The Grand Lodge Of Mark Master Masons' Fund Of Benevolence (mark Benevolent Fund)

Quick Stats

• Registered Charity: 207610
• Founded: 1868
• Annual Income: £1.88 million (2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £1.99 million (2024)
• Geographic Focus: England, Wales, Channel Islands, Isle of Man
• Grant Range: Individual grants vary from hundreds to millions of pounds
• Application Method: Written application to Worthy Causes Committee

Contact Details

Address: Charities, Mark Masons' Hall, 86 St. James's Street, London, SW1A 1PL

Telephone: 020 7839 5274

Email: d.coleman@mmh.org.uk (Darren Coleman-Heald, Charities Manager)

Website: markmasonshall.org/charities/mbf

Overview

The Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons' Fund of Benevolence, commonly known as the Mark Benevolent Fund (MBF), is one of the UK's most significant Masonic charitable funds. Established in 1868 following a suggestion by the Reverend George Raymond Portal, Grand Master of the Mark, the charity has disbursed over £20 million since its inception. Operating under the motto “Bis dat qui cito dat” (“He gives twice who gives promptly”), the fund emphasizes swift assistance without bureaucratic formality.

While the primary purpose is to provide financial relief to Mark Master Masons and their families in distress, the fund also makes substantial grants to external registered charities through its Worthy Causes Committee. The charity is managed by 12 trustees, supported by 50 volunteers, and has shown robust financial health with total income of £1.88 million in the 2024 financial year (ending 31 August 2024), comprising donations (£1.33 million), investments (£528,000), and other income (£20,590).

Major recent beneficiaries include St John Ambulance (£3.2 million), Hope for Tomorrow Cancer Charity (£2.6 million), RNLI (£1.6 million), Blood Bike charities (over £1.2 million since 2016), and Lifelites (£141,423). The 156th Festival Ball in July 2024 raised £1,158,150, demonstrating continued strong support from the Masonic community.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Worthy Causes Committee Grants: The Worthy Causes Committee meets 2-3 times annually at Mark Masons' Hall to examine applications from registered charities. Grant amounts vary significantly based on project scope and need, ranging from thousands to millions of pounds.

• Major Strategic Grants: Multi-year partnerships and transformational projects (£1m+)
• Equipment and Infrastructure Grants: Capital purchases such as medical equipment, vehicles, and facilities (£10,000 - £500,000)
• Program Support Grants: Funding for specific charitable programs and services (amounts vary)

Application Method: Written applications submitted to Mark Masons' Hall with comprehensive background and financial information. The committee reviews applications on a rolling basis at quarterly meetings.

Priority Areas

The Mark Benevolent Fund has demonstrated particular interest in:

• Emergency and Medical Services: Blood Bike charities, RNLI, St John Ambulance (equipment, vehicles, infrastructure)
• Healthcare and Cancer Support: Mobile chemotherapy units, hospital equipment, diagnostic technology
• Hospice and Palliative Care: Children's hospices, assistive technology, Hospice at Home services
• Community Health Services: Medical equipment and support vehicles serving communities across England and Wales

Recent Funded Projects Include:

• 52 state-of-the-art ambulances, treatment centres, and support vehicles for St John Ambulance
• Mobile chemotherapy units for Hope for Tomorrow Cancer Charity
• Blood bikes and medical transport vehicles (31 Blood Bike charities supported nationally)
• RNLI lifeboat funding
• Assistive technology for children with life-limiting conditions (Lifelites partnership)
• Prostate cancer diagnostic equipment for Addenbrooke's Hospital
• £1.3 million distributed to over 250 hospices across England and Wales

What They Don't Fund

The Mark Benevolent Fund explicitly does not support:

• Research projects
• Staffing costs or salary expenses
• General operating expenses
• Projects outside England, Wales, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man (except in exceptional international emergency circumstances)

These restrictions are “rigorously adhered to” according to official guidance.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees: 12 trustees oversee the charity's operations (none receive remuneration)

Key Personnel:

• Darren Coleman-Heald, Charities Manager: Oversees five charitable funds administered from Mark Masons' Hall, including processing applications, grants, petitions, MBF festivals, and almoner inquiries

Worthy Causes Committee: Meets 2-3 times annually to review applications from external charities and provincial/district nominations

The charity benefits from the organizational structure of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons, with provincial and district networks throughout England and Wales that help identify charitable needs and support fundraising efforts.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

External registered charities seeking support should submit a written application to:

Charities

Mark Masons' Hall

86 St. James's Street

London, SW1A 1PL

Application Requirements:

1. Letter of application for assistance
2. Comprehensive background information about the organization
3. Supporting financial information (accounts, budgets, project costs)
4. Clear description of the project or need
5. Explanation of how the grant would be used

Applications can also come through provincial/district Mark Mason structures if a local province wishes to support a particular registered charity.

