The Freemasons’ Grand Charity is funded by Freemasons

and their families, mainly through annual contributions

from Lodges, fundraising Festivals held each year in one

of the Provinces within England and Wales, donations

and legacies. The Charity is continuing a commitment to

charitable support that began nearly 300 years ago.

The primary role of The Freemasons’ Grand Charity is to help Brethren and their dependants who are in fi nancial need. Over£50 million has been given during the last thirty years.

SUPPORTING Brethren & their families in need

Supporting people in fi nancial needThe fi rst and foremost aim of the Grand Charity is to provide assistance for Freemasons and their dependants who are experiencing fi nancial hardship or need. Nationwide last year, £4.9 million

was distributed in Masonic Relief Grants to help with daily living costs and unexpected needs, assisting 1,885 people.

In the current economic climate the importance of the support the Grand Charity provides for people living in diffi cult circumstances cannot be underestimated. The work of the Grand Charity is also greatly complemented by the eff orts of local and Provincial Lodges, who dedicate a lot of time in caring for members of their community who require assistance.

Masonic Relief Grants are intended to enhance an applicant’s standard of living and every case of need is sympathetically considered.

Grants are made towards:

Essential daily living costs

Unexpected needs (e.g. funeral bills, minor repairs, or hardship faced following an accident, redundancy, or other personal crisis)

Grants can be renewed yearly for as long as the need lasts.

Marjorie Cooper’s husband of 45 years sadly passed away unexpectedly earlier this year after suff ering a fatal heart attack. Marjorie had little in the way of savings and lived on her small pension allowance and government benefi ts.

Marjorie could not aff ord to pay for the funeral costs and was extremely distressed. Fortunately, her late husband’s Lodge Almoner contacted her to see if she needed any assistance.

The Freemasons’ Grand Charity subsequently covered the costs of the funeral and also arranged for Marjorie to begin receiving an annual Masonic Relief Grant to help with her living costs.

There are thousands of people in the same situation as Marjorie who receive Masonic Relief Grants. These grants help to ease people’s minds and provide reassurance at diffi cult, stressful times.

CASE STUDY Marjorie Cooper

1. Masonic Qualifi cation

Grants are awarded to individuals with a Masonic connection who are experiencing fi nancial hardship. Those eligible for consideration include:

Freemasons

The widows, partners and some other immediate dependants of deceased Freemasons

2. Financial Qualifi cation

The applicant’s savings and income levels will be taken into account in assessing the application.

Please note, if appropriate, a Notice of Assessment/Entitlement must be included in the application.

Certain incomes are disregarded when calculating a grant, for example: attendance allowance, disability living allowance or a war disability pension, but details of these are still required.

As a general guide, almost anyone who receives additional support from the state by way of Pension Credit or another means-tested benefi t is likely to be eligible.

If you have any questions it is advised you speak with your Lodge Almoner, Provincial Grand Almoner, or the Grand Charity offi ce.

Grants are not intended to replace available state benefi ts, which

should be secured before an application is considered.

The Freemasons’ Grand Charity is committed to supporting Freemasons and their dependants in need of help and will ensure discretion in every case.

Who should apply?

Special fuel paymentThe winter of 2010 saw a sharp rise in heating costs for many people due to an exceptionally cold winter. In the light of this, a decision was taken to introduce a one-off special fuel payment of £125 to everyone who had received a Masonic Relief Grant during the period December 2009 to April 2010.

Many of those who qualifi ed for the additional payment are older members of the community who are particularly vulnerable to the cold. In total £220,625 was spent assisting over 1,700 people.

The Freemasons’ Grand Charity is dedicated to fi nding new ways of supporting people in need.

“I cannot tell you what a big

diff erence it makes to someone in my

position and state of health, who

has to watch every penny, especially

when it comes to keeping warm”

- Extract from a “thank you” letter received in response to this grant

The Freemasons’ Grand Charity is committed to supporting Freemasons and their dependants in need of help and will ensure discretion in every case.

