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NOTE: The Freemasons' Grand Charity and the Relief Chest Scheme which it operates do not currently have websites to which you can link.
CHARITY IS BUT ONE EXPRESSION OF THE TRUE SPIRIT OF FREEMASONRY
(From the address by HRH The Duke of Kent at the Annual Convocation of Grand Chapter April 2001).
"Let me remind you first of all that Freemasonry itself is not a charity.
Nor indeed does it have charity as its main purpose. Charity is but one expression of
the true spirit of Freemasonry, a demonstration to our Brethren and their
dependants and to the community that our hearts are indeed 'expanded by
benevolence'.
Nevertheless the total charitable achievement of Freemasons is a substantial one...."
AIMS AND OBJECTS OF THE GRAND CHARITY The Grand Charity is the central grant-giving charity of all Freemasons in England and Wales. Whilst the objects, as expressed in the trust deed, are very broad, the policy is to assist in three specific areas:
Read on to see that Freemasonry can never be accused of being introvert - only looking after its own. Much more is paid to society in general, and none of the money raised is by public appeal or the rattling of collection boxes. It all emanates from Freemasons, their families and friends combined with wise management by those appointed to administer the funds. As regards Non-Masonic charities, the Grand Charity makes grants principally to organisations and other charities in support of youth, general welfare and medical research. The Grand Charity is unique, in that it is the only charity answerable to all Freemasons in the English Constitution, through their membership of Lodges under the United Grand Lodge of England. Its members are all those who are entitled to attend Grand Lodge. In 2004 grants to Masonic relief applicants totalled £2.84m.
Non-Masonic Grants were made as follows: - Grants of less than £10,000 each, totalling approximately £170,000 were made to 42 non-Masonic charities. Emergency Grants totalling £90,000 were made to the British Red Cross for the Iran Earthquake, Sudan, South Asia Floods and Caribbean Hurricane. Other grants were made to the Boscastle flooding appeal and to hurricane appeals in other parts of the world. Grants totalling £303,000 were made to Disability, Health Care, Medical Research and Vulnerable People charities. In Northumberland £26,790 was given to local Charities. See 'Local Charities' for more details. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR ALL FREEMASONS re future Financial Assistance Grants to Masons and their Dependants: The Presidents of the Masonic Charities have been meeting under the chairmanship of the Deputy Grand Master, to seek ways to rationalise and harmonise the activities of the Charities and to make them more efficient and cost effective. For many years, both the Grand Charity and the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution have provided financial assistance to Masons, and their dependants, who have insufficient financial resources to meet their needs. These grants have frequently addressed the same people. Following discussions between the two charities, it has been agreed that it would be more efficient for the administrative responsibilities to be undertaken by the Grand Charity, leaving the RMBI to concentrate on its primary objective of providing residential care for Masons and their dependants who are elderly or infirm. The RMBI Care Advice Visitor Service will continue to provide advice and support. Legal formalities were completed during the Spring of 2002, whereby the responsibility for making payments to the current recipients of RMBI annuities will thereafter pass to the Grand Charity. These payments will continue to be made in their existing form; recipients will not be aware of any difference. The Grand Charity took over these payments at the end of June 2002. At that time, the RMBI transferred the investments in its annuity fund to the Grand Charity. From the 1st of April 2002, the Grand Charity took direct responsibility for all new applications for financial assistance. The former Petitions Committee grants and the relief formerly provided by RMBI annuities are thereafter merged under a new Masonic Relief Grant. Applications for the new grants should be made in the same way as applications have previously been made for grants from the Grand Charity. Under this new system, the Grand Charity will review all applications, which previously would have been sent to the RMBI to be considered for an annuity. Financial assistance will be given to all applicants who are in need, according to guidelines for support agreed by the Council of the Grand Charity. Cases similar to those which previously received a grant from the Grand Charity, as well as a RMBI annuity, should expect a similar overall level of support from the Grand Charity As currently, Lodges will make applications on behalf of Masons and their dependants in need. A new application form has been sent to all Provinces, accompanied by detailed guidelines and instructions for the new Masonic Relief Grants. This form should be used for all future applications for financial assistance. The Grand Charity also plans to hold regional seminars for Provincial Almoners to explain the new procedures. These arrangements will simplify and expedite the application process. If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact Laura Chapman, Chief Executive of the Grand Charity.
The Lodge Relief Chest scheme was introduced by the Grand Charity in January 1986. It has since been expanded and is now called the Relief Chest Scheme. The scheme provides individual accounts which a Lodge, Chapter, Province or other Masonic Organisation can use to accumulate funds for charitable purposes. The accounts are managed by the Grand Charity free of charge. Payments into an account can be:—
Full details of these various methods can be obtained from the Grand Charity office in London.
