Kate Farrer Foundation

The Kate Farrer Foundation, established in 2014 by the family of Dr Kate Farrer—a paediatrician renowned for her generosity—honours her legacy through volunteer-led grants that embody kindness, practical help, and the guiding question, “What would Kate do?” Governed by trustees meeting quarterly with no paid staff, it directs all funds to tangible projects advancing four core aims: relieving poverty (especially self-sufficiency initiatives), education, health/sickness relief, and aid for war/disaster victims. Its values-driven, relational approach prioritises overlooked small charities and grassroots efforts in medical and social welfare, particularly maternal, neonatal, and paediatric care, healthcare access, and education for marginalised children.

It funds practical interventions like neonatal scholarships (UK), clubfoot treatment (Malawi), maternity health for refugees (Uganda/Sudan), midwifery/earthquake relief (Syria), safe motherhood (India), school uniforms/handwashing (India/Tanzania), and disability support (UK), with a global focus on low-resource settings (e.g., Cambodia, Guatemala, Nepal) but openness to UK projects. Beneficiaries include women, children, and communities facing poverty, disability, health inequality, or crises, favouring projects building lasting self-sufficiency over large-scale or capital builds.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities (unsolicited welcome, no income thresholds but preference for smaller organisations); geography unrestricted, though low-resource international sites dominate. Apply via email (info@katefarrer.org) with a brief project outline—no formal forms or deadlines, rolling basis with decisions at quarterly meetings (~3-4 months). Typical grants: £1,000–£10,000 for project/core costs, occasionally emergencies. Distinctives include its personal ethos, simplicity, transparency, and passion for high-impact modest investments in vulnerable groups, eschewing bureaucracy for trustee discretion.