Charity
Charity has always been a core principle of Freemasonry and we’re proud of our 300-year history of helping those in need. Our members make an important contribution at a local, national and global level every year by giving both their time and money to make a real difference to a number of organisations and communities.
It’s why Freemasonry is one of the largest charitable givers in the country, contributing around £50m to deserving causes each year. Freemasons do not only donate money – more than 18.5 million hours of volunteer work is undertaken by our members in their communities every year.
Our members engage in many activities including community fundraising and volunteering, as well as a varied programme of events where spouses, partners and families are welcome. We’ve made substantial donations across the country to local air ambulances, blood bikes and provide a number of emergency response vehicles, including two super aerial platforms for the London Fire Brigade.
Freemasonry does a huge amount for medical research into treatments for cancer, diabetes, heart disease and a whole range of other conditions, including Alzheimer’s, by funding UK medical scientists to make ground breaking discoveries.
WHEN TWO BECOME ONE
Warwickshire Freemasons' Charitable Foundation
This year is an important year for charitable giving in Warwickshire, with the bringing together of our two charities, the Warwickshire Masonic Charitable Association and the Warwickshire Masonic benevolent Fund into the Warwickshire Freemasons’ Charitable Foundation.
This has been done to create a charity which is more efficient, effective and flexible, with core objectives of supporting: –
- Freemasons their families and their dependents and
- Non-masonic charities operating within Warwickshire.
The Provincial Grand Master, RW Bro Philip Hall, launched the new charity at this year's joint annual Provincial Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Chapter Annual Convocation meeting with the sale of lapel badges which raised over £931 - a splendid addition to the fund.
Warwickshire Freemasons Donated Over £200,000
The WMCA again donated £200,000 to local charities in the financial year 2023/24. The beneficiaries included our local hospices, our two local Air Ambulances and charities supporting our:-
military personnel and veterans, older citizens experiencing dementia and/or loneliness and isolation, children experiencing the effects of poverty, family bereavement, domestic violence, refuges and other services combatting domestic and sexual violence, homeless shelters and hostels, local cancer support services for adults and children, local services providing assistance to individuals with a wide range of disabilities, medical charities helping individuals manage the impact of Huntington’s Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Fahr’s Disease, MS and Brain Injuries etc.
In addition and in support of the MCF we were able to donate a further £50,000 to International Disaster Funds offering assistance in the aftermath of the floods in Libya, the earthquakes in Syria, Turkiye and Morocco and the tragedies in Israel and Gaza.
This year is an important year for charitable giving in Warwickshire with the bringing together of our two charities, the Warwickshire Masonic Charitable Association and the Warwickshire Masonic Benevolent Fund, to form our new combined charity the Warwickshire Freemasons Charitable Foundation. The new charity will be more efficient, effective and flexible but it will retain its core objectives of supporting: Freemasons and their families and dependent’s and Non-masonic charities operating in Warwickshire.
Please click HERE to read the full report and list of beneficiaries.
Warwickshire Masonic Charitable Association
The Provincial Grand Lodge of Warwickshire administers many charitable funds, the principal ones of which are the Warwickshire Masonic Benevolent Fund and the Warwickshire Masonic Charitable Association Limited.
The objects of the WMBF are to provide relief to needy Freemasons of the Province, their widows or partners, their children and any spinster sisters. The Management Committee of the Charity Board of the WMBF meets on a quarterly basis to consider petitions for relief submitted by Lodge Almoners, although the Provincial Grand Almoner also has the power to make emergency grants. WMBF relies heavily on regular donations from Lodges and Chapters in the Province to enable it to carry out its charitable work.
WMCA Ltd was formed to manage the various legacies bequeathed to the Province and more recently to deal with the reclamation of Gift Aid as a result of charitable donations. It also distributes substantial sums on an annual basis to non-Masonic charities which operate within the Province. These charities must apply for assistance and provide audited accounts.
Administration of the charities is in the capable hands of the Provincial Grand Almoner and the Provincial Grand Charity Steward assisted by the Provincial Grand Secretary.
The Provincial Grand Almoner is W Bro John Harris.
The Provincial Grand Charity Steward is W Bro Andrew Staker.
Both may be contacted on: 0121 454 0554
A seminar is normally held on an annual basis in September to share information and best practice with Lodge Almoners and Charity Stewards.
About you / your charity & the type of support required
THE MCF (MASONIC CHARITABLE FOUNDATION)
For Freemasons, for families, for everyone.
The Masonic Charitable Foundation builds better lives by enabling opportunity, advancing healthcare and education and promoting independence for Freemasons, their families and the wider community.
Funded entirely through the generosity of Freemasons and their families, the Masonic Charitable Foundation is one of the largest grant-making charities in the country.
How the Foundation helps Masonic families
A wide range of help and support is available for Freemasons, their wives, partners, widows, children and grandchildren. Most of the support provided takes the form of financial grants to assist with financial, health or family related needs.
Practical assistance
The Foundation’s Advice & Support Team offer confidential, impartial and practical guidance about the help we can provide. The Team can also help with applications for state and local authority benefits and can put you in touch with other organisations who can give advice on care, employment and education.
How to apply
For further information about the help and support available from the Foundation
please call their dedicated freephone enquiry line: 0800 035 60 90 or email help@mcf.org.uk
You can also write to: Masonic Charitable Foundation, 60 Great Queen Street, London, WC2B 5AZ
For more information about the Foundation’s grants and the application process, please visit: www.mcf.org.uk
How the Foundation helps communities
In addition to the support provided to Freemasons and their families, the Masonic Charitable Foundation looks beyond Freemasonry, making significant financial grants to charities that help people to live happy, fulfilled lives and to participate actively in society.
The charities supported make a significant and lasting difference to people in need. We aim to benefit as many people as possible and further those causes about which Freemasons and their families have told us they are most passionate.
Financial
- Daily living costs
- Grants following an accident, redundancy or personal crisis
- Funeral bills
- Minor home repairs
Health
- Medical treatment
- Dental treatment
- Mobility aids and home adaptations
- Counselling
Family (Children in full-time education)
- Costs for education or training
- Scholarships, travel grants and student accommodation
- Supporting exceptional talent in sport, music or the performing arts
Family (Care)
- Masonic care homes – including nursing, residential and dementia care
- Respite care
- UK holidays
To find out more about the Foundation’s Community Support and Research grants, please visit: mcf.org.uk/community
Keep up to date with the Foundation’s work
Website: www.mcf.org.uk
X (Formerly Twitter): @Masonic_Charity
Facebook: @themcf
YouTube: Masonic Charitable Foundation
For more information contact
Charity
The Provincial Grand Charity Steward
Provincial Grand Lodge of Warwickshire
Yenton Assembly Rooms,
73 Gravelly Hill North,
Erdington,
Birmingham
B23 6BJ
W Bro Andrew Staker
Almoner
The Provincial Grand Almoner
Secretary to the Provincial Grand Almoner
Provincial Grand Lodge of Warwickshire
Yenton Assembly Rooms,
73 Gravelly Hill North,
Erdington,
Birmingham
B23 6BJ
W Bro John Harris