Freemasons Grand Charity

Non-Masonic Grants – notice of forthcoming deadline (26 November)

Grants are made only to charities in England and Wales which are registered with the Charity Commission. Regional or local charities should apply instead to the Provincial Grand Lodge of the region in which they operate. Provincial Offices are listed in telephone directories, usually under "Freemasons" or "Masons".

The Freemasons' Grand Charity gives grants principally in the following areas:

Core funding grants of between £500 and £5,000 are given to smaller charities whose annual income does not exceed about £1 million.

Grants of between £5,000 and £50,000 are made only for a designated purpose and generally to larger charities. Funding may be granted for up to three-year periods in certain circumstances where there is evidence of an on-going need for charitable grant funding.

The majority of major grants awarded are for between £10,000 and £25,000 although a few grants of over £50,000 may be approved each year. Grants may be made for capital projects provided the application is for an identifiable element of the project

Grant applications are considered at meetings held in January, April and July.

Applications are currently being accepted for consideration at the meeting to be held in January 2011.  The closing date for receipt of applications for presentation at this meeting is Friday 26th November 2010.

Hospice Grants- The hospice grants are made as part of a nationwide project and total approximately £500,000 each year. Hospice grant applications should be made on a separate form which is available from either the appropriate Provincial Grand Lodge, The Freemasons' Grand Charity office or to download from the Application Forms page of the website.

Medical Research Grants - Preference is given to medical research applications from charities that are members of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC). If a charity is not a member of the AMRC its research project should have been peer reviewed in accordance with the guidelines of the AMRC. We recommend that charities applying for a grant to fund medical research should read the AMRC guidance prior to submitting an application.

Grants for Religious Buildings- A small number of grants are awarded annually to religious buildings of national importance.  Typically the grant will be for no more than £5,000.  Please note that The Freemasons' Grand Charity does not accept direct approaches from applicants in this category.  Applications are only considered following the recommendation of the Provincial Grand Lodge, which must also be supporting the appeal.  Any Provincial Grand Lodge wishing to advance an application should, in the first instance, contact The Freemasons' Grand Charity to discuss the application and obtain a copy of the Religious Buildings Application Form. 

To apply to The Freemasons' Grand Charity for a grant, a charity must complete the appropriate application form

All applications must be accompanied by a full copy of the charity's latest annual report and audited accounts.

Applications may be submitted to The Freemasons' Grand Charity office for the attention of the Head of Non-Masonic Grants, at any time throughout the year.

Major grant applications are considered at meetings held in January, April and July.

Charities should also offer The Freemasons' Grand Charity the opportunity for its support to be recognised and acknowledged publicly.

Freemasons' Grand Charity, 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ Tel: 020 7395 9261 Fax: 020 7395 9295 Email: info@the-grand-charity.org

Website: www.grandcharity.org

last updated on 21st November 2010