The Central Charities
The Freemasons’ Grand Charity
The Freemasons’ Grand Charity is a grant-making charity dedicated to supporting people in need. The Grand Charity provides assistance for Freemasons and their partners or other dependants who are experiencing financial hardship or need. Masonic Relief Grants are intended to enhance the applicant’s standard of living and every case of genuine need is considered with compassion and in confidentiality.
Grants are made towards:
- Essential daily living costs
- Unexpected needs (e.g. funeral bills or replacing damaged items such as household boilers etc)
Typically the grants range from £500 to £7,000 per applicant per year and can be renewed yearly for as long as the need exists. In exceptional cases larger grants can be awarded. As a general guide, people who receive additional support from the state by way of pension credit or other means-tested benefits are likely to be eligible for help. Anyone who thinks they should be eligible for a grant or who would like more information should, in the first instance, contact the Lodge Almoner, the Provincial Grand Almoner or the office of The Freemasons’ Grand Charity. All applications are dealt with in the strictest confidence and the privacy of the applicant is respected at all times.
During the last financial year The Freemasons’ Grand Charity donated nearly £7 million in both Masonic relief and grants to non-Masonic charities. Over £3.4 million was awarded in Masonic grants, assisting nearly 2,000 individuals. The Freemasons’ Grand Charity also supports non-Masonic charities in the categories of medical research, vulnerable people, opportunities for disadvantaged youths, emergency disaster relief, air ambulances and hospices.
Contact The Freemasons’ Grand Charity:
60 Great Queen Street
London WC2B 5AZ
T: 020 7395 9261
E: info@the-grand-charity.org
W: www.grandcharity.org
For further information about Masonic Relief Grants please contact the team on 020 7395 9293/9391
Masonic Samaritan Fund
The Masonic Samaritan Fund provides grants to Freemasons and their dependants who have an identified medical, dental or respite need, are waiting for treatment on the NHS or for treatment that might not be available on the NHS and are unable to afford their own private treatment without incurring significant hardship. Since April 2010 for those with a medical need the Fund considers applications for mobility aids and home or vehicle adaptations (e.g. wheelchairs, stair-lifts, baths etc.) This support was previously administered by The Freemasons’ Grand Charity.
The application process is straightforward and confidential. Potential applicants are welcome to make direct contact with the Fund in order to determine eligibility. Only in exceptional circumstances will the Fund support applications made after treatment has taken place or been booked. Early contact, by phone, letter or email, is therefore essential. There are no age limits and no qualifying period of membership. There is no requirement for the Freemason to still be active in the Craft.
With minor exceptions, if licensed by the NHS, the MSF will consider applications for all kinds of medical treatment. Although most applicants request funding for surgery, support is available for a wide variety of medical needs including Respite Care, dental treatment, digital hearing aids and drug treatment for cancer and degenerative diseases. The Fund has a variety of publicity material available and is very happy to provide a speaker to talk about the work of the Fund in the hope that all eligible applicants are aware of what may be available.
For further information please:
Telephone: 020 7404 1550
Email: mail@msfund.org.uk
Visit: www.msfund.org.uk
Or write to:
The Masonic Samaritan Fund
60 Great Queen Street
London
WC2B 5AZ
Masonic Samaritan Fund, a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England.
Company number 6876310, Charity Number 1130424
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution (RMBI)
The RMBI has been caring for older Freemasons and their dependants for over 160 years. We operate 17 care homes across England and Wales offering a range of high quality care. Many of our Homes are registered for both residential and nursing care and a number offer specialist dementia care. Limited sheltered accommodation is offered for those people who prefer to live more independently, but with support nearby in an emergency.
The RMBI has a team of Care Advice Visitors, who know a great deal about health and welfare rights and benefits. They can also give advice on all aspects of the services offered by the RMBI and the other Masonic charities, and by statutory and voluntary agencies. The RMBI can also offer short-stay breaks, including respite care. These are helpful for both those living alone, and for families that need a little respite from the demands of caring for an older relative.
At the RMBI we believe in treating everyone as an individual. Every potential resident is assessed to find out what type of care package would best meet their needs. A tailor-made care plan is put together, which is reviewed on a regular basis. Residents who choose an RMBI Home, have the security of knowing that they have a home for life regardless of any change in their financial circumstances as long as we can cater for their particular care needs.
Web Address:
rmbi.org.uk
Contact details:
RMBI, 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ
Telephone: 020 7596 2400
Email: enquiries@rmbi.org.uk
Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys
Mission Statement
To relieve poverty and advance the education of children of a Masonic family and, when funds permit, support other children in need.
Origins of the RMTGB
In the mid-1980s two national charities were brought together to form the Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys (MTGB). The former charities, the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls (RMIG) and the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys (RMIB), were merged with the MTGB and given the overall aim of relieving poverty and advancing education of children of all ages.
The girls’ charity was set up in 1788. The trust deeds allowed for legitimate daughters of and female children legally adopted by Freemasons who, from some unexpected calamity, were driven into poverty, to be educated at the School. All girls were boarders and educated free, unless it was deemed that a parental contribution was required in accordance with the income of the parent(s). The boys’ charity followed in 1798 (although there was no separate School for 60 years) along similar lines to that for the girls. The Boys’ School was sold in 1977 and the money raised was, and still is, used for supporting boys at whatever school is best suited to their needs. The Girls’ School was not sold, but set up as a separate foundation as a girls’ independent school, the Royal Masonic School for Girls operating in the private sector in competition with all others in the area. By gracious permission of Her Majesty The Queen, the Trust adopted the title of “Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys” (RMTGB) on 1 May 2003.
Petitions
The Petitions Committee considers petitions submitted to the Trust through sponsoring Lodges. Initial Enquiry forms, which are used to make a first assessment of eligibility for support, are available from Provincial offices. Petitions are considered at the earliest opportunity after completion and return to the Trust.
If a family is accepted, the Province (or London Lodge) that sponsored the Petition is invited to nominate a Case Almoner to disburse Trust support and stay in regular contact with the family.
The Trust depends on Lodges for information about cases of distress which may qualify for assistance. All members of Lodges are urged to be particularly vigilant in this respect. When a case comes to light, the Lodge Secretary or Lodge Almoner should at once inform the Trust through the Provincial Office. Staff at the Trust are always ready to give help and guidance on potential cases.
Contact Details:
RMTGB,
60, Great Queen Street, London, WC2B 5AZ. Tel: 020 7405 2644
Website: www.rmtgb.org email: petitions@rmtgb.org