The Grand Charity will credit the account
with payments made under the Gift Aid Scheme and
claim repayments from the Inland
Revenue. The Inland
Revenue repayment can add 28p to an
account for each £1 contribution. The money in a Relief Chest is held by the Grand Charity, which will dispose of those funds for any purpose nominated by the Lodge etc., provided that the purpose is recognised by the Inland Revenue as charitable. Donations can be made to any Masonic or non-Masonic charity or to an individual (eg a member of a Lodge or the widow of a member) who is in need.(This includes units of all Masonic Orders). Payments from accounts to registered charities will be made on request to the Grand Charity. A letter will be sent stating that the payment is at the request of the Lodge etc. The recipient will be asked to send an acknowledgement direct. Donations from a Relief Chest can also be used to qualify for an honorific office in a Masonic Charity. All Lodges, Chapters, Provinces and Masonic Organisations are urged to open a Relief Chest, thereby ensuring trouble-free recovery of tax on contributions and the advantages of investment in a large fund without any administrative cost. A Handbook explaining the scheme in greater detail, the Rules of the scheme (latest edition May 2000) and appropriate forms are available from the Grand Charity Office, 60 Great Queen Street, London, WC2B 5AZ Tel.020 7395 9293.
The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution is a Registered Charity. It is the 66th biggest Charity in the country, out of 190,000 charities on the Charities Commission register. Its purpose is to provide a comprehensive range of services designed to meet the needs of older Freemasons and their dependants. This is achieved by providing care in its Homes and within the community:
The RMBI has over 4000 beneficiaries. The RMBI is the only major Masonic charity which directly manages its services. The Management Team bears overall responsibility. The RMBI is the 66th largest registered charity in England. It employs 1500 staff to support over 4000 beneficiaries - 1150 residents in its 18 homes and 3000 living in the community.; a large property portfolio and an expenditure of almost £26m per annum. Above all, however, the RMBI's 'STATEMENT OF PURPOSE' is as follows:
In Northumberland the RMBI works through its home at Scarbrough Court, Cramlington. See its page on this site.
ROYAL MASONIC TRUST FOR GIRLS AND BOYS
"To continue to relieve poverty and provide an education and preparation for life for the children of the family of a Freemason and, where funds permit, for any children, as their fathers would have done, had they been able so to do." The work of the RMTGB has been going on for over 200 years - it is the oldest of the Masonic charities. Looking after children is its main objective and it is currently looking after more than 2000 children who are the families of Freemasons. No child of a Freemason is turned away for lack of funds. Many of the children are from families in the most distressing circumstances. The Trust's welfare staff play an important role in their care. Additionally, in the year 2000 the RMTGB launched its 'UndergradAid' scheme to assist young people at University and during 2002, 919 young people were granted aid. There is also the 'Talent Aid' scheme to assist in the provision of assistance to parents and guardians of exceptionally talented children (see the 'News & Event' page).75 young people received such aid in 2002. It is also an objective of the RMTGB to assist children not connected with Masonic families. There are bursaries at many Cathedrals, Collegiate Churches and chapels in England and Wales, so that children from poor families can have the opportunity to take part in the great choral traditions of our country. The 'LIFELITES' project continues to bring the benefits of Information Technology of many kinds to 32 childrens' hospices in England and Wales. ALMOST £10 MILLION PER ANNUM IS SPENT ACHIEVING THE AIMS OF THE RMTGB !! IN 2002 £1.08 MILLION WAS GRANTED TO NON-MASONIC CHILDRENS' CHARITIES
In 1999 Right Worshipful Brother George Usher, Provincial Grand Master, presided over the Northumberland Festival for the RMTGB. On that occasion £2.76 million was raised for the MTGB.
IN SUPPORT OF SICK AND NEEDY FREEMASONS AND THEIR DEPENDANTS The New Masonic Samaritan Fund is still a young charity. Established as recently as 1990 it seeks to provide medical assistance to needy Freemasons, their families and dependants who are unable to obtain NHS treatment without undue delay, and who cannot afford private treatment without suffering further hardship. In its first ten years The Fund supported treatment for 5,000 individuals ranging in age from 3 to 95. This involved allocating grants totalling £19 million. Whilst many of the conditions funded via the NMSF may be associated with advancing years - hip and knee joint replacements, cataracts and prostrate problems - funding can be available for everything from scans to major heart surgery. Although painful and often distressing, such complaints are not life threatening and often involve a long wait on the NHS. The Fund will not provide support in emergency or life threatening cases where the NHS will deal with it promptly and efficiently. Applicants do not need to be financially destitute to qualify for assistance. In establishing the financial need we will take account of income but will not include the value of your home. Allowances are made for certain items of expenditure and for reasonable savings. Some applicants may be asked to make a contribution towards the overall cost of treatment. Once an application is accepted, the interests of the patient will be paramount and the required treatment will be obtained at whichever hospital is the most appropriate and, if possible, near to where the patient lives.
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