A grant-making charity dedicated to supporting people in need
Masonic Relief Grants FAQs
TYPE OF HELP AVAILABLE
What help is available to Freemasons and their families?
We provide financial support for Freemasons and their dependants who are experiencing financial hardship, provided that they fall within our guidelines for assistance. Grants may be made towards essential daily living costs or unexpected needs. It is important to remember that the maximum Masonic Relief Grant available is £7,000.00, but most grants are for considerably less than this.
How long does a grant last for?
Grants are intended to last for a minimum period of one year.
When can I reapply?
A renewal application form will be sent out 3 months prior to the 1st anniversary of the last application so that it can be ascertained whether the applicant is still in need of assistance.
Can I apply to the Transferred Beneficiaries Fund?
No. This Fund does not accept new applications.
What help is available to people living in care homes?
The Charity is not, under normal circumstances, in a position to accept third-party top-up liability for applicants who may now reside in a Care Home. However, it will consider applications to top-up the daily living expenses allowance for residents who have expended all of their income to pay the home fees. It is important to remember that the maximum Masonic Relief Grant available is £7,000.00.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Who can apply for a grant?
Any Brother initiated into a Lodge under the United Grand Lodge of England, or who has joined from another Constitution, may apply to the Grand Charity for financial assistance. If at the time of the death of a Brother he would have been qualified, the Masonic Relief Grants Committee may, if it thinks fit, grant assistance to his widow, or any other person with whom he had been closely connected immediately before his death, for general living requirements.
Can the Charity provide short-term or emergency assistance?
Yes. In certain circumstances a grant can be approved and payment issued within as little as 48 hours.
The Charity is also able to support individuals experiencing temporary hardship. For example, support with living costs whilst seeking employment following redundancy.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Why do you need so much information on the application form?
A complete picture is essential if the Charity is to provide support that fully reflects the needs of the individual. As grants take the form of financial support it is essential that the Charity has details of the applicant's income and expenditure.
Can the application form be completed over the telephone?
No. The application form must be completed during a face-to-face meeting with the applicant in their own home. This is essential as it provides an opportunity for the Visiting Brother to identify problems that may not otherwise be apparent.
How long does it take to process an application?
Following receipt of the application by the office, a decision is usually taken within four to eight weeks. Delays may occur if the form is incorrectly completed or if further information is required.
I am the Visiting Brother, where can I get advice on completing the form?
Please contact the Masonic Relief Grants Team for assistance.
I am a Freemason who would like to apply, but I don't want members of my Lodge to know. Is this possible?
The Almoner of your Lodge will normally be the one to visit you and complete your financial details on the form. However, other members of your Lodge need not be aware of the confidential details, although they ought to be informed that appropriate steps have been taken to assist you. if you wish to apply to the Grand Charity, but do not want any member of your Lodge to know your personal details, then you should contact the Grand Charity office to discuss the matter.
I disagree with the decision taken. Can I appeal?
No, but a further application can be made if the applicant's financial circumstances have changed.
Can the application form be submitted electronically?
No, we do not accept online or email applications.
How does the Committee reach its decisions?
The Committee reviews cases in accordance with guidelines it adopts each year in April. These are not rigid rules and every case is treated on merit.
What is the deadline for submitting an application?
There is no deadline for submitting an application, but please be aware that a result can take up to eight weeks.
GOVERNMENT BENEFIT QUERIES
What is a Notice of Assessment?
In all cases where the applicant is in receipt of state means tested benefit (e.g. Pension Credit, Income Support, Working Tax Credit) a Notice of Assessment showing how the applicant's income is made up must accompany the application form.
The following table gives details of the documentation required and how to obtain a copy.
|
Benefit |
Notice of Assessment |
How to obtain a copy |
|
Pension Credit (Savings Credit and/or Guarantee Credit) |
Pension Credit Award Notice (M1000) |
Telephone the Pension Centre: 0845 606 0265 |
|
Working Tax Credit |
Tax Credit Award Notice |
Contact the local Tax Credit Office |
|
Income Support / Job Seekers Allowance |
Letter from Job Centre Plus showing a breakdown of payments |
Contact the local Job Centre Plus. |
Where can I get advice and information on benefits and other issues?
Please visit our useful websites page for access to other sources of help and information
GRANTS TO CHARITIES FAQs
Please note the following questions and answers refer to applications for a Major or Minor Non-Masonic Grant. For more information on emergency grants for disaster relief and hospice grants please refer to the relevant page of the website.
Is our project eligible for a grant?
Please look at the guidelines under each grant making category.
Capital projects: The Trustees will not normally recommend a contribution towards a major capital expenditure project (for example, a multi-million pound national appeal), but they might recommend a contribution towards a specific part of a smaller capital project (for example, an extension for a residential home for disabled people) in the Provinces.
Salaries: The Freemasons' Grand Charity does fund salaries, but does not usually fund campaigning or public policy departments.
Ongoing projects: A project does not have to be a new project to attract funding.
How much should we apply for?
The Trustees are unlikely to recommend a large grant for a small charity that has not previously received a grant from The Freemasons' Grand Charity. As a rough guide, if you are a charity with an income of less than £1 million, you are probably more likely to be successful if your first application is for a minor grant. If you are a slightly larger charity, but you have not previously received a grant from The Freemasons' Grand Charity, you might apply for between £20,000 and £50,000.
We have an income of less than £1 million. Does that mean that we cannot apply for a major grant?
If your charity has an income of less than £1 million you are still eligible to apply for a major grant. However, if you have an income of £125,000, do not apply for a grant of £75,000. Please see the answer to 'How much should we apply for?'.
