Leprosy Relief Canada is a 3-star charity with a Good demonstrated impact. The charity has a C- Results Reporting grade, which is below average. Its overhead spending is 10%, within Ci’s reasonable range. Its reserve funds can cover six years of annual program costs, outside Ci’s reasonable limit.  

Founded in 1961, Leprosy Relief Canada (LRC) is an international aid charity that works to reduce the rate of leprosy and tuberculosis across Africa, Asia, and America. According to LRC, 182,815 new cases of leprosy have been reported to date around the world so far in 2025. It reported that 79% of new leprosy cases were in Brazil, India and Indonesia and that 6% were children. Additionally, the charity reports that four million people have disabilities due to leprosy. The charity operates 30 projects in 13 countries. 

In 2024, Africa (Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Côte D’Ivoire, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Senegal) received 35% of program spending. In Ethiopia, the charity reported that mass screening campaigns reached 1,620 households in 2024, contributing to the early detection of leprosy cases.  In Mozambique, the charity organized a debate on Community Radio to raise awareness about leprosy, with 7,000 people following the discussion and 30 listeners calling in to contribute. LRC reported that its efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo led to the diagnosis of 2,035 new cases of leprosy. 

Asia (Bangladesh, India, and Nepal) received 31% of program spending. In Nepal, Project LEAN gave basic training to 1,367 health workers to enhance their skills for case diagnosis and treatment. It stated that it organized door-to-door campaigns to 37 regions. In Bangladesh, the charity provided combined tuberculosis and leprosy services through 34 clinics, where 40,703 people were diagnosed with tuberculosis in 2024. In India, LRC screened 107,851 people newly affected by leprosy in 2023. 

America (Dominican Republic) received 14% of program spending. The charity states that it conducted 2, 210 leprosy contact exams in households, and provided 39,143 exams in schools and neighbourhoods in the Dominican Republic in 2023.  

The remaining 21% of program funding went to Research and Education. 

Leprosy Relief Canada’s audited financial statements follow activity-based costing, a best practice. LRC received $2.5m in donations and reported $305k in investment income in 2024.  

Administrative costs were $190k in 2024, which is 8% of revenue (less investment income). Fundraising costs were $58k in 2024, which is 2% of donations. For every dollar donated, 90 cents are available to go to the cause, within Ci’s reasonable range.  

LRC recorded funding reserves of $8.6m of which $816k is donor endowed. Excluding donor-endowed funds, LRC’s funding reserves can cover 615%, or just under six years and two months of annual program cost. This is outside Ci’s reasonable limit.  

Profile updated by Leah Holmes on July 28, 2025. This charity report is an updated that has been sent to the charity for review. Comments and corrections may be forthcoming.