Cheshire Freemasons' Charity

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £200,000+
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Contact required for specific timelines
• Grant Range: £3,000 - £30,000 (based on recent awards)
• Geographic Focus: Cheshire region (local focus)

Contact Details

Website: www.cheshiremasons.co.uk / cheshirefreemasons.org.uk

Email: cfcsecretary@cheshiremasons.co.uk

Phone: 0161 980 6090

Provincial Office: pgsec@cheshiremasons.co.uk | 07719902289

Address: 36 Clay Lane, Timperley, Altrincham, WA15 7AB

Overview

The Cheshire Freemasons' Charity (CFC, registered charity 219177) operates under the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cheshire, governed by bylaws adopted in 1979 and amended in 2012. The charity distributes over £200,000 annually to local charities across Cheshire, with the broader Cheshire Freemasons organization contributing over £1 million each year to charitable causes. Founded to support Freemasons in need and their families, the charity has expanded its mission to include grants to both Masonic and non-Masonic charities. The charity is run independently by trustees elected annually at the AGM, with all funds coming exclusively from Freemasons of Cheshire—no public fundraising occurs. In 2025, to mark the Province's tercentenary (300 years), CFC made a special distribution of £300,000 to ten charities through grants of £30,000 each. The charity is currently supporting a Festival Appeal ending in 2027 with a target of £3.5 million, which is expected to return over £6 million in local support to Cheshire.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Standard Local Grants: £200,000+ distributed annually to local charities (specific amounts vary)

Tercentenary Grants: £30,000 each (special 2025 initiative - ten charities awarded)

Application Method: Nominations typically made by local lodge members; charities may also contact the charity directly

Priority Areas

The charity focuses on supporting local Cheshire charities in the following areas:

• Hospices and end-of-life care
• Youth and children's organizations
• Mental health services and suicide prevention
• Foodbanks and poverty relief
• Medical research and healthcare
• Domestic abuse support and refuges
• Community wellbeing and social inclusion
• Heritage and community hubs
• Services for people with learning disabilities
• Bereavement support

CFC particularly values charities with critical funding needs and those delivering maximum impact in local communities.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly detailed. Applicants should contact the charity directly to confirm eligibility.

Ready to write a winning application for Cheshire Freemasons' Charity?

Our AI helps you craft proposals that match their exact priorities. Save 10+ hours and increase your success rate.

Get Free Beta Access

Governance and Leadership

Provincial Grand Master: David Dyson - Head of Freemasonry in Cheshire, appointed by HRH the Duke of Kent, Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE)

Governance Structure: Independent charity run by trustees elected annually at the AGM, supported by the Provincial Grand Master and leadership team

Governing Documents: Bylaws of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cheshire including Cheshire Provincial Fund of Benevolence Constitution adopted 6 October 1979, as amended 3 October 2012 and 4 December 2012

David Dyson's Commitment: “David confirmed his commitment on behalf of all Cheshire Freemasons to continue to support Local and National good causes during these testing times and beyond.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The application process for external charities is not fully detailed on public channels. Based on research:

1. Nomination Route: Charities are often nominated by Brethren and Companions (Freemasons) within the local area to ensure the most needy and worthwhile causes are supported
2. Direct Contact: Charities can contact the Provincial Office directly to discuss potential funding opportunities
3. MCF Route: For certain grant programs, external charities may apply through the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) online portal at mcf.org.uk

Contact for Applications:

• Email: cfcsecretary@cheshiremasons.co.uk or pgsec@cheshiremasons.co.uk
• Phone: 0161 980 6090 or 07719902289

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines for Cheshire Freemasons' Charity grants are not publicly available. For context, the related MCF grants typically take:

• Expression of Interest Response: 2 weeks
• Small Grant Decisions: 2-3 months from full application
• Large Grant Decisions: 3-4 months from full application

Applicants should contact CFC directly to confirm timelines.

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. The charity distributes over £200,000 annually across multiple organizations, suggesting selective but meaningful grant-making.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified. Charities should contact the Provincial Office for guidance on reapplication policies.