We serve a local or regional area but we are affiliated to a national charity. Can we apply to The Freemasons' Grand Charity?
The key test here is whether your charity is registered with the Charities Commission under a separate charity number from the national charity. If it has its own charity number, it is considered to be a local/regional charity and is not eligible to apply. Does your charity have its own board of Trustees? This will normally indicate that it is a separate charity. For example, local Age Concern and MIND charities each have a separate charity number and so are not eligible.
We are a UK registered charity helping people from overseas in the UK and/or in their home country. Are we eligible?
No. The beneficiaries of the charity must be in England and Wales. Grants are not made to charities that help beneficiaries overseas or that support beneficiaries from overseas, such as students, who are temporarily in this country.
When is the deadline for applications?
Please see the guideline pages for the current deadlines. As a general rule, the deadline for completed applications will be about two months before the date of the Trustees' meeting.
Our application was rejected this year. When can we apply again?
You can apply again next year.
We received a grant last year. Can we apply again this year?
The Trustees prefer to leave a gap of at least a year between grants. For example, if you received a grant cheque in 2009 (whether a one-off grant or the final installment of a three-year grant) you will not generally be eligible for a further grant until 2011. It is very unusual for the Trustees to recommend follow-on funding, other than where the original grant is made for a period of years.
Why doesn't the minor grants application form include space for me to detail how the funding will be spent?
Minor grants are for general purposes or ‘core funding'. You can therefore use it to pay for overheads, salaries or projects - whatever you most need.
Can I submit the application electronically?
No. Applications must be submitted by post together with the charity's latest annual report and accounts, although copies will be accepted by email.
How will I know you have received my application?
You will receive an acknowledgement letter, usually within a couple of weeks of receipt of your application. We have a very small staff, so please do not call the office to tell us that you have sent the application or to ask if we have received it, unless you have not heard from us within a month of submission.
Can I apply for a major grant and a minor grant at the same time?
You can, but we would not recommend it.
Does the application have to be submitted by a Mason? Do I need a letter from a Mason supporting the application?
Not at all. Any supporting letters will be filed with the application but will not affect the outcome of the Trustees' deliberations.
Our charity is not a member of the AMRC. Can we still apply for a medical research grant?
You can apply, but you will need to show evidence in your application that the project for which you are applying has gone through a peer review process that is at least as rigorous as that required by the AMRC.
RELIEF CHEST FAQs
GENERAL
What is the role of the Relief Chest Representative?
The role of the Representative must be administered by only one officer. It is up to the Lodge/Chapter to decide who runs their Relief Chest. Usually it is the Charity Steward, Treasurer, etc. Please see section 2.4. on page.5 in the ‘Operating Manual and Rules' handbook.
- The Representative is the only contact with the Relief Chest Office
- He can request the balance of the chest at any time by email or telephone
- The recipient of all correspondence
- Authorised officer to change any details
- One of two authorised signatory of to make a donation from the chest
PAYMENTS IN (Donations)
What is Gift Aid?
Gift Aid is a Government scheme that enables charities to reclaim the tax that the individual has already paid on their donations.
For more information on Gift Aid please visit http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/individuals/giving/gift-aid.htm
How can the donor change the amount and/or term on a Regular Donation (Direct Debit)?
If your Regular Donation has already started, we would advise you cancel your Direct Debit with your Bank and complete a new Regular Donation form. However, if the first payment hasn't been collected then changes can be made.
How can a donor amend their account details?
The donor will have to contact their bank or building society to change to these details. The bank will notify us.
When making a donation, who is the cheque made payable to?
All cheques must be made payable to The Freemasons' Grand Charity.
Why has Gift Aid not been reclaimed a donation?
This could be the donor didn't complete a valid Gift Aid declaration. Which enables us to reclaim Tax.
PAYMENTS OUT
Who are the authorised signatories on the Voucher?
We require two signatures from two officers of the Lodge. One of these signatories must be the Relief Chest Representative.
Can a donation to a non registered or overseas charity be made from a Relief Chest?
Providing we have sufficient information on their charitable activities, The Relief Chest Scheme can only make donations to registered charities or organisations recognised by HMRC and the Charity Commission as ‘Charitable'. Please see section 5.1.1. on page.10 in the ‘Operating Manual and Rules' handbook.
Can a transfer be made to the Lodge's Benevolent Account/Association?
Donations can not be made back to any Chest holder even if their benevolent fund is a registered charity.
Which Voucher (Blue or Green)
Once a donation to a Charity has been approved in open Lodge (or equivalent), the
Relief Chest Representative must complete and submit an appropriate Voucher. These Vouchers are uniquely numbered and issued to each Relief Chest. Please see section 5.3.1. on page.12 in the ‘Operating Manual and Rules' handbook.
BLUE VOUCHER
This voucher is to be completed for donations to the main Masonic charities, as listed on the voucher.
GREEN VOUCHER
This voucher is to be completed for donations to all non-Masonic charities and Masonic charities that are not listed on the blue voucher and to transfer funds to a Festival.
How do I find out about Honorifics?
Please contact the Provincial Office and/or Masonic Charity. The Relief Chest does not deal with Honorific's or Jewels.
I have received a letter stating that my Relief Chest has become Dormant. Why is this?
A dormant chest is one in which no payment has been made out of the Relief Chest for two years.
To meet the expectations of HM Revenue & Customs that a Relief Chest has been opened for collecting and donating money to charity, it is important that The Freemasons' Grand Charity can demonstrate activity. A two-year period during which no charitable donations have been made requires investigation to confirm that the Chest is being maintained according to the principles of the Relief Chest Scheme. For more information of Dormant Chests, Please see section 9. on page.17 in the ‘Operating Manual and Rules' handbook.
