MCF Standard Presentation 30 Mins

MCF Standard Presentation – 30 mins

How to use this script

This script will enable you to deliver an accurate and up-to-date presentation about the work of the Masonic Charitable Foundation.

The presentation is suitable for a range of events including Lodge meetings, white table events and training seminars.

Delivering this presentation should take approximately 25-30 minutes.

Please feel free to make small adjustments to the text to reflect your speaking style whilst retaining the core content.

If you have any questions, please contact the Communications Department on 020 3146 3333 or email:

Thank you for delivering this presentation on behalf of the Masonic Charitable Foundation.

SLIDE 1: Introduction

Good morning / afternoon / evening. My name is XXXXX XXXXX and I am delighted to have this opportunity to talk to you about the exciting changes that have happened within Masonic charity.

The launch of the Masonic Charitable Foundation marks a new and exciting era in the long and proud history of Masonic charity.

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SLIDE 2: The separate charities

The Foundation brings together the life-changing work of four central Masonic Charities which operated separately and provided specific types of support for Freemasons, their families and the wider community from the 18th century. These predecessor charities are: The Freemasons’ Grand Charity, the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys, the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution and the Masonic Samaritan Fund.

While the four separate charities carried out excellent work,the way they worked was confusing to the applicant. Families faced with financial, health, educational and care needs could easily be faced with having to apply for support from all four charities – a potentially daunting and confusing prospect.

Ultimately the intention is to make it easier for beneficiaries to access the support they need.

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SLIDE 3: Logo

Just as the logo of the Foundation depicts a charitable heart at the centre of the new UGLE logo, it is intended that the Foundation will become firmly established at the heart of Freemasonry.

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SLIDE 4: What the Foundation provides

So, what does the Foundation provide?

Whether advice or financial grants, the Masonic Charitable Foundation is determined to make support easier to access. Bringing the four charities together has improved the service offered to Freemasons and their families by providing a single point of contact and a consistent application process. As a result it is fully expected that the level of demand for support will increase.

At the same time, steps are being taken to improve the support provided to the Masonic community including guidance for Almoners, Charity Stewards and Festival fundraisers.

Bringing the charities together has created a sizeable organisation within the UK charity sector – one which should be widely recognised and which should have a significant voice. There are very few charities that operate across such a broad spectrum of support. Many tend to focus on one area whereas the Foundation provides whole life support to the Masonic community, from cradle to grave.

I hope you will agree that all in all this is a very exciting time for Masonic charity and for Freemasonry in general.

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SLIDE 5: Support for Freemasons and their Families

In the last year, over £15 million of support has been provided to over 5,000 Freemasons and family members. This is a significant number of people, but we know we can still do more. Can anyone here - hand on heart - say that no one has missed out on support because they were unaware of the help available? As I have said, the Foundation has been designed to be simpler and more efficient to make it easier for Freemasons and their families to access support.But it is down to all of us to work harder to get the message out about the support that is available.

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SLIDE 6: Mission Statement

The Foundation’s mission is: “To build better lives by enabling opportunity, advancing healthcare and education, and promoting independence for Freemasons, their families and the wider community.” It pursues its mission in two ways. The first way is the provision of a wide range of financial grants and practical support for Freemasons and their families who have a financial, health or family-related need.

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SLIDE 7: Every situation is unique

The Freemasons and families supported by the Foundation have usually experienced a life-changing event that has adversely impacted their household income and quality of life. For example redundancy, a medical diagnosis, family breakdown, a change in care needs or the death of a spouse. Every person’s situation is unique and all applications are considered.

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SLIDE 8: Criteria

So, what are the criteria?

To be eligible for a grant, applicants must demonstrate their need for support along with a strong family connection to a Freemason under the United Grand Lodge of England. The Freemason does not necessarily need to be a subscribing member, but he must have joined before the need for support arose. Eligible family members include the married or life partners of Freemasons, as well as their children, stepchildren and grandchildren who are under the age of 25 and in full-time education. Support can also be provided after the Freemason has passed away. The primary requirement is that the person for whom help is required must be financially or physically dependent on a Freemason or his estate.

