The Grand Charity (masonic Charitable Foundation)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £6.8 million (to charities, 2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 2-3 weeks for Expression of Interest response; 2-3 months total for small grants, 5-6 months for large grants
• Grant Range: £1,000 - £60,000
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales (with some overseas support through specific programs)

Contact Details

Website: www.mcf.org.uk

Email: charitygrants@mcf.org.uk (for charity grants); info@mcf.org.uk (general enquiries)

Phone: 020 3146 3337 (charity grants); 020 3146 3333 (general)

Overview

The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF), operating under the trading name “The Grand Charity” (registered charity 1170335), was formed in April 2016 through the merger of four historic Masonic charities: The Freemasons' Grand Charity (est. 1980), The Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys, The Masonic Samaritan Fund, and The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution. With roots dating back to 1725, the MCF is the national charity of Freemasonry under the United Grand Lodge of England. The foundation holds assets of approximately £400 million and distributed £6.8 million to charities through 451 grants in 2023, plus £12.7 million to individual Freemasons and families. The MCF focuses on creating better lives by encouraging opportunity, promoting independence, and improving wellbeing for disadvantaged and vulnerable people across England and Wales.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grants Programme

• £1,000 - £5,000 per year for up to three years
• Unrestricted funding (not project-specific)
• For charities with annual income between £25,000 and £500,000
• Rolling applications with no fixed deadlines
• Decision timeline: approximately 2-3 months from full application

Large Grants Programme

• £10,000 - £60,000 total, spread over one to three years
• Restricted funding for specific projects with defined goals and budgets
• For charities with annual income between £500,000 and £5 million
• Preference for multi-year funding (e.g., £20,000 per year for three years)
• Rolling applications with no fixed deadlines
• Decision timeline: approximately 5-6 months from full application

Priority Areas

The MCF funds charities in England and Wales working with:

• Early Years (0-5): Focus on children experiencing or at risk of neglect
• Children Affected by Domestic Abuse: Support for children and young people aged 0-18
• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND): Support for children and young people up to age 25
• People with Dementia and Their Carers: Currently paused and not accepting new applications

Additional historic focus areas include medical research into degenerative disease and hospice care services.

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations not registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales
• Projects or beneficiaries outside England and Wales (with limited exceptions)
• More than 20% of an organization's annual income
• Multiple grants simultaneously (only one active grant per charity at a time)
• Organizations that have received MCF funding within the previous two years

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Governance and Leadership

Chief Executive: Les Hutchinson (appointed 2020)

Chairman: Sir Paul Williams

Deputy President: W Bro David Hudd (appointed 2025)

The MCF is governed by a board of trustees and operates with a senior leadership team including directors for finance, operations, human resources, and specialist areas.

Leadership Quotes:

Les Hutchinson, Chief Executive: "It's an honour and privilege to become Chief Executive designate of the Masonic Charitable Foundation. David Innes will be a hard act to follow, but I will work tirelessly to ensure that the MCF continues to be a tremendous force for good and to make a difference to so many communities and individuals."

Sir Paul Williams, Chairman: "I feel honoured at being given this opportunity. There are 300 years of heritage, and to be in a position to have some influence in an organisation with that tradition – well, it's quite humbling and brings great responsibilities."

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Expression of Interest: Submit a short online form through the MCF website (www.mcf.org.uk)
2. Initial Review: MCF Charity Grants team reviews and responds within 2 weeks
3. Full Application: If successful at EOI stage, invited to complete full online application
4. Supporting Documents: Can attach up to two supporting documents
5. Complete Application Required: Entire application form must be completed

Application Method: Rolling basis, online only, no fixed deadlines

Decision Timeline

• Expression of Interest Response: Within 2 weeks
• Small Grants (full process): Approximately 2-3 months from full application submission
• Large Grants (full process): Approximately 5-6 months from full application submission
• Appeals Deadline: 20 working days from formal notification of outcome

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. In 2023, the MCF awarded 451 grants to charities totaling £6.8 million.

Reapplication Policy

• Organizations may reapply after previous applications, whether successful or unsuccessful
• Each application is assessed independently against current eligibility criteria
• Organizations must wait two years after the end of a previous MCF grant before reapplying
• Only one active grant per organization at any time
• Unsuccessful applicants receive detailed feedback explaining which eligibility criteria were not met
• Appeals process available within 20 working days of decision notification

Application Success Factors

MCF's Direct Advice to Applicants

Writing Tips:

• Draft your application in Word first, then copy into the online form for easier editing (note character limits)
• Keep it simple and include key points
• Avoid jargon; explain acronyms on first use
• Have someone unfamiliar with your organization read the application—does it make sense and convey key messages?

