Leprosy Relief Canada

About Leprosy Relief Canada:

Founded in 1961, Leprosy Relief Canada (LRC) is based in Montreal, Quebec and fights leprosy and tuberculosis in developing countries and brings awareness to Canadians on these diseases. Leprosy, which is LRC’s focus, is a highly contagious disease that causes body disfiguration and stigmatism, but is treatable. Leprosy Relief Canada estimates that 230,000 new cases of leprosy arise across the world annually and at least 3 million people suffer from permanent disabilities from leprosy. Tuberculosis is an airborne, infectious disease that is curable. LRC reports that there are roughly 9 million new cases and more than 1.5 million deaths due to this disease every year. LRC has projects in Asia, Central and South America, and Africa. Within each project, it works toward at least one of its three main goals: eliminating disabilities due to leprosy, stopping the transmission of leprosy, and eliminating discriminatory leprosy laws and practices. LRC has shifted from operating small projects to supporting larger programs in partnership with other members of the International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Organizations (ILEP).

In F2017, Leprosy Relief Canada spent $1.3m on programs. LRC set a budget of $1.1m to fund 35 projects across 16 countries in F2017. Asian projects were 37% of the budget toward 16 projects in 4 countries, Central and South American projects were 29% toward 11 projects in 6 countries, and African projects were 24% toward 8 projects in 6 countries. The countries with the greatest budget allocation were India (F2017: $227k toward 11 projects) and Dominican Republic (F2017: $190k toward 6 projects). Projects included raising awareness to eliminate discrimination against people with leprosy, promoting social inclusion of those affected, providing food and care to poor people suffering from tuberculosis and malnutrition, conducting medical examinations in schools to diagnose people with leprosy for early detection and to prevent spreading, training local health teams to stop leprosy transmission, providing treatment and follow-up for leprosy and tuberculosis, providing ways to prevent disabilities for those with leprosy, performing reconstructive surgery to improve functionality, and providing disability care services. LRC allocated 8% of its F2017 budget toward research and education and 3% toward integration and dignity.

Financial Review:

Leprosy Relief Canada is a Medium-sized charity with donations of $1.3m in F2017. Administrative costs are 8% of revenues and fundraising costs are 11% of donations. For every dollar donated, 81 cents go to the cause, which falls within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.

LRC holds funding reserves of $5.6m of which $816k are held in endowments. Omitting endowed funds, LRC’s reserves can cover annual funding activities for 3.9 years.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to Leprosy Relief Canada for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on June 27, 2018 by Joeyanne Cheung.