West Riding Masonic Charities Limited

Charity Number: 212073

Annual Expenditure: £1.0M
Geographic Focus: North Yorkshire, Barnsley, Bradford City, Calderdale, City Of Wakefield, Doncaster, Kirklees ... [3 more]

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £1,043,325 (charitable activities expenditure, year ending Sept 2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Major grants considered in March and awarded in May annually; Minor grants considered quarterly
  • Grant Range: £500 - £25,000
  • Geographic Focus: Yorkshire West Riding Province

Contact Details

Website: www.westridingfreemasons.info/west-riding-masonic-charities

Email: admin@wrmcl.co.uk

Phone: 07395 375964

Grant Enquiries:

  • Christian Jones: christian.jones@wrmcl.co.uk, 07729 654309
  • Graham Shiers: graham.shiers@wrmcl.co.uk, 07818 675310
  • Mathew Sims: mathew.sims@wrmcl.co.uk, 07824 773797

Overview

West Riding Masonic Charities Limited (Charity No. 212073) was established to support sick, elderly, or infirm members of Masonic Lodges in Yorkshire and their dependants and widows, as well as other Masonic and non-Masonic organisations. The charity is the designated charity of the Masonic Province of Yorkshire, West Riding, deriving all its funds from voluntary contributions of Freemasons and their families within the Province. With total income of £620,452 and charitable expenditure of over £1 million in the year ending September 2024, the charity is supported by 8 trustees and 200 volunteers. The Provincial Grand Master's Fund was created in 1987 specifically to enable grants to non-Masonic community organisations and charitable institutions across the Province. Each year, the fund typically allocates £200,000 in major and minor grants, with increased amounts in special anniversary years.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Major Grants: Up to £25,000

  • Considered annually in March
  • Awards announced in May
  • For capital projects (equipment/tangible assets)
  • Application through Lodge nomination process

Small Grants: Up to £500

  • Considered quarterly at Provincial Grand Master's Fund meetings
  • Rolling application basis
  • For capital projects (equipment/tangible assets)
  • Faster turnaround than major grants

Priority Areas

The charity funds a wide range of community-benefiting activities including:

  • Sports clubs (rugby, football)
  • Community organisations
  • Hospices and healthcare initiatives
  • Bereavement support projects
  • Educational projects (e.g., providing equipment or shoes for school children)
  • Baby banks and family support services
  • Youth organisations (e.g., Scout groups for expedition equipment)
  • Local charities supporting people and communities

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly detailed, the charity focuses exclusively on:

  • Capital projects (equipment and tangible assets)
  • Projects benefiting communities within Yorkshire West Riding Province
  • Projects that can demonstrate clear community benefit
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Governance and Leadership

West Riding Masonic Charities Limited is governed by 8 trustees who serve on a voluntary basis with no remuneration, payments, or benefits. The charity employs 4 staff members and is supported by 200 volunteers across the Province.

Key Personnel:

  • Christian Jones: Grant enquiries contact (christian.jones@wrmcl.co.uk)
  • Graham Shiers: Grant enquiries contact and Secretary to the Charity's Compliance Committee (graham.shiers@wrmcl.co.uk)
  • Mathew Sims: Grant enquiries contact (mathew.sims@wrmcl.co.uk)

The charity operates with total transparency, publishing financial accounts through the Charity Commission showing income of £620,452 and charitable activities expenditure of £1,043,325 for the year ending September 2024.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Non-Masonic Organisations:

The standard application route is through nomination by a local Masonic Lodge. Lodges nominate non-Masonic organisations or charities in the Province to receive grants for the benefit of the wider community, with local Freemasons choosing by ballot to sponsor suitable projects.

Without a Lodge Contact:

If you do not have a local Masonic contact, you can initiate contact directly by emailing:

  • Christian Jones at christian.jones@wrmcl.co.uk (07729 654309)
  • Graham Shiers at graham.shiers@wrmcl.co.uk (07818 675310)
  • Mathew Sims at mathew.sims@wrmcl.co.uk (07824 773797)

Decision Timeline

Major Grants (up to £25,000):

  • Applications considered: March
  • Awards announced: May
  • Estimated timeline: 2-3 months from consideration to award

Small Grants (up to £500):

  • Considered quarterly at Provincial Grand Master's Fund meetings
  • Faster turnaround on rolling basis
  • Estimated timeline: 4-12 weeks depending on meeting schedule

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly available. The charity allocates approximately £200,000 annually across major and minor grants, with increased amounts in special anniversary years (e.g., £300,000 in bicentenary years).

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Applicants should enquire directly with the charity contacts listed above.

Application Success Factors

Key Success Factors:

  1. Capital Focus: Applications must be for capital projects involving equipment or tangible assets, not running costs or salaries.
  1. Community Benefit: Clearly demonstrate how the project benefits the wider community in Yorkshire West Riding. The charity seeks projects that have broad community impact.
  1. Lodge Connection: Having a connection with a local Masonic Lodge significantly strengthens applications, as the standard route involves Lodge nomination and member ballot. If you don't have a connection, reach out early to establish one or contact the charity directly.
  1. Geographic Alignment: Projects must be located within the Province of Yorkshire West Riding and benefit local communities.
  1. Clear Project Definition: Applications should clearly articulate what equipment or tangible assets are needed and how they will be used to benefit the community.

Recent Funded Projects Examples:

  • Wrenthorpe Scout Group: Funding for lightweight expedition tents for scouts, explorers, and Duke of Edinburgh expeditions
  • Various rugby and football clubs: Equipment funding
  • Schools: Shoes and equipment to enable children's participation in activities
  • Baby banks: Capital equipment
  • Hospices and bereavement projects: Equipment and tangible resources

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Capital-only focus: Only apply for capital projects (equipment/tangible assets), not operational costs or salaries. This is a firm requirement.
  • Build Lodge relationships: The nomination process works through local Masonic Lodges. If possible, connect with a local Lodge early in your planning process, or contact the charity directly to explore nomination routes.
  • Demonstrate wide community impact: Show how your project benefits the broader community in Yorkshire West Riding, not just a narrow beneficiary group.
  • Consider grant size strategically: Small grants (up to £500) have quarterly decisions and faster turnaround. Major grants (up to £25,000) are decided annually in March/May.
  • Geographic specificity matters: Ensure your project clearly serves communities within the Yorkshire West Riding Province.
  • Make direct contact: If unsure about the process or whether your project fits, reach out to Christian Jones, Graham Shiers, or Mathew Sims for guidance before applying.
  • Timing is important: For major grants, plan ahead for the March consideration/May award cycle. For small grants, applications are considered quarterly on a rolling basis.

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