Application Success Factors

Nomination Advantage

Charities nominated by local Freemasons appear to have an advantage in the selection process. Building relationships with local lodges may be beneficial, as “nominations are made by Brethren and Companions within the area to ensure the most needy and worthwhile local causes are supported.”

Demonstrated Local Impact

Recent grants show preference for charities delivering tangible community impact in Cheshire. The charity seeks organizations that provide “maximum effect for each contribution.”

Critical Funding Need

The charity specifically mentions supporting causes with “critical funding needs,” suggesting preference for organizations where CFC funding will make a significant difference.

Recent Grant Examples

Understanding recent funding patterns can help applicants position their work effectively. The 2025 Tercentenary grants (£30,000 each) went to:

• Wirral Hospice St John's - Adult hospice providing compassionate care for patients with life-limiting illnesses
• The Underground Training Station (UTS Foundation) - Free structured coaching and wellbeing sessions for vulnerable groups
• Cheshire Without Abuse (MyCWA) - Domestic abuse charity; funding enabled deposit for debut refuge
• Chester Cathedral - Supporting roles as place of worship, heritage site, and community hub
• Let's Farm - Community project for individuals with learning disabilities on a working farm near Winsford
• The Christie Charity - Contribution towards Total Body PET-CT imaging facility
• PAPYRUS - Warrington-based organization dedicated to preventing youth suicide

Additional recent grants include:

• St Ann's Hospice: £3,430
• Elsies Moon (pregnancy loss bereavement): £2,000
• Cheshire Without Abuse: £5,000 (separate award)

Application Tips

1. Make direct contact: The charity appears to operate through relationship-based grant-making rather than formal open applications
2. Emphasize local impact: Demonstrate how your work directly benefits Cheshire communities
3. Show critical need: Articulate why CFC funding is essential to your work
4. Build relationships: Consider connecting with local Masonic lodges who may nominate your organization
5. Be specific about use of funds: Recent grants show preference for specific projects or capital needs (e.g., refuge deposit, imaging equipment)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Relationship-driven funding: CFC operates primarily through nominations from local Freemasons rather than open application rounds, making relationship-building essential
• Local focus is paramount: All funding prioritizes Cheshire-based charities serving local communities; demonstrate deep community roots
• Direct contact recommended: Reach out to the Provincial Office (cfcsecretary@cheshiremasons.co.uk or 0161 980 6090) to discuss funding opportunities before submitting a formal proposal
• Significant grants available: Recent awards range from £2,000 to £30,000, with the charity distributing £200,000+ annually
• Diverse funding priorities: The charity supports a broad range of causes from healthcare to youth services, mental health, and community wellbeing
• Critical need matters: Position your request around specific, tangible impacts where CFC funding will make a measurable difference
• No public fundraising burden: The charity's funding comes entirely from Freemasons, so you won't be competing with public donation campaigns

References

1. Charity Commission - CHESHIRE FREEMASONS' CHARITY (219177). Retrieved from: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=219177
2. Cheshire Freemasons - Making An Impact. Retrieved from: https://cheshirefreemasons.org.uk/making-an-impact/
3. Cheshire Freemasons - Engaged in Our Communities. Retrieved from: https://cheshirefreemasons.org.uk/engaged-in-our-community/
4. Charity Today News (2025). “Cheshire Freemasons Celebrate Tercentenary with £300,000 Grant to Ten Charities”. Retrieved from: https://www.charitytoday.co.uk/cheshire-freemasons-celebrate-tercentenary-with-300000-grant-to-ten-charities/
5. Chester Standard (2025). “Cheshire Freemasons donate £30k to domestic abuse charity”. Retrieved from: https://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/24919670.cheshire-freemasons-donate-30k-cheshire-without-abuse/
6. St Ann's Hospice (2018). "St Ann's funding from Cheshire Freemasons". Retrieved from: https://www.sah.org.uk/2018/03/16/cheshire-freemasons-funding/
7. Masonic Charitable Foundation - Cheshire Freemasons Charity. Retrieved from: https://mcf.org.uk/appeal/cheshire-freemasons-charity/
8. Masonic Charitable Foundation - Grants to Charities FAQs. Retrieved from: https://mcf.org.uk/get-support/grants-to-charities/faqs/

All sources accessed: January 2025