Richard Henry Holmes Masonic Benevolent Fund

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £160,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Trustees meet twice yearly (typically March and October)
• Grant Range: £450 - £50,000
• Geographic Focus: Northumberland, Newcastle, and North Tyneside

Contact Details

Email: provsec@pgln.org

Phone: 0191 213 6990

Website: Information available through Provincial Grand Lodge of Northumberland

Address: 17 Lansdowne Terrace, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 1HP

Overview

The Richard Henry Holmes Masonic Benevolent Fund was established in 1906 to commemorate Richard Henry Holmes's 25 years as Deputy Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Northumberland (appointed in 1881 and served for 28 years). The fund is a registered charity (No. 233632) with an annual income of approximately £192,000 and distributes around £160,000 annually to local causes. The fund operates under the Provincial Grand Lodge of Northumberland and serves a dual purpose: providing relief to Freemasons and their dependents in distress, and supporting approximately 80 non-Masonic charities each year alongside Masonic charitable causes. The fund distributes grants twice yearly, with approximately £80,000 allocated in each funding round.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The fund operates two distinct funding streams:

Masonic Relief Programme: Grants or loans to Freemasons and their dependents

• Supports Freemasons, wives, partners, children, grandchildren, and other dependents
• Supports widows, former partners, children, grandchildren, and other dependents of deceased Freemasons
• Includes annuities for aged Freemasons and widows
• Educational assistance for children of Freemasons
• Relief for those experiencing urgent distress

Community Grants Programme: £160,000 annually (distributed as £80,000 twice yearly)

• Rolling basis with trustee meetings twice yearly
• Recent grants range from £450 to £50,000
• Supports approximately 80 non-Masonic charities annually
• Focus on equipment purchases and specific community projects

Priority Areas

Based on recent grant awards, the fund prioritizes:

• Community Facilities: Sports clubs, community centers, village halls
• Health and Social Care: Medical equipment, community defibrillators, health facilities
• Education: Schools, educational equipment, children's activities
• Youth Services: Sea Cadets, agricultural education programs, youth activities
• Cultural Heritage: Church restoration, historical preservation
• Emergency Services: Community safety equipment
• Support Organizations: Charities serving vulnerable populations

Recent examples include:

• £50,000 to Children's Heart Unit Fund at Newcastle Freeman Hospital
• £20,000 to The Hextol Foundation (Hexham) for a crew van
• £8,000 to St. Michael's Church, Alnwick for bell restoration
• £6,000 to Shilbottle First School for playground markings
• £5,000 to Glendale Agricultural Society
• £3,000 to Wallsend Sea Cadets for window replacement
• £3,000 to Morpeth Rugby Club for public address system
• £1,500 to Bacmans Community Limited
• £450 to Milbourne Community Defibrillator Project

What They Don't Fund

The fund does not specify explicit exclusions, but all grants must benefit causes within Northumberland, Newcastle, and North Tyneside. The geographic restriction is the primary limitation.

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Governance and Leadership

The fund is governed by 12 trustees who serve on the charity's board. Key roles include:

• Provincial Grand Almoner: Serves as a Trustee of the fund, responsible for charitable distributions
• Provincial Grand Treasurer: Oversees the finances of Provincial Grand Lodge and the Richard Henry Holmes Masonic Benevolent Fund
• Provincial Secretary: Administrative contact point (provsec@pgln.org)

The trustees meet twice yearly to review funding requests. At least one trustee receives payments or benefits from the charity for providing services.

Quote from Kevin Stannard, Northumberland Freemasons representative:

“Freemasonry and charity go hand in hand and these good causes are very close to our hearts. We like to see local charities create a positive impact on their communities and if we can help by purchasing equipment or funding projects then we are delighted to help.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

The fund does not have a publicly documented application process. The trustees meet twice per year (typically March and October) to consider requests for financial help and support from worthy causes in Northumberland and Tyneside.

For organizations interested in seeking support:

• Contact the Provincial Secretary at provsec@pgln.org or call 0191 213 6990
• Applications for Masonic relief should contact the Provincial Grand Almoner

Decision Timeline

• Trustees meet twice annually (typically March and October)
• Decision timeframes from submission to notification are not publicly specified
• Grants are distributed in two funding rounds of approximately £80,000 each

Success Rates

The fund supports approximately 80 non-Masonic charities each year from a total distribution of £160,000. Success rates and total number of applications received are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Organizations that have received grants appear eligible for future support, as evidenced by the fund's ongoing relationship with various community organizations.

Application Success Factors

Based on research into funded projects, successful applications appear to share these characteristics:

Community Impact: The fund strongly favors projects that create tangible benefits for local communities. Kevin Stannard's statement emphasizes they “like to see local charities create a positive impact on their communities.”

Equipment and Capital Projects: Many successful grants fund specific equipment purchases or infrastructure improvements rather than ongoing operational costs. Examples include the £20,000 van for The Hextol Foundation, the £8,000 church bells restoration, and the £3,000 public address system for Morpeth Rugby Club.

Geographic Relevance: Projects must serve communities within Northumberland, Newcastle, and North Tyneside. Local connections appear essential.

Defined Objectives: Funded projects have clear, specific goals - playground markings, defibrillators, community vans - rather than general organizational support.

Community Benefit: Projects that help people “gain self-confidence, a sense of worth and structure in their lives” (as noted by a beneficiary organization) align with the fund's charitable mission.

Range of Support: The fund supports both large transformational projects (£50,000 to hospital facilities) and smaller community needs (£450 for defibrillators), suggesting flexibility based on project merit rather than rigid grant tiers.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic Boundary: Your organization must serve Northumberland, Newcastle, or North Tyneside - this is a firm requirement
• No Public Application Portal: Contact the Provincial Secretary directly at provsec@pgln.org or 0191 213 6990 to express interest
• Timing: Plan outreach around the two annual trustee meetings (typically March and October) for consideration
• Focus on Equipment: Applications for specific equipment purchases or capital improvements have strong precedent
• Demonstrate Community Impact: Clearly articulate how your project will benefit local communities, using concrete outcomes
• Flexible Grant Sizes: The fund awards from under £500 to over £50,000, so don't self-eliminate based on project size
• Relationship-Based: Without a formal application process, building a relationship with Provincial Grand Lodge representatives may be beneficial

References

• Richard Henry Holmes Masonic Benevolent Fund - Charity Commission
• Freemasons Donate £160,000 to Northumberland Charities - Provincial Grand Lodge of Northumberland
• Provincial Grand Lodge of Northumberland - Official Website
• Freemasons donate for new playground markings - North East Connected
• Local Rugby Club Scores With Generous Grant - Provincial Grand Lodge of Northumberland
• Freemasons Hand Over Keys to £20,000 Van - Provincial Grand Lodge of Northumberland
• Support for Freemasons - Provincial Almoner
• Lost Final Resting Place of Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master

All sources.