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SLIDE 9: Financial Support

A range of financial support is available.

Daily living grants help those unable to afford essential everyday costs, for example household bills, food or expenditure related to raising a child. Grants are provided to top up other sources of income so that households can afford their essential outgoings. In addition, a reasonable allowance is added for leisure activities to ensure quality of life and happiness while also enabled active participation in society.

Following a sudden personal crisis such as an accident or redundancy, support can be provided to reduce the immediate hardship that follows. Additionally, grants can be made to cover unexpected costs such as funeral bills and minor home repairs.

SLIDE 10: Health

Other specific grants are related to a range of health and care needs.

Where a Freemason or family member with a diagnosed medical or dental need faces a lengthy wait through the NHS and cannot easily afford the cost of going private, a grant can be provided to cover some or all of the cost.

With minor exceptions, any treatment or surgery that is licensed by the NHS will be considered where there is a diagnosed medical or dental need.

And to help those with mobility issues to retain their independence, grants are available for mobility aids such as scooters and powered wheelchairs, and home adaptations including stairlifts, entry ramps and car hoists.

Alongside grants for physical needs, the Foundation also provides access to a Counselling Careline to support the emotional well-being of Freemasons and their families. The Careline can support those who are experiencing depression or anxiety, as well as those who may be simply going through a difficult time in their life due to workplace pressures, bereavement, family breakdown, financial hardship or illness. The Careline is a confidential, free helpline operated by an independent firm guidance.

SLIDE 11: Family – Children and young people

Children are often the innocent victims of family or other events. The added pressure on the family can put their quality of life and happiness at risk, as well as their ability to access opportunities and meet their full potential.

For families who are receiving daily living grants, the Foundation can also provide grants to make sure children in full-time education can continue their education without disruption and meet their full potential despite difficulties they may be experiencing at home. The full or partial cost of items such as computers, printers and school uniforms can also be covered, as well as specialist tuition and extra-curricular activities so that children have access to the same resources as their peers. If necessary, support for a child’s education can be provided from nursery all the way through to university when scholarships and accommodation grants can be awarded. The Foundation can also enable young people to undertake once in a lifetime educational travel or volunteering, and can support exceptional talent in sport, music or the performing arts.

In very exceptional circumstances, the Foundation will pay private school fees, but this will only ever be when something significant has happened to the family and it is important to ensure the child can complete their education without any further disruption.

SLIDE 12: Family – Care

The Foundation can also support a wide range of care needs. In cases where a full-time carer is in need of a break from their duties for their own physical and mental wellbeing, respite care grants can help meet the cost of short-term residential breaks, domiciliary care in an individual’s own home or visits to day centres. Respite is vital to provide support and relief for those caring for family members. For older members of the Masonic community, there are also a limited number of short sea-side breaks to give individuals currently supported by the charity, or who are nominated by their Province, some time away from their usual routine.

For those with more permanent care needs, the Foundation provides Masonic care homes and other services at 17 locations across England and Wales that offer residential and nursing care. All provide specialist support for those living with dementia. The Homes care for older Freemasons and their families with over 1,000 people currently supported. Those members of the Masonic community who choose to live in one of the Homes have the security of knowing that they have a home for life, even if their financial circumstances change for the worse.

SLIDE 13: AST and Summary of support

So, the Foundation provides a wide range of grants for Freemasons and their families experiencing a financial, health or family need. But the support provided goes far beyond financial grants. Members of the Masonic family at any age can also draw on the expertise of the Advice & Support Team who offer confidential, impartial and practical guidance about the help available and the application process. The Team operate in the community and work closely with Provinces and Lodge Almoners and treat every case with sympathy, tact and sensitivity. They can visit people at home, speak on the telephone and send information by email or post. They can also help with applications for state and local authority benefits, provide advice about care and can recommend other organisations that may be able to provide further assistance.

