Durham Freemasons Charity

Charity Number: 279313

Annual Expenditure: £0.3M

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Quick Stats

  • Registered Charity Number: 279313
  • Annual Giving: £315,648 (2024)
  • Total Assets: Over £8 million
  • Grant Range: £500 - £13,500
  • Average Grant: £2,312 (2016/17 data)
  • Geographic Focus: Durham, Sunderland, Gateshead, Darlington, Hartlepool, County Durham
  • Decision Timeline: Quarterly committee meetings (4 times per year)

Contact Details

Address: 8 The Esplanade, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SR2 7BH

Phone: 0191 567 5365

Email:

  • General enquiries: enquiries@durhamfreemasons.org
  • Benevolence matters: benevolence@durhamfreemasons.org

Website: https://durhamfreemasons.org

Online Donations: https://donate.givetap.co.uk/d/ke4i9yrg

Overview

Durham Freemasons Charity (registered 03 March 1980) is a well-established charitable organization with assets exceeding £8 million. The charity has a dual mission: relieving poor and distressed Freemasons and their dependants, while also providing substantial support to local charities and community organizations across Durham, Sunderland, and surrounding areas. In 2024, the charity had a total income of £524,349 (with £417,219 from investments and £106,943 from donations/legacies) and charitable expenditure of £315,648. The charity maintains remarkably low administrative costs due to volunteer contributions from dedicated Freemasons and professional staff at the Provincial office. In 2016/17, 71% of income (£182,693) supported community organizations through 79 grants. The charity also operates two residential housing properties in Fulwell, Sunderland and Bishop Auckland, enabling people to live independently in safe, secure environments.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Support Grants - Amount not specified

Rolling application process via downloadable application form. Supports extremely worthy causes in local communities including scout groups, youth clubs, churches, hospices, bands, and colleges.

Education Grants - Amount not specified

Supports educational pursuits for eligible applicants. Application form available through the charity's website.

Short Term Emergency Grants - Amount not specified

Provides rapid assistance for individuals facing urgent financial difficulties. Primarily for Freemasons and their dependants but may extend to wider community in exceptional circumstances.

Youth Fund Support Grants - Amount not specified

Dedicated to supporting youth organizations and programs benefiting young people across the Province.

Masonic Group Break Applications - Amount not specified

Supports group breaks and convalescent breaks for Freemasons and their families.

Priority Areas

  • Youth Development: Scout groups, explorer units, youth clubs, and organizations serving young people
  • Health & Wellbeing: Hospices, mental health charities, medical equipment, community defibrillators
  • Community Facilities: Community halls, equipment for community groups, playschools
  • Special Needs & Disability: Organizations supporting disabled children and adults, including specialized programs like hippotherapy
  • Education: Student support, educational equipment, and learning programs
  • Social Welfare: Support for vulnerable populations including grandparents raising grandchildren, elderly care

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the charity's focus is clearly on:

  • Organizations within their geographic area (Durham Province)
  • Projects demonstrating clear community benefit
  • Applications that align with Masonic values of service and community support
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Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership

Provincial Grand Master: John Thompson (installed June 25, 2022; appointed Assistant Grand Master April 2025)

Deputy Provincial Grand Master & Chair of Durham Freemasons Charity: John David Watts (appointed January 2024)

John Watts has been instrumental in charitable partnerships, stating about their Prince's Trust collaboration: “What we have experienced so far in our first round of funding is wonderful. Not only do we get to support a great charity, but we get to see and engage with the young people involved firsthand.”

Assistant Provincial Grand Master: Dr. Rakesh Bhalla, PAGDC (appointed January 2024, responsible for North West of Province)

Governance Structure

  • 1 Trustee (formal registration)
  • 28 Volunteers
  • Benevolent Committee: Representatives from every Lodge across the Province
  • No trustee remuneration
  • Strong volunteer governance model

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Application Forms Available: Durham Freemasons Charity provides multiple application forms accessible through:

Application Types:

  • Community Support Grants Application Form
  • Education Grants Application Form
  • Short Term Emergency Grant Application Form
  • Youth Fund Support Grant Application
  • Masonic Group Break Application Form
  • Convalescent Break Application Form

Application Method: Download the relevant form, complete it, and submit to the charity at the address provided or via email to benevolence@durhamfreemasons.org

Decision Timeline

Committee Meetings: The Benevolent Committee meets four times per year (quarterly) to review applications and approve grants.

Processing Time: Applications are reviewed at the next available quarterly committee meeting. Exact timelines depend on submission date relative to meeting schedule.

Emergency Grants: Short term emergency grants may be processed more rapidly for urgent cases, though specific timelines are not publicly stated.

Success Rates

In 2016/17, the charity made 79 grants totaling £182,693, with an average grant value of £2,312. While overall success rates are not published, the charity demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting community organizations, having distributed hundreds of thousands of pounds over the years.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication restrictions are mentioned. Organizations can apply for different projects or renewed support, subject to available funds and committee approval.

Application Success Factors

Evidence from Funded Projects

Durham Freemasons Charity has supported diverse projects including:

Scout Groups:

  • 7th South Shields Scout Group received funding for hall improvements serving almost 100 young people weekly
  • Jarrow Scout Group received £500 for desperately needed equipment for Beavers
  • 1st Barnard Castle Explorer Scouts Unit received £1,300 for a France battlefield expedition

Youth & Mental Health:

  • More Than Grandparents received £13,500 (MCF grant) supporting grandparents raising grandchildren with emotional difficulties from early years trauma
  • Building Self Belief received support for young people's mental health and wellbeing

Community Projects:

  • West Boldon Lodge Forest Playschool received funding
  • Butterwick Hospice received £500
  • Various community defibrillator installations

Key Success Factors

  1. Clear Community Impact: Applications demonstrating tangible benefits to local communities, particularly in County Durham and Sunderland
  2. Youth Focus: Projects serving young people appear particularly well-supported
  3. Equipment Needs: Grants for specific equipment purchases (scouts gear, medical equipment, community facilities)
  4. Masonic Connection: While not required for community grants, connections through local Lodges may facilitate awareness of your organization
  5. Volunteer-Led Organizations: Groups demonstrating strong volunteer involvement align with the charity's own volunteer ethos
  6. Provincial Focus: Organizations operating within the Durham Freemasons Province boundaries

Application Tips

  • Be specific about funding needs and how the grant will be used
  • Demonstrate clear community benefit and number of beneficiaries
  • Highlight if your organization serves youth, vulnerable populations, or provides health/welfare support
  • Provide evidence of community need for your project
  • Show how the grant will make a tangible difference

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Dual-purpose charity: Supports both Freemasons/dependants AND community organizations - don't be deterred if you're not affiliated with Freemasonry
  • Quarterly decisions: Plan submissions around quarterly committee meetings; don't expect immediate decisions
  • Average grants around £2,300: Budget requests in the £500-£5,000 range appear most typical, though larger grants (up to £13,500) have been awarded
  • Youth organizations favored: Strong track record supporting scouts, youth clubs, and programs benefiting young people
  • Geographic specificity matters: Focus is clearly on Durham Province - ensure your project serves this area
  • Equipment grants work well: Many successful grants fund specific equipment needs rather than general operating costs
  • Low overhead model: The charity values efficiency and volunteer contribution - demonstrate similar values in your application
  • Committee structure: Representative from every Lodge sits on committee - local Lodge connections can provide intelligence on priorities

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