Contact for Queries: Darren Coleman-Heald (d.coleman@mmh.org.uk) can assist with application questions and requirements.

Decision Timeline

• Committee Meetings: The Worthy Causes Committee meets 2-3 times per year
• Review Period: Applications are reviewed at quarterly meetings
• Decision Notification: Applicants are notified following committee meetings
• Fund Disbursement: Once approved, the fund aims to disburse aid “swiftly and without bureaucratic formality” in keeping with its founding motto

For urgent cases involving Mark Masons and their families, the Petitions Committee sits near-monthly with relief almost immediate upon approval, though this expedited process applies primarily to member support rather than external charity applications.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data for external charity applications is not publicly disclosed. However, the fund's substantial annual expenditure (£1.99 million in 2024) and the breadth of supported organizations indicate significant charitable activity beyond member support.

The fund raised £1,158,150 at its July 2024 Festival Ball alone, demonstrating strong ongoing fundraising capacity.

Reapplication Policy

No explicit restrictions on reapplications have been published. Organizations can submit applications when they have new projects or needs that align with the fund's priorities. The fund has established ongoing partnerships with some charities (e.g., Blood Bikes, Lifelites), suggesting that repeat applications for different phases or projects are welcomed.

Application Success Factors

Based on analysis of funded projects and official guidance, successful applications typically demonstrate:

1. Clear Capital/Equipment Focus

The fund strongly favors tangible capital projects rather than ongoing operational costs. Successful applications have focused on:

• Vehicles (ambulances, blood bikes, medical transport)
• Medical equipment (diagnostic machines, assistive technology)
• Infrastructure (mobile chemotherapy units, treatment centers)

Example: Blood Bike charities received £694,615 specifically for “purchasing new cars and motorcycles,” not operational expenses.

2. Wide Geographic Benefit

Large grants often support projects with national or regional reach. The £3.2 million St John Ambulance grant funded 52 vehicles “to be stationed throughout England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.”

3. Comprehensive Supporting Documentation

The application guidance explicitly requests “as much background and supporting financial information as possible.” Successful applicants provide:

• Detailed project budgets
• Organizational financial statements
• Clear outcomes and beneficiary numbers
• Evidence of need and impact

4. Alignment with Health and Emergency Services

Review of recent major grants shows particular success for organizations providing:

• Emergency medical response
• Cancer care and support
• End-of-life care and hospices
• Community health infrastructure

5. Potential for Partnership with Provincial Lodges

Some grants come through provincial/district structures. Organizations operating across multiple regions might benefit from connections with local Mark Mason provinces. For example, 31 Blood Bike charities were connected with 39 Provinces of Mark Master Masons for the 2016+ partnership.

Common Rejection Reasons (based on stated exclusions):

• Applications for research funding
• Requests covering staffing costs
• Projects with significant operational expense components
• Unclear or poorly documented proposals

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Think capital, not operational: Structure proposals around equipment, vehicles, or infrastructure rather than running costs or staff salaries
• Document thoroughly: Provide comprehensive financial information and background—the fund explicitly requests extensive supporting materials
• Emphasize scale and reach: Major grants favor projects with regional or national impact serving communities across England and Wales
• Healthcare and emergency services alignment: The fund has consistently supported medical services, hospices, and emergency response organizations
• Be patient but persistent: With 2-3 committee meetings annually, the process may take several months, but the fund has a strong track record of supporting well-aligned projects
• Consider provincial connections: If your organization operates regionally, explore whether local Mark Mason provinces might support or nominate your application
• Highlight tangible outcomes: Clearly articulate what will be purchased/built and who will benefit (number of beneficiaries, geographic coverage)

References

1. The Charity Commission - Charity 207610 Overview and Financial Data (https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=207610&subid=0) -

1. Mark Masons' Hall - Mark Benevolent Fund Official Page (https://www.markmasonshall.org/charities/mbf) -

1. Mark Masons' Hall - Worthy Causes Committee Application Guidance (https://markmasonshall.org/mbf-info/worthy-causes-committee/64-mark-benevolent-fund-worthy-causes-committee) -

1. Mark Master Masons of Sussex - Mark Benevolent Fund Information (https://sussexmark.org.uk/mbf/) -

1. Mark Master Masons of Middlesex - Mark Benevolent Fund Overview (https://middlesexmark.org/the-mark-benevolent-fund/) -

1. Lifelites - Mark Master Masons Donate £141,000 to Lifelites (https://www.lifelites.org/latest-news/mark-master-masons-donate-%C2%A3141,000-to-lifelites/) -

1. Various Provincial Grand Lodge websites documenting Mark Benevolent Fund activities and grants -