The Grand Master, in his Annual Investiture address last April, referred to “Charity remains central to our lives as Masons ..”. In this new Millennium, we need to continue to act on this, primarily acting in unity within our Lodge.

True Friendship & Charitable Giving

THE BENEVOLENT FUND of the LODGE

In True Friendship we are very fortunate that the Lodge, following its’ return to UK, in 1976 established a Benevolent Fund. As the start Moines came from the St John Fund, used for charitable giving in India, the full title of our fund is “The Lodge of True Friendship No. 218 Benevolent Fund (Incorporating St John Fund)”. For simplicity, call it the TF-BF.

The TF-BF is governed under the rules of a Trust Deed and its Trustees are 4 senior members appointed by the Lodge; the Charity Steward acts as their administrator for the Fund.

The aims given in the deed can be summarized as “the relief of poverty and benefit of the Masonic institutions and charities or other charities as the Lodge directs”.

The Main Masonic Charities – An introduction

The main aim of our TF Benevolent Fund is to donate support to the 4 main Masonic Charities. In subsequent Newsletters there will be more detail on each, but first, a feel for what they do and why we support them.

Grand Charity

The Grand Charity is the central grant giving charity of all Freemasons in the English Constitution. Thus, it is the main means by which Freemasons’ giving is channeled to:

- Masonic Petitioners in distressed circumstances;

- Support to Other Masonic charities;

- Aid for Non-Masonic charities and disaster appeals.

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution

The RMBI provides welfare and care facilities for disabled and elderly Masons and their near relatives. It owns 19 homes that provide accommodation for 1,150 residents and small annuities (£1000) are made to support 2,600 others.

New Masonic Samaritan Fund

The NMSF (the successor to the Royal Masonic Hospital) is aimed to help sick and needy Masons. It arranges medical assistance for applicants who demonstrate a financial need and who are otherwise unable to obtain treatment on the NHS without undue delay or hardship.

Masonic Trust for Boys & Girls

The objects of the MTBG are to relieve poverty and advance education of children of Freemasons who are in need. The aim is to provide the same opportunity to the child had family death or other misfortune not occurred.

NB: Arranging Relief from one of these 4 charities is started by contacting the Almoner or Charity Steward – it is completely confidential.

QUESTIONS to the CHARITY STEWARD

Why Use the Benevolent Fund for My Charity?

The TF-BF by virtue of being a charitable trust, and thus registered with the Charity Commissioners and Inland Revenue, is exempt tax on its income, able to claim relief on donations and can invest in high interest bearing charitable accounts. If you pay any tax at all, your donation per £1-00 creates £1-28.2 after I put in for its 22% tax relief. Meanwhile, if you pay any tax at the higher rate, you can also claw back 18% relief (i.e. 40 – 22) in your allowance. Moreover, irrespective of your tax status I can invest it to get 6% tax-exempt interest. So, it gets more for less!!

OK – so what’s the drawback in using the TF-BF?

There is only one limitation in these types of Trust Funds, in that monies cannot be used directly for the benefit of the members, their families or connections. However, this would only be a problem if the Lodge had no other Funds for our possible needs, but we also maintain an Alms Fund, which has no such restrictions. Thus, we’ve no drawbacks.

Haven’t we all agreed the need for Charity as Masons?

Indeed we have, for Charity is both written into the constitution of Freemasonry and reinforced to candidates in our ceremonies. So it may seem unnecessary to remind anyone that Charitable acts and relief should remain our primary aims as a Mason. Unfortunately, we all are forgetful characters and we need some prompting, as well as someone to take on the tasks involved in getting us doing it regularly.

What are the limits on giving monies nowadays?

After April 00, there are no legal limits on Gift Aid, thus removing the old “single donation” restriction. The only one that may affect us is the lower limit (£36.00 per annum) set for contributions into the GL Relief Chest scheme. This is purely to keep down the administration costs (which are all borne by the Grand Charity, none by us) by setting a lower practical limit to avoid hosts of minor sum donations. For RPPs that go into our own Bank account (by standing order) I do the administration, so there is no lower limit. Neither is there for all other forms of Gift Aid I can deal with.

What has happened about covenants – are they dead?

Not exactly dead, but replaced. In this last year the Government revised the gift-giving rules, primarily to encourage us to give more. One aspect of the changes on Gift Aid donation is to replace the strict requirements on covenanted giving (length of term, prescribed format) with easier, simpler rules on regular payment promises (RPPs) which are less restrictive. So, old covenants can run their course whilst new regular giving will be by RPP for Gift Aid.

Why should I not make contributions direct to the charity of my choice?

You could if you wish, either in place of or in addition to any that you make to the TF-BF. You will be sometimes prompted to this when you see publicity from the main or minor charities encouraging us all as individuals to give. Mostly this is aimed at the members of Lodges who do not have the advantage of their own Benevolent Fund or do not already have set up a Relief Chest; they do not have the tax and high interest advantages we have. True Friendship is not alone in having, for many years now, directed its’ giving at a collective level, thereby gaining leverage by pulling together. Moreover, the ‘Festival Rotation Scheme’ – which you will hear about in later Newsletters – is used by Grand Lodge to keep all 4 main charities pulling up on an even keel as they require funds. For donations to more local or other non-Masonic charities, it does best to put these together into as large a lump as we can – not only to allow us to bring evidence before the public to see that Masonry is charitable but also to assist the recipient by reducing their administrative burden. Thus, directed through the TF-BF your giving will then be of most value, make most impact and be in tune with the precepts of the Masonic movement.

So how can I make my Gift Aid donations to Charity?

Easiest for the Charity Steward and cheapest for the Lodge is to make out a Regular Payment Promise to credit the Lodge’s Relief Chest held at Grand Lodge. It can be monthly or yearly, and is advised to be renewable after 3, 4 or 5 years. It is effected by Direct Debit instruction on your bank whilst the GL RC keep me up to date with its start, yearly statement and tax recovered (if applicable).

If you do not like direct debits, a simple RPP form can be made out to credit the Benevolent Fund by Standing Order into our TF-BF bank account. Otherwise, small or large single donations for Gift Aid can be made – these only require a very simple form to be signed to register the gift and allow me to regain tax where possible. Please let me know if you need any advice – it’s free & confidential

Have you anything to give in the cause of Charity?

You did say you would.

Have you checked the status of your giving?