About Beneficiaries:

• Clearly identify who they are and their age
• Explain how they are referred or targeted
• Demonstrate demand for your services
• Detail specific challenges beneficiaries face
• Include supporting evidence or research to demonstrate needs

For Small Grants:

• Focus on the charity as a whole, not specific projects (funding is unrestricted)
• Demonstrate organizational sustainability and impact

For Large Grants:

• Provide clear project goals and defined budgets
• Show how funding will achieve measurable outcomes
• Consider requesting multi-year funding for greater impact

Examples of Funded Organizations

• Age UK: £1 million three-year partnership for “Later Life Goals” project helping 10,000 older people become more socially connected; 57% of participants who often felt lonely reported feeling less lonely
• Home-Start: £1 million partnership over 5 years supporting families with young children from disadvantaged backgrounds to become “school-ready”
• Lifelites: Supporting children with life-limiting conditions to access assistive technologies
• St Luke's Hospice, Winsford: £22,000 towards promoting equality

Key Terminology and Language

The MCF uses language emphasizing:

• “Building better lives”
• “Encouraging opportunity, promoting independence, improving wellbeing”
• “Disadvantaged and vulnerable people”
• “Social connection” and reducing isolation
• “Evidence-based” approaches
• “Measurable outcomes”

Common Reasons for Unsuccessful Applications

• Beneficiaries outside England and Wales
• Charity income outside the specified ranges for each grant type
• Funding request exceeds 20% of organization's annual income
• Organization has an active MCF grant or received funding within previous two years
• Insufficient demonstration of beneficiary need or project impact
• Priority areas not aligned with MCF's current focus

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Unrestricted vs. Restricted: Understand the difference—small grants are unrestricted (organization-wide), large grants are project-specific. Tailor your application accordingly.
• Multi-year funding preference: For large grants, consider requesting funding spread over 2-3 years rather than a single year for better chances of success.
• Evidence is essential: Provide robust evidence of beneficiary need, demand for services, and potential impact. Use research and data to support your case.
• Rolling applications: No deadlines means you can apply when ready, but also means competition is ongoing. Apply when you have a strong, well-prepared case.
• One shot at a time: Only one active grant per organization, and two-year waiting period after funding ends. Make your application count.
• Clear communication: The MCF values clarity over complexity. Write for a non-specialist audience and avoid sector jargon.
• Income thresholds matter: Ensure your charity's income falls within the specified ranges (£25k-£500k for small grants; £500k-£5m for large grants) and that your funding request doesn't exceed 20% of annual income.

References

1. Masonic Charitable Foundation - Grants to Charities. https://mcf.org.uk/get-support/grants-to-charities/
2. Masonic Charitable Foundation - Frequently Asked Questions. https://mcf.org.uk/get-support/grants-to-charities/faqs/
3. Masonic Charitable Foundation - Small Grant Application Guidelines. https://mcf.org.uk/get-support/grants-to-charities/application-resources/small-grants/
4. Masonic Charitable Foundation - Large Grant Full Application Guidelines. https://mcf.org.uk/get-support/grants-to-charities/application-resources/large-grants/
5. Masonic Charitable Foundation - 2023/24 Impact Report. https://mcf.org.uk/impact/2023-24-impact-report/
6. Masonic Charitable Foundation - About Us. https://mcf.org.uk/about-us/
7. Masonic Charitable Foundation - Our History. https://mcf.org.uk/about-us/our-history/
8. Masonic Charitable Foundation - Senior Leadership. https://mcf.org.uk/senior-leadership/
9. Masonic Charitable Foundation - Charities in Action. https://mcf.org.uk/charities/
10. Masonic Charitable Foundation - Eligibility. https://mcf.org.uk/get-support/grants-to-charities/eligibility/
11. United Grand Lodge of England - Masonic Charitable Foundation. https://www.ugle.org.uk/discover-freemasonry/service/masonic-charitable-foundation
12. Civil Society News - “Merged masonic charity will be one of 25 largest by assets.” https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/merged-masonic-charity-will-be-one-of-25-largest-by-assets.html
13. Charity Commission Register - The Grand Charity (1170335). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/