What Encephalitis International does

Encephalitis International is a UK-registered non-profit charitable organization (Company Limited by Guarantee; Charity No. 1087843, also registered in Scotland SC048210) headquartered in Malton, England. It is the only global charity focused exclusively on encephalitis, a brain inflammation condition that is diagnosed in approximately one person every 20 seconds worldwide and kills up to 40% of those affected, yet is unknown to 77% of the public. The organization was rebranded from the Encephalitis Society to Encephalitis International on World Encephalitis Day 2024 to reflect its expanded global scope. Core products and services include a free helpline and email support, online peer support groups, a one-to-one Connection Scheme, the Encephalitis Support Forum on Health Unlocked, a multilingual library of booklets/factsheets/animations, the Encephalitis Podcast, Global Training Modules for clinicians, an annual Encephalitis Conference (515 attendees from 71 countries in 2025), and seed research grants. The flagship awareness initiative is World Encephalitis Day (February 22), launched in 2014, which now reaches 225 million people directly via the #Red4WED movement, 240+ landmark light-ups across 29 countries, billboard placements at Piccadilly Circus and Times Square, and earned media in BBC and other major outlets. The 2026 campaign introduces the F.L.A.M.E.S. acronym for symptom recognition.

The business model is a diversified charity funding stack: individual donations and regular giving (primary), legacy/in-memory gifts, merchandise sales (£1.50 pens to £15 running vests), grants from UK/international trusts and foundations (e.g., National Lottery Community Fund, MCF Foundation, UAP Limited), and corporate/pharmaceutical partnerships including Visionary-tier deals with Valneva and argenx, and financial grants from Pfizer Ltd, Amgen, UCB, EUROIMMUN, Sanofi Pasteur UK, and Bavarian Nordic. US-donor routing is enabled through Chapel & York US Foundation (Named Fund). All patient-facing services — helpline, peer support, information resources, professional membership — are provided free of charge. The organization serves four interlocking segments: encephalitis survivors and patients (primary), families and carers (primary), healthcare professionals (neurologists, ER clinicians, nurses), and the general public for awareness; a secondary audience comprises researchers and academics receiving seed funding and Patient and Public Involvement support. Strategic priorities, including the WHO Technical Brief publication in 2025 and the Changemakers Initiative launched in 2021, are oriented toward equitable diagnosis and treatment worldwide under the leadership of CEO Dr Ava Easton (MBE).

Name

Encephalitis International

Legal name

Encephalitis International

Website

https://encephalitis.info

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Encephalitis International is a UK-registered global non-profit (formerly Encephalitis Society, rebranded 2024) dedicated to encephalitis, a brain inflammation condition diagnosed every 20 seconds. It delivers free patient support, healthcare professional training, research grants, and the annual World Encephalitis Day campaign reaching 225 million people since 2014.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Malton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Primary revenue stream through individual donations, regular giving programs, legacy gifts (gift in will), in-memory giving, and various fundraising activities organized by supporters. The organization runs targeted fundraising campaigns including the annual World Encephalitis Day Appeal and Children's Appeal.
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including t-shirts, running vests, books, help cards, and educational resources through the organization's online shop. Products range from £1.50 (pens) to £15 (running vests) with free delivery for UK fundraisers.
3. Trust and Foundation Grants: Support from UK, USA, and international trusts and foundations including UAP Limited, MCF Foundation, National Lottery Community Fund, and others for specific projects and programs.
4. Corporate Partnerships: Financial and in-kind support from pharmaceutical companies and corporations including Pfizer Ltd (grants), Amgen (grants), Valneva (Visionary Partner), argenx (Visionary Partner), and others through campaign partnerships and sponsorship.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Encephalitis International is a UK-registered non-profit charitable organisation that delivers support, information, and advocacy services for people affected by encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), their families and caregivers, and the healthcare professionals who treat them. Its core activities include patient and family support, a free professional membership programme, awareness campaigns led by World Encephalitis Day, and the distribution of educational leaflets and resources.

Product overview

Encephalitis International is a non-profit organization (formerly Encephalitis Society, rebranded in 2024) providing support, information, and advocacy for people affected by encephalitis globally. The organization offers a comprehensive suite of services including a helpline and support services, online peer support groups, the Connection Scheme for one-to-one peer support, and the Encephalitis Podcast for educational content. Their flagship annual initiative is the World Encephalitis Day Campaign (February 22nd) featuring the F.L.A.M.E.S. awareness acronym. They operate educational programs including Global Training Modules for healthcare professionals, an annual Encephalitis Conference, and maintain a Library of Resources with booklets, factsheets, and animations. The organization funds research through their Changemakers Initiative and seed funding grants, and operates a merchandise shop. Core programs include BrainWalk fundraising challenges and My Brain & Me film series. Professional membership is available for healthcare workers. All services work together to fulfill the mission of rebuilding futures by saving lives, accelerating awareness, and driving research.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Professional Membership

