Charitable Giving. Every year Freemasons help thousands of people in need How? By donating millions of pounds to charitable causes

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1 Charitable Giving Every year Freemasons help thousands of people in need How? By donating millions of pounds to charitable causes

2 Helping thousands of people each year A grand total of 6.6 million was given to support people in need during 2013 The Freemasons Grand Charity is a grant-making charity dedicated to supporting people in need. Each year the charity provides relief grants for hundreds of individuals who are experiencing financial hardship, as well as donating millions of pounds to nationwide charitable projects and services. The Grand Charity supports: Freemasons and their dependants who are experiencing financial hardship Medical research Youth opportunities Support for vulnerable people Hospice services Air ambulance services Worldwide disaster relief The Grand Charity provides help for hundreds of Freemasons and their dependants who are in financial need every year. These difficult situations occur for many reasons. The Charity seeks to help those who are affected by circumstances beyond their control to avoid poverty. In addition, the Grand Charity funds hundreds of nationwide charities, as well as hospice services and air ambulances. These charitable causes are supported because they aim to make a significant difference to people in need all over England and Wales.

3 Over 10.5 million given to hospices The support to hospices by the Grand Charity and individual Lodges has been unstinting over many years Dame Cicely Saunders, Founder of the Hospice movement A major project to provide regular support for hospice services in England and Wales began in The hospice programme quickly became one of the Charity s most popular areas of grant-making. Since then over 10.5 million has been donated to hundreds of hospices in England and Wales. Grants are available for all hospice services that receive less than 60% of their income from the NHS. Hospice grants are awarded for running costs only and no contributions are made to capital appeals this means the money goes directly to caring. The Grand Charity donates a total of 600,000 every year to hospice services. Freemasons are passionate about supporting hospices because the help and care they provide to people at emotionally difficult times is invaluable. Hospice services aim to ease pain and trauma through kindness, comfort and understanding, as well as by providing exceptional medical care.

4 Funding ground-breaking medical research The funding of medical research is of real benefit to the wider community and is an important area of the Grand Charity s grant-making programme. Since 1981, the Charity has donated more than 9.2 million for this cause. Nearly 350,000 was awarded during Cancer destroys lives and there are few people who will not be affected directly or indirectly by it at some point. Every form of cancer is unique because every sufferer is unique. Yet most standard treatments, such as chemotherapy, still take a one size fits all approach to treat individuals. This means that treatment is not as effective as it could be and unnecessary physical damage to patients is caused. In 2013 the Grand Charity donated 150,000 towards cutting-edge research that aims to discover the weak points of individual cancers, at molecular level, in individual patients. This will enable precision targeting of tumours using bespoke treatments, and will also combat drug resistance when or where it arises. The grant is funding the employment of a highly specialised Genomics Manager, within a new Tumour Profiling Unit at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, who will lead this vital work. 150,000 for revolutionary cancer research

5 Helping members and their dependants through difficult times A priority for the Grand Charity is supporting Freemasons and their dependants who are facing financial hardship. During 2013, hundreds of individuals and families were helped with a total of 3.7 million. Grants are made towards: Essential daily living costs (e.g. utility bills and food) Unexpected needs (e.g. hardship faced following an accident, redundancy or other personal crisis) The majority of people assisted are beyond retirement age who are finding it hard to cope on a low income. The Charity also helps many people who have lost their business or have been made redundant. In addition, individuals who are unable to support themselves financially due to health issues may receive assistance from the Grand Charity. In 2013, a total of 1,527 Masonic Relief Grants were issued. May Wise recently sought help from the Grand Charity. May had been living on a small pension, but was finding it difficult to make ends meet. Following a visit from her late husband s Lodge Almoner, May received a grant to assist with her living costs. I am so grateful to Freemasonry for helping me, it was such unexpected, wonderful news, and has saved me a great deal of worry. May Wise

6 Providing opportunities for young people The Grand Charity aims to help disadvantaged young people realise their potential. Since 1981, the Charity has donated over 5.3 million for this cause. 112,000 was awarded during Whether at sea or on land, Sea Cadets offers an environment where young people can find new confidence and inspiration. Across the UK 14,000 cadets are challenging themselves and developing new skills through nautical adventure for the best possible head start in life. The Grand Charity is supporting the Sea Cadet bursary scheme with a grant which will enable around 120 disadvantaged young people to benefit from offshore and onshore training they would not otherwise enjoy. Sea Cadets assists young people like Simeon, who joined at the age of ten after his mother tragically passed away. Sea Cadets has become my family since my mother passed away. The staff are people who I know I can go to and look to for help and support. They have helped me achieve so much. Simeon, 17 20,000 for Sea Cadets (part of Marine Society & Sea Cadets)

7 Supporting vulnerable people to get the most out of life The Grand Charity seeks to help people in a variety of difficult situations including serious illness, disability, homelessness, poverty and deprivation. Since 1981, the Charity has given over 23.6 million to fund projects that support vulnerable people of all ages. Nearly 1 million was awarded during The Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) use horses and ponies to provide therapy, achievement and enjoyment to people with disabilities. Activities are available for all age groups, and wherever possible, to people with any disability in both rural and urban settings. The Grand Charity donated 75,000 to fund the RDA Volunteer Development Programme. At the age of 42 the diagnosis of a brain tumour shattered my life. I found myself partially sighted, deaf on one side, unable to stay upright, and with partial paraplegia on my left side. RDA rode to my rescue with the support of the wonderful volunteers I made great progress and the awful balance issues were completely removed when riding. It was a revelation that was the beginning of so much hope for the future. Julie, RDA beneficiary 75,000 for Riding for the Disabled Association