1. Completion and submission of an application form

Anyone who thinks they may be eligible for a grant or who would like more information should, in the fi rst instance, contact the Lodge Almoner, the Provincial Grand Almoner, The Freemasons’ Grand Charity, or the Freemasonry Cares Freephone 0800 035 6090. Arrangements will be made to visit the applicant at home and to assist with the completion of an application form, including details of the applicant’s fi nancial circumstances. All visits and applications are dealt with in the strictest confi dence and the privacy of the applicant is respected at all times.

2. Decision on the application

Following receipt of an application, a decision is usually taken within four to eight weeks. In unexpected crises, for example the death of a partner or an accident, emergency grants can be made to cover immediate needs. These can then be followed up with further fi nancial assistance given through the normal application process.

3. Payment of the grant

If approved, the grant will be paid to the applicant via the Lodge or Provincial/District Grand Lodge.

4. Other information

Repeat applications are strongly encouraged on an annual basis for as long as the need continues. Applicants who have previously been declined are welcome to re-apply in the event of a change in their circumstances.

Transferred Benefi ciaries

Fund The Transferred Benefi ciaries Fund makes regular payments to former benefi ciaries of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution annuity fund. The fund is now closed to new applicants, but the Transferred Benefi ciaries Fund continues to help a considerable number of people with small fi nancial grants.

At the end of 2010, there were 673 active benefi ciaries and in 2009/2010 payments from the Fund totalled £641,400.

Application processMobility equipmentFor over 10 years, the Grand Charity funded the supply and maintenance of mobility equipment, including, stair lifts, mobility scooters, wheelchairs, bath lifts, rise/recliners and certain other mobility products, as well as some home adaptations required for medical reasons.

On 1 December 2009, the Council of the Grand Charity transferred responsibility for this area to the Masonic Samaritan Fund, which provides other support for medical and health care needs of Freemasons and their dependants.

The MSF has also assumed responsibility for the maintenance and provision of insurance for all mobility equipment previously loaned to eligible benefi ciaries by the Grand Charity.

The Freemasons’ Grand Charity became responsible for the management of the Transferred Benefi ciaries Fund in 2002.

SUPPORTING Brethren & their families in need

SUPPORTING Brethren & their families in need

Other Masonic charitiesFrom time to time, The Freemasons’ Grand Charity supports other Masonic charities. In 2009, a grant of £500,000 was made to help fund dementia support at the RMBI Cadogan Court Home.

SUPPORTING Brethren & their families in need

The Freemasons’ Grand Charity, 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZT: 020 7395 9261 F: 020 7395 9295 Registered Charity No. 281942E: info@the-grand-charity.org www.grandcharity.org

The Freemasons’ Grand Charity is a grant-making

charity that supports:

• Freemasons and their dependants who are in fi nancial need

• Other Masonic charities• National charities serving England and Wales• Worldwide emergency relief work

Further information about grants in all these areas can be found at www.grandcharity.org

CASE STUDY

Jack SmithThe Freemasons’ Grand Charity is currently facing an increase in applications from people who have been adversely aff ected by the economic downturn of recent years. Companies have faced diffi cult times, which has led to many cases of people losing jobs and subsequently their homes. Sadly, this can cause the breakdown of marriages and family life.

Jack Smith had built his small plumbing business from scratch and for over 20 years it had been profi table. However, due to ongoing fi nancial problems he was forced to shut the company down. Jack was the main breadwinner in his household, his wife only worked part time. Reluctant to tell his Lodge members about the truth of his situation, Jack had simply stopped going to meetings. His concerned Lodge Almoner sought him out, and after some gentle questioning it became apparent that Jack was on the brink of losing his house.

An emergency grant from The Freemasons’ Grand Charity was approved, a sum which meant that Jack and his wife could pay for all their immediate living costs.

“The Grand Charity helped me when I did not know where else to turn, my wife and I are both very grateful

for the support we have received.”

- Jack Smith, Masonic Relief Grant Recipient

Please note, all names have been changed to protect individual’s privacy

© All images Fotolia

Masonic Relief Grants by number and value