Quantifiable outcome

• 225 million people directly reached through World Encephalitis Day awareness campaigns since 2014
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• ValnevaflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerValneva serves as a Visionary Partner for World Encephalitis Day. The pharmaceutical company, which develops and commercializes vaccines, has provided both financial support and in-kind contributions. Their partnership includes employee participation in #Red4WED campaigns and visibility at key awareness events.
• argenxflagshipGTM or Marketing Partnerargenx is a Visionary Partner supporting World Encephalitis Day and advancing global awareness of encephalitis. As a company dedicated to the rare and complex disease community, they collaborate on initiatives that strengthen understanding of conditions like encephalitis.
• UCBcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUCB has been an Industry Pioneer Partner for World Encephalitis Day, supporting the annual campaign and awareness activities.
• EUROIMMUNcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEUROIMMUN has been an Industry Pioneer Partner for World Encephalitis Day, contributing to the annual awareness campaign.
• Bavarian NordiccoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBavarian Nordic, a vaccine company, has been a Community Partner for World Encephalitis Day and supporter of awareness activities.
• Wieslab Diagnostic ServicescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWieslab Diagnostic Services (Svar) serves as a Community Partner for World Encephalitis Day, supporting the global awareness campaign.
• Moore BarlowcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMoore Barlow, a legal firm specializing in medical negligence and brain injuries, is a Community Partner supporting World Encephalitis Day and encephalitis awareness.
• Leigh DaycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLeigh Day, a law firm handling medical negligence cases including encephalitis cases, is a Community Partner for World Encephalitis Day.
• Clarke WillmottcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerClarke Willmott, a law firm with medical negligence solicitors, is a Community Partner for World Encephalitis Day awareness activities.
• Camino CommunicationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCamino Communications is a medical communications agency that has supported Encephalitis International with creative marketing campaigns, including the 'most difficult Wordle puzzle' campaign that reached Times Square and Piccadilly Circus in 2025. They designed all F.L.A.M.E.S. assets.
• Billboard Partners (Lamar, JC Decaux, IDS Media, Sports City Advertising, Landsec)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerVarious advertising companies have gifted billboard space for World Encephalitis Day campaigns, including Lamar, JC Decaux, IDS Media, Sports City Advertising, and Landsec (Piccadilly Lights).
• World Health Organization (WHO)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerEncephalitis International has been working closely with the WHO following a 27,000-signature petition presented on World Encephalitis Day 2020. This collaboration led to the WHO publishing a Technical Brief on encephalitis on World Encephalitis Day 2025, engaging policymakers and public health officials globally.
• Mayo CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMayo Clinic supported the World Encephalitis Day Alliance Conference in Jacksonville, Florida, hosting the three-day event featuring healthcare professionals and encephalitis survivors.
• Killik & CominorGTM or Marketing PartnerKillik & Co hosted Changemakers events as part of the initiative's ongoing engagement with supporters and stakeholders.
• The House of LordsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe House of Lords hosted Changemakers events, providing a prestigious venue for engagement with dedicated supporters and stakeholders.
• The Academy of Medical SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Academy of Medical Sciences hosted Changemakers events, supporting the initiative's mission to improve global encephalitis healthcare.
• Royal College of PhysicianscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Changemakers initiative was launched at the Royal College of Physicians, London. The RCP also hosts the annual Encephalitis Conference in December.
• Department of Premier and Cabinet of Western AustraliaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThis government department supported the lighting up of 17 landmarks in Perth and organized gatherings outside Optus Stadium for World Encephalitis Day awareness.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Mind: A leading UK mental health charity. Comparable in addressing the post-acute psychological and cognitive after-effects experienced by encephalitis survivors and families, and in running a national helpline and peer-support infrastructure, though it operates across a much wider mental health remit.

Direct peers

• Stroke Association: A UK charity supporting stroke survivors and families with information, peer connection, and research funding. Comparable in addressing acquired brain injury with rehabilitation, family/carer support, and prevention awareness.
• Parkinson's UK: A UK charity supporting people with Parkinson's disease through information, peer networks, advocacy, and research funding — comparable in offering a helpline, regional events, professional resources, and dedicated research grants for a single neurological condition.
• Epilepsy Action: A UK charity providing information, support and advocacy for people affected by epilepsy. Comparable in operating a helpline, peer support, professional training, awareness campaigns, and research funding for a single neurological condition.
• Alzheimer's Research UK: A UK charity funding research and raising awareness for a specific neurological condition (dementia). Comparable in its research-grant portfolio, professional conference programming, and donor-engagement model.
• The National Brain Appeal: A UK charity raising funds for the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery — directly comparable as a brain-focused non-profit that already partners with Encephalitis International on therapy-room funding at the same hospital.
• Meningitis Research Foundation: A UK-based charity dedicated to meningitis awareness, support and research — a closely related neurological infection condition with overlapping patient populations, similar helpline/support services model, and shared vaccination-policy advocacy pathway.
• Multiple Sclerosis Society: A major UK neurological disease charity offering peer support, professional education, research grants, and high-profile awareness campaigns — structurally analogous to Encephalitis International's patient-and-professional dual model.

Broad incumbents

• Cancer Research UK: The UK's largest cancer research and awareness charity. Comparable as a broad incumbent with a national awareness day model, professional conference, mass fundraising, and high-level policy engagement, though at much larger scale and across many cancer types.
• British Heart Foundation: A large UK health charity running mass-awareness fundraising, research grants, and retail operations. Comparable as a broad incumbent operating similar functions (mass fundraising, charity shops, research grants) but at much greater scale and across multiple conditions.

Market position

Strengths2 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/encephalitis
• Facebookfacebook.com/encephalitisinternational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/encephalitisinternational

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Encephalitis International