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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: [email protected]

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

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.

<CLICK NOW FOR NEXT SLIDE>

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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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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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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

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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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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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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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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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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.


SLIDE 9: Financial Support

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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.


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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

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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.


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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

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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.


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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

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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.


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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.


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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

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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.


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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.


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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:


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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.


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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

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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.


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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.

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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.


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Conclusion

The Masonic Charitable Foundation marks a new era in the long and

proud history of Masonic charity that builds the legacy of the four

predecessor charities over recent years and allows us to go further.:

I hope you agree that the Masonic Charitable Foundation will serve the

needs of the Masonic family well and I would like to finish today by

reminding you all of why the Foundation exists, by reading a letter from

Peter, a Freemason who knows all too well about our work.

“To all at the Foundation,

I would like to thank you for all that you have done for me and my

family. Everything happened at once. My wife was diagnosed

with ovarian cancer and she became so ill she was unable to work.

Soon after, I was made redundant on health grounds due to a

degenerative eye condition.

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We had no jobs, no money coming in at all and my wife was

undergoing chemotherapy. As you can imagine, it was a very

tough, very frightening time for us all and it truly felt like there was

no light at the end of the tunnel. And to add to our worries, our

daughter Katie was starting university and we were anxious that

we wouldn’t be able to support her.

The grants that the Foundation have provided for us have taken

away the financial pressure we were facing so that we can

concentrate on my wife’s fight against cancer. She is still

undergoing treatment but it makes a huge difference to not have to

worry about how we’re going to pay the bills. As for Katie, the

annual scholarship and laptop you have provided for her have

meant that she has been able to focus on her studies at university

and I am proud to tell you she is doing really well.

Thanks to the Masonic Charitable Foundation, we now feel like we

have a future to look forward to. The service has been wonderful

and very professional, and the staff have made sure we are looked

after. I’ve been a Mason for over 20 years and I would definitely

recommend Brethren who are in need of support to apply.

Yours sincerely and fraternally,

Peter

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With your continuing support, the Masonic Charitable Foundation can

build on the legacy established by the separate charities and transform

the lives of even more people like Peter and his family. Thank you again

for inviting me to speak to you all.

<CLICK NOW FOR CLOSING SLIDE>

SLIDE 21: Closing slide

END

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