Established in 2012, the Global Fund for Forgotten People embodies the Order of Malta’s ethos of caring for those who need it most, whoever and wherever they are.
Who are the Forgotten People?
One person is forcefully displaced from their home every two seconds.
15% of the world’s population lives with a disability.
More than one billion people worldwide are affected by neglected tropical diseases like leprosy and sleeping sickness.
Our projects care for the people who need it most: the persecuted, the elderly, the homeless, abandoned and disabled children, refugees, people with diseases that most of us think have been cured long ago. These people do not grab the headlines, and may not be priorities for government institutions. They have no recourse, no support network, and no resources. They are the Forgotten.
Many of these people face a host of challenges by nature of their circumstances, and can be left lonely, isolated and hopeless. We work to restore their dignity and alleviate suffering wherever it exists, with a particular focus on the following groups:
People with Neglected Diseases
The Elderly
Prisoners and their Families
Children and Adults with Disabilities
The Homeless
Displaced People
Mothers and New-Borns without Healthcare
Marginalised Communities
What does the Global Fund for Forgotten People do?
The Fund raises money from private donors and charitable foundations, and uses these funds to support projects that benefit the most disadvantaged in society. To date we have made over 500 grants in support of Forgotten People. Find out more about the projects we fund and how eligible organisations can apply for a grant.
The Fund promotes best practice and knowledge-sharing between Order of Malta projects around the world, and raises awareness of the challenges facing poor and marginalised communities. We provide funding to develop new projects, and we support existing projects to increase their scale and access other sources of funding.
In order to do all of this, a percentage of donations goes towards the Fund’s own activities. We strive to keep costs as low as possible, and currently that figure stands at 10%.
The Fund operates as two separate and independent legal entities. In England and Wales it is a registered charity (1148427) and in the US it has 501(c)(3) status.
What is the Order of Malta?
The Order of Malta is a unique institution. A religious lay order of the Catholic Church, it is also a sovereign subject of international law, with its own head of state. It maintains bilateral diplomatic relations with more than 100 countries, and has permanent observer missions to the United Nations and numerous UN agencies and other international bodies. Its sovereignty and diplomatic network are vital to the success of its humanitarian mission.
The Order carries out works in 120 countries worldwide, caring for those who need it most. It provides emergency humanitarian relief in disaster zones, essential services such as ambulances and care homes in partnership with national governments, and projects that respond to specific local needs for those who would otherwise be forgotten.
You can learn more about the Order on its official website here.
Our Team
| Title | Name | Email Address |
|---|---|---|
| Member in Charge / Chief Executive (Voluntary Position) | Justin Simpson | [email protected] |
| Chief Financial Officer | Thomas Acland | [email protected] |
| Grants Manager | Ruth Stanley | [email protected] |
| Finance and Operations Assistant | Laura Steinhoffel | [email protected] |
| Communications Officer | Poppy Gill | [email protected] |
| Fundraising Operations Officer | Jocelyn Phimister | [email protected] |
If you’re interested in working or volunteering with the Fund, find out more here.
UK Trustees and US Directors
UK Trustees
Richard Fitzalan Howard (Chair)
Albrecht Boeselager
Winfried Henckel von Donnersmarck
Dominique de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel
Lisa Simpson
US Directors
Michele Bowe (Chair)
Dennis Mulhaupt
Désirée Jebsen
Paul Beresford-Hill
Manfred Mautner von Markhof
Reports and Financials
You can view our recent reports, accounts and 990 below.
2017 Audited Annual Report and Financial Statements (UK) / IRS Form 990 (US)
2018 Audited Annual Report and Financial Statements (UK) / IRS Form 990 (US)
2019 Audited Annual Report and Financial Statements (UK) / IRS Form 990 (US)
2020 Audited Annual Report and Financial Statements (UK) / IRS Form 990 (US)
2021 Combined Financial Results / Audited Annual Report and Financial Statements (UK ) /IRS Form 990 (US)
Vision 2050 – the Order’s global youth volunteering platform
Supporting the Priories, Associations and Relief Services of the Order, Vision 2050 invites young people to enter the world of volunteering and become part of the Order of Malta’s extended family.
Vision 2050 helps retain active young members in the world of the Order by introducing them to international volunteering opportunities. It supports the youth of the Order in establishing new projects and joint initiatives.
Vision 2050 provides unique opportunities for young people to volunteer together, sharing powerful experiences in service of others. These life-changing encounters build lasting friendships whilst experiencing their faith in action.
Vision 2050 is hosted by the Global Fund for Forgotten People and generously funded by private donations.
You can learn more about Vision 2050 on its official website here.
The Vision 2050 Global Youth Coordinator is Florentine Haeusgen: [email protected]