about us
faqs
Frequently Asked Questions
1.There are lots of similar charities around, what is different about MRDF?
2. Is MRDF part of the Methodist Church?
3. What is the difference between MRDF and the World Church Office?
4. Does MRDF send volunteers overseas?
5. How do you know the money gets to those that need it?
6. Can my church support a specific project or partner?
7. Can I leave a legacy to MRDF?
8. How does MRDF choose which projects to support?
9. What percentage of the money that MRDF receives is spent directly on development and relief?
10. What did MRDF do in response to the Tsunami?
11. Why does MRDF work in some countries but not others?
1. There are lots of similar charities around, what is different about the Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF)?
We believe in the impact of small scale change. MRDF targets resources where the need is greatest by supporting projects based in the poorest countries, those low down on the UN Human Development Index. We also support and build up partner organisations who may be too small to access other funding, but who are working with the most disadvantaged members of their communities.
We respond to emergencies through local partners, Methodist churches and Action by Churches Together. Much of MRDF's humanitarian aid goes disasters which are not featured in the media, so-called 'forgotten emergencies'.
We also work in coalition with other similar charities on particular issues through the Trade Justice Movement, Jubilee Debt Campaign and others.
2. Is MRDF part of the Methodist Church?
MRDF is an independent charity rooted in the Methodist Church in Britain. Its work goes back to 1945, but MRDF has existed in its current form, as a registered charity, since 1985. Find out more about the history of MRDF and about MRDF's 21st birthday in 2006.
MRDF works with Methodist Churches overseas when possible. In recent years approximately 10% of MRDF projects have been carried out by Methodist Churches.
MRDF works with marginalised people on the basis of their need and not their religion or belief.
We have a natural link with Methodist Churches in the UK and produce materials especially to help them engage with global issues. MRDF works closely with other parts of the Church, such as the World Church office, MAYC World Action and Mission Education, but is separate from them. You do not have to be a Methodist to support the work that MRDF does.
3. What is the difference between MRDF and the World Church Office?
MRDF is an independent charity with its roots in the Methodist Church of Britain. It makes small miracles possible for the most vulnerable people living in the world’s poorest communities through: long-term development; emergency relief and campaigning against the causes of poverty. MRDF works through 60 local partner organisations (local NGOs, CBOs and Methodist Churches) enabling the most marginalised communities to achieve their own long-lasting devleopment through small-scale local community development projects.
On behalf of the Methodist Church of Britain, the World Church Office (WCO) has links with partner Methodist Churches throughout the world. The WCO works with 61 partner churches around the world engaging in mission focussed projects and other initiatives using grants from the Fund for World Mission (FWM).
Although MRDF and the WCO are separate organisations, have separate finances and support different projects, sometimes we work together to ensure that funds are channeled to the most appropriate place. An example of this was at the time of the Tsunami when funds received from supporters were distributed to both MRDF partners and to Methodist Churches in the affected areas.
4. Does MRDF send volunteers overseas?
MRDF works through local partner organisations, who know best how to meet the needs of their own communities. We do not have staff based overseas or overseas volunteer placements.
However, we welcome computer literate volunteers in our London office for administrative or translation work and rely heavily on informed and enthusiastic volunteers to spread the word about MRDF in churches and local groups around the UK. Find out about volunteering with MRDF.
Many other organisations, including the World Church Office Experience Exchange programme, do send volunteers overseas.
5. How do you know the money gets to those that need it?
Programme Officers evaluate all project proposals according to a range of criteria. Partner organisations send regular reports measuring the progress against the aims and objectives, and MRDF staff make project visits and keep in regular contact with partners. Administration costs are kept to a minimum. Full breakdown of income and costs.
6. Can my Church support a specific project or partner?
Yes. We hope people will want to find out about MRDF partners and learn about life in developing countries. Find out more about the Partner a Project scheme.
Donations which are not designated for a specific project enable us to respond wherever the need is greatest, but we welcome money for specific countries or partners as well. If you intend to send in a donation or fundraise for a specific project or country, please check with the MRDF office first. MRDF cannot channel money to organisations which are not MRDF partners or to countries where there are no MRDF partners.
7. How can I leave a legacy to MRDF?
We are very grateful to those who choose to remember MRDF in their wills. Over 25% of our income last year came from legacy giving. Further information on leaving a legacy.
8. How do you choose which projects to support?
MRDF Programme Officers receive applications from local organisations and Methodist Churches and these are assessed according to a detailed set of criteria. Following the Wesleyan example of going not to those that need you but those that need you most, projects focus on the poorest countries and among the most marginalised groups within those countries, ensuring that they participate in the planning and management of the project.
Although MRDF has some larger, longer-term 'core partners', most MRDF partners are small organisations. ‘New partners’ receive funding for one year and they are then assessed by the Programmes team to see whether they could become ‘regular partners’. ‘Regular partners’ receive funding for an average of three years or sometimes longer.
MRDF supports a wide range of projects such as agricultural training and animal husbandry, community health including HIV/AIDS prevention and care, women's rights, education and literacy and income generating activities. Find out more about applying to be an MRDF partner.
9. What percentage of the money that MRDF receives is spent directly on development and relief?
In 2005-06, MRDF expenditure was spent in these areas:
- 83% on grants to UK and overseas partners (including development, humanitarian aid and development education)
- 4% on education and advocacy in the UK
- 9% on support costs, including monitoring and evaluation
- 2% on fundraising and publicity
- 2% on governance.
More information on how MRDF spends your donations.
10. What did MRDF do in response to the tsunami?
MRDF responded immediately when the tsunami hit. We channelled emergency aid through local partners in South India, the Methodist Church in Sri Lanka and through the Action by Churches Together alliance. Donations from Methodist churches and individuals, Comic Relief and the World Relief and Development Committee of the Methodist Church in Ireland raised £1.4 million. This was the biggest ever response to an MRDF emergency appeal. MRDF is continuing to work hard to spend this money wisely, and therefore is not asking for any more donations for tsunami-related work.
In the first few weeks, MRDF partners provided emergency relief, including food, water and clothing, to families that had lost everything. MRDF continues to support these communities through the difficult process of rebuilding lives, homes and livelihoods.
MRDF partners work in co-operation with local government and other agencies and are currently involved in house-building, skills training and other development work to enable communities to become self-sufficient again.
11. Why does MRDF work in some countries, but not others?
MRDF seeks to work with the most marginalised communities in the poorest countries in the world. However, for practical reasons we need to have a programme strategy and are therefore not able to work in every country where there is poverty.
For example, MRDF doesn’t currently have partners in South Africa: while we recognise that there is poverty in South Africa, we also know that the country has much greater access to wealth than the other Southern Africa countries where MRDF does work, such as Mozambique, Zambia and Malawi. MRDF also does not fund longer-term development work in countries that are considered to be insecure through conflict or in a state of political unrest (and therefore are difficult to monitor).
The country list is regularly reviewed as situations change. All countries can receive humanitarian aid grants. See where MRDF works or view the current international grants guidelines and criteria.
