The Trust operates with six volunteers and no employees earning over £60,000.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted using a specific Pro-Forma application form available from the Grants Secretary. This requirement applies to all first-time applicants; organizations that have previously received grants from the Trust may have different application procedures.

To obtain the application form, contact:

The Grants Secretary at ewsecretary@gmail.com or write to the address in Somerset.

Applications must be in writing and submitted to the Grants Secretary at the address provided above.

Decision Timeline

The Trust operates on a structured decision-making calendar:

Regular Grant Cycle:

• Application Deadline: 30th September
• Trustee Meetings: Twice annually in April and October
• Main Grant Decisions: October meeting (where the vast majority of grants are made)
• Grant Awards: October/November

Emergency Grants:

• Can be made at any time in response to disasters or urgent humanitarian needs
• Recent example: £10,000 to Myanmar in November 2024 in response to emergency request

Trustees meet twice annually and receive advice from their specialist consultants when making grant decisions. Grants are made “to such institutions and authorities and in a manner as the trustees think fit.”

Success Rates

Specific success rate statistics are not publicly available. However, the Trust's model of working closely with established partner organizations (TLM, LEPRA, EMMS International) suggests they may favor applications from known entities or organizations with strong track records in leprosy relief work.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is documented in publicly available materials. Organizations interested in reapplying after an unsuccessful application should contact the Grants Secretary for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's documented priorities and recent grant awards, successful applications are likely to demonstrate:

1. Clear Leprosy Focus: The Trust's primary purpose is leprosy relief. Projects should demonstrate direct impact on leprosy sufferers, whether through medical treatment, vocational training, housing, or community support.

1. Alignment with Partner Organizations: The Trust works closely with The Leprosy Mission, LEPRA, and EMMS International. Applications from these organizations or projects delivered in partnership with them appear well-positioned.

1. Geographic Priority: Strong evidence of funding to India, Nepal, Myanmar, and parts of Africa. The Ruth Bowden Fund specifically supports East European countries and former Soviet states.

1. Multi-Year Project Potential: Recent grants show the Trust's willingness to commit multi-year funding (e.g., three-year grant of £30,799+ to Premananda Hospital).

1. Emergency Response Capacity: When disasters affect leprosy-affected communities, the Trust can respond quickly outside normal grant cycles.

1. Christian Values: As the charitable arm of a religious order, projects that align with Christian charitable principles or support Christian communities may be favorably viewed.

1. Track Record: The application process distinguishes between first-time applicants (who must use the Pro-Forma) and previous grantees, suggesting established relationships are valued.

1. Holistic Approach: Recent grants support not just medical treatment but vocational training, children's welfare, elderly care, and food security for leprosy-affected families.

1. Expert Consultation: The Trust's use of specialist medical consultants (including a former and current Hospitaller) suggests technical quality and medical credibility are important evaluation factors.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Submit by 30th September for consideration at the October decision meeting when most grants are awarded
• Focus applications on leprosy relief as this is the Trust's primary charitable purpose
• Obtain and complete the required Pro-Forma - applications not on this form may not be considered
• Consider partnership approaches with The Leprosy Mission, LEPRA, or EMMS International if possible
• Target geographic regions where the Trust has demonstrated prior engagement: India, Nepal, Myanmar, Africa, East Europe
• Emergency grants are possible outside the normal cycle for disaster response affecting leprosy-affected communities
• Multi-year funding is available - don't limit requests to single-year projects if a longer commitment would increase impact
• Establish relationships early - the Trust's model suggests they value ongoing partnerships with trusted organizations

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Rest-Harrow Trust
• The Archer Trust
• THE MAURICE AND HILDA LAING CHARITABLE TRUST
• Forest Hill Charitable Trust
• Duke of Devonshire's Charitable Trust
• GRACE CHARITABLE TRUST
• The Kirby Laing Foundation
• Highway One Trust
• THE MISS J K STIRRUP CHARITY TRUST
• The Blyth Watson Charitable Trust

References

1. UK Charity Commission Register - Charity Overview, The St Lazarus Charitable Trust (286918). Accessed: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/286918

1. The St Lazarus Charitable Trust Official Website. Accessed: https://www.stlazaruscharitabletrust.org.uk

1. The St Lazarus Charitable Trust - Who's Who (Trustees and Officers). Accessed: https://www.stlazaruscharitabletrust.org.uk/content/whos-who

1. The St Lazarus Charitable Trust - Current Articles (Recent Grant Awards). Accessed: https://www.stlazaruscharitabletrust.org.uk/content/current-articles

1. UK Charity Commission - Trustees, The St Lazarus Charitable Trust. Accessed: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/286918/trustees

1. The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem - St Lazarus Charitable Trust. Accessed: https://www.st-lazarus.org.uk/content/st-lazarus-charitable-trust

1. Bath and North East Somerset Council - The St Lazarus Charitable Trust. Accessed: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/node/90053

All sources accessed: January 2026