Vulnerable People Grant guidelines 

The guidelines under which grants are awarded are reviewed on an annual basis and the final decision on which projects to recommend for support is made by the Council of The Freemasons' Grand Charity.  The charities and projects supported by The Freemasons' Grand Charity are chosen because they deliver important services, complement the work of other charities or tackle issues that are less popular with other funders.

Minor Grants

Core funding grants of between £500 and £5,000 are given to smaller, nationwide charities whose annual income does not exceed about £1 million.  Core funding means that an applicant charity does not have to specify a project.  A minor grant can be used for the general running or overhead costs of the charity.

Major Grants

Grants of over £5,000 are made only for a specific purpose and are generally made to larger, nationwide charities.

• The category of vulnerable people includes people with physical disabilities or learning difficulties, people suffering from a range of physical and mental health problems, older people, those who are homeless and those who are otherwise disadvantaged in society
• The average grant size for a first grant to a charity is normally between £10,000 and £25,000
• In subsequent years, larger grants may be awarded but usually only following prior discussion with the Non-Masonic Grants Team
• A very few major grants of over £50,000 may be approved each year
• The purpose might be to fund a salary or to deliver a specific project
• Any request for project funding will need to include a detailed project plan, budget, timetable, objectives, milestones and intended outcomes
• Evidence of successful outcomes will need to be provided with applications for ongoing projects
• Grants may be made for capital projects provided that the application is for an identifiable element of the project
• 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

Grant Application Procedure

Minor Grants Application Form

Major Grants 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, The Freemasons' Grand Charity, 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5AZ, at any time throughout the year.

Closing Date 

• Grant applications are considered at meetings held in  January, April, July and October.
• Applications are currently being accepted for consideration at the meeting to be held in July 2012.  The closing date for receipt of applications for presentation at this meeting is Friday 25th May 2012.
• Applications received after the closing date will be held over to the next meeting (Nov 2012).   

Please note - applications must be signed or they will not be accepted

For further information please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions or contact Katrina Baker on 020 7395 9314

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