SLIDE 14: The Application Process

Application Process

The application process is simple and easy to follow. Any Freemason or family member in need may either contact their Lodge Almoner or get in touch with the Foundation directly. After the initial contact, the Foundation’s response will be to arrange a visit from a member of the Advice & Support Team or a local Freemason who will help to complete an application form. An outcome will be decided within a matter of weeks and communicated to the applicant.

The first part of my talk today was to explain how the Masonic Charitable Foundation pursues its mission by supporting Freemasons and their families. I have covered a lot in a short time, but I hope it is clear that there is a wide range of financial support and practical advice available and if you or someone you know needs help, I urge you- please contact your Lodge Almoner or the charity directly, or visit the charity’s website (mcf.org.uk) for more information.

I must stress again how important it is that you help the Foundation to get the message out to the widest possible audience. We are all assistants to our Lodge Almoners, and you are the eyes and ears of Masonic charity in this Province and by talking about the Foundation, you can make a huge difference by encouraging those in need of support to pick up the phone and get in touch.

SLIDE 15: Community Support and Research

But let me now refer back to the charity’s mission.

You will recall that the second way that this is achieved is by looking beyond Freemasonry, making significant financial grants to charitable projects and services in the wider community which help people to live happy, fulfilling lives and participate actively in society.

SLIDE 16: Community and Research Grants awarded

In recent years, Freemasons have provided support amounting to over £100 million to charities across England and Wales and overseas in response to natural disasters. The Foundation continues this legacy by awarding grants to other charities that provide support in several areas, specifically:

SLIDE 17: Community and Research Grant types

Financial hardship for those in poverty, debt or unemployment
Health and disability for people experiencing chronic or life-limiting conditions and disabilities
Education and employability for disadvantaged children and young people; and
Social exclusion and disadvantage for those facing barriers to participating in society

Additionally, the Foundation provides funding to advance research into medical conditions, diseases and disabilities.

SLIDE 18: Other grants

Funding is also provided to hospices throughout England and Wales, air ambulance and rescue services and worldwide disaster relief appeals.

Alongside the thousands of people helped by Charity Grants, the Foundation has also positively impacted the lives of around 9,000 life-limited, disabled children through support for Lifelites, a charity which provides educational and fun technology packages for every baby and children’s hospice in the British Isles. The packages include interactive Magic Carpets, touchscreen computers and adapted iPads that allow children in the hospices, and their families, to learn, play and communicate.

Founded as a Masonic initiative, Lifelites has become a well-established charity in its own right and raises funds from Freemasons and other sources. The Masonic Charitable Foundation helps by providing office premises and other services meaning Lifelites can focus on delivering its life-enhancing technology.

The charities supported by the Foundation make a significant and lasting difference to people in need. The Charity Grants seek to benefit as many people as possible and further those causes about which Freemasons and their families are most concerned, because without the generosity of the Masonic community, none of this would be possible.

SLIDE 19: Festivals and Fundraising

The Provincial Festival system is at the heart of the Masonic Charitable Foundation’s fundraising. Each year, four Provinces hold a Festival to celebrate their achievement in raising funds for the charity’s work. During the years leading up to the Festival, fundraising events and activities take place that make a significant contribution to the charity’s income.

There are many ways to fundraise, including sponsored challenges and social events. It’s important to put the ‘fun’ into ‘fundraising’ – recent events have included a record breaking drumroll, parachute jumps and even sponsored weight loss! The Foundation has an excellent team who can support fundraising endeavours so try to be creative and have fun while raising money for a great cause.

Fundraisers are encouraged to make use of the Relief Chest Scheme so that they can claim back tax paid on eligible donations through Gift Aid.

Additionally, many Freemasons and their families choose to support the Foundation even if their own Province is not holding a Festival Appeal. Donations can be made online, via telephone, via text or simply by sending a cheque.

Legacy gifts also make an important contribution to the funding of the charity. Every gift, large or small, can help to make a difference to Freemasons and their families across England and Wales.

As I have said, the Foundation relies exclusively on the generous donations of Freemasons and their families and the charity is extremely grateful to those who make their life-changing work possible.