8 Grand Charity key facts Over 100 million has been donated to charitable causes since The Grand Charity is funded entirely by Freemasons and their families. Since 1984, 290 hospices have received a share of more than 10.5 million. Over 9.2 million in medical research funding has contributed to successful treatments for a wide range of illnesses. Thousands of Freemasons and their dependants who have experienced financial difficulty have been helped. Since 2007, over 1.3 million has been donated to support air ambulance charities. The Freemasons Grand Charity 60 Great Queen Street London WC2B 5AZ Tel: Fax: info@the-grand-charity.org Website: The Freemasons Grand Charity The Grand Charity Registered Charity No This review is based on activities during the period December 2012 to November Date of publication: February 2014

9 2013 Grants List Total: 6,607,142 MEDICAL RESEARCH 345,750 The Cambridge Foundation 50,000 Research into multiple sclerosis Imperial College 15,000 Research into liver failure Institute of Cancer Research 150,000 Research into personalised cancer treatments Papworth Hospital Charity 100,000 Heart Research Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation 9,750 Research into lung cancer Tommy s 21,000 Research into foetal growth restrictions SUPPORTING VULNERABLE PEOPLE 938,250 Aspire 35,000 Upgrading communications technology equipment for people with spinal cord injuries Beanstalk 32,000 Provision of literary support for children in care Blind Veterans UK 50,000 Refurbishment project to update residential accommodation with space for modern wheelchairs and specialist equipment British Red Cross 50,000 Emergency response vehicle for the Norfolk region Centrepoint 100,000 Rolling out the Centrepoint Partnering Project across the country Crisis 30,000 Housing project for homeless people Henshaw s College for the Blind 50,000 Salary of an assistive technologist and for technological improvements KIDS 36,000 Salary of a School Liaison Officer for disabled children with challenging behaviour Lake District Calvert Trust 30,250 Salary of an instructor at an outdoor activity centre for severely disabled people Leonard Cheshire Disability 40,000 Refurbishment of a residential home for people with disabilities Maytree Respite Centre 30,000 Residential therapeutic intervention for actively suicidal people Multiple Sclerosis Trust 40,000 Specialist information for people who are newly diagnosed with MS Priors Court Foundation 100,000 Development of specially designed residential flats to enable young people with severe autism to adjust to living independently Queen Elizabeth Foundation 50,000 Building of a state-of-the-art group home to enable young disabled people to develop their independent living skills Riding for the Disabled Association 75,000 Volunteer development programme Royal Voluntary Service 50,000 Good neighbours service for vulnerable older people Treloar s 45,000 Specially adapted minibus to enable severely disabled students to be transported in large electric powered wheelchairs Vitalise 20,000 Specialised holiday breaks for sufferers and carers of people with Alzheimer s Winston s Wish 25,000 Supporting the national suicide programme, which delivers a year of support for children and families affected by a suicide Young Epilepsy 50,000 Funding for the Epilepsy Education for Schools Programme, which helps young people with epilepsy who are underachieving academically YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES 112,000 Army Cadet Force Outreach Programme 30,000 Outreach courses for disadvantaged children Canterbury Cathedral Trust 22,000 Stonemasonry apprenticeship for a disadvantaged young person The Conservation Volunteers 20,000 Pre-employment training programme in practical outdoor skills for disadvantaged young people aged Happy Days Children s Charity 20,000 Day trips for children with special needs Marine Society & Sea Cadets 20,000 Bursary scheme enabling disadvantaged young people to experience offshore and onshore training with Sea Cadets OTHER GRANTS 953,900 Air Ambulances 192, air ambulance and equivalent rescue services Hospice Services 600, hospices Matched Funding 44,900 Nine Provincial Grand Lodges participated in 2013 Minor Grants 95,000 Grants of 5,000 or less to 31 smaller charities Religious Buildings 22,000 Manchester Cathedral, St Paul s Cathedral, Llandaff Cathedral, St Mary de Castro EMERGENCY GRANTS FOR DISASTER RELIEF 95,000 Flooding in India 35,000 British Red Cross Flooding in North Wales 10,000 Provincial Grand Lodge of North Wales Typhoon in the Philippines 50,000 British Red Cross NON-MASONIC GRANTS TOTAL 2,444,900 MASONIC RELIEF GRANTS TOTAL 4,162,242 Assistance for individuals in financial need* 3,729,127 TBF payments 433,115 * Not including refunds Support for smaller charities Mike s Story Helping to rebuild lives Saving lives in emergency situations The Minor Grants Programme provides an opportunity to support smaller charities that are carrying out vital work. Grants ranging from 1,000-5,000 are allocated every year to support smaller charities. With many charities experiencing cuts to their income in recent years, the Grand Charity s Minor Grants programme has become even more relevant. I had my own business for nearly a decade, but was forced to declare bankruptcy last year when the credit crunch finally took its toll. I didn t know where to turn, so decided to talk things over with my Lodge Almoner. He helped me submit an application to the Grand Charity, and much to my surprise they completely understood the complexity of my financial situation. I was awarded an emergency grant, helping me to move my family into rented accommodation and cover my immediate costs. That money was a life-saver, and at no point was I made to feel bad for asking for support. The help I have received has made me even more proud to be a Freemason. When disasters occur throughout the world the Grand Charity can be called upon to provide emergency relief. These grants are made at the discretion of the President of the Grand Charity and seek to help the victims of floods, earthquakes, famines and other terrible events worldwide. Since 1981, over 2.4 million has been given towards relief efforts following natural disasters. Since 2007, every air ambulance charity in England and Wales has received funding from the Grand Charity over 1.3 million in total. Freemasons are passionate about supporting air ambulance charities because they save thousands of lives each year, and rely almost exclusively on charitable donations. During 2013, 192,000 was distributed to 22 rescue services.