Worcestershire Masonic Charity Organisation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: Approximately £115,000-£280,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified (trustees meet regularly)
• Grant Range: £250 - £20,000+
• Geographic Focus: Worcestershire

Contact Details

Address: PGL Offices, 94 Birmingham Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B61 0DF

Phone: 01527 879300

Email: provincial@worcestershirepgl.org.uk

Note: This charity operates alongside The Worcestershire Freemasons Charity (Charity Number 1204423), which was launched more recently with enhanced capabilities.

Overview

The Worcestershire Masonic Charity Organisation (Charity Number 210408) is a long-established grant-making charity, formerly known as the Worcestershire Provincial Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund. Operating since at least the early 20th century, the charity focuses on three main activities: raising funds by donation, running sheltered accommodation, and making grants/donations. With total expenditure of £115,323 in 2024 (and £283,686 in 2023), the charity serves both Masonic families in distress and broader community organizations across Worcestershire. The organization is governed by 5 trustees and supported by 4 volunteers, operating transparently with no trustee remuneration. The charity's dual mission addresses the welfare of distressed brother Masons, their widows and children, while also supporting Masonic and other charitable causes throughout the county.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The charity operates a flexible grant-making program with awards ranging from £250 to £20,000 and beyond. Additional funding may be provided through partnership with the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF), which can enhance support for larger projects. Grants are awarded to both individuals and organizations.

Application Method: Applications are considered by trustees who meet regularly. Once approved, grants are paid by bank transfer.

Priority Areas

The charity supports:

• Masonic Welfare: Support for distressed brother Masons, their widows, and children
• Children and Young People: Projects benefiting young people in Worcestershire
• Elderly Care: Services and support for older people
• Disability Support: Projects assisting people with disabilities
• Other Charities: Support for other charitable organizations and voluntary bodies
• Accommodation/Housing: Including sheltered accommodation provision
• Emergency Services: Blood bike services and first responders (e.g., Worcestershire First Responders received support for 200 Bleed Kits)
• Healthcare: Hospices and medical support services
• Education and Youth Development: Schools and mentoring programs

Recent Grant Examples

• £20,000: Joint funding with MCF for a new BMW R1250RT Blood Bike for Worcestershire Widows Sons/Severn Freewheelers Emergency Voluntary Service
• £6,000: Multiple hospices across Worcestershire
• £5,000: Mentor Link
• £500: Rocklands School for sensory garden project
• Volunteer support for Acorns Children's Hospice 'Ground Force' day

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, though the charity's focus is clearly on Worcestershire-based beneficiaries and organizations aligned with their charitable purposes.

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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by 5 trustees who volunteer their time, receiving no remuneration or payments. The organization maintains transparency through regular reporting to the Charity Commission.

Provincial Grand Master: R WBro Robert Christopher Vaughan leads the Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire, which oversees the charitable organization.

Deputy Provincial Grand Master: Stephen J Wyer, who was instrumental in launching The Worcestershire Freemasons Charity (the newer charity vehicle operating alongside this organization).

Charity Steward: WBro David Dey

The trustees meet regularly to consider grant applications and identify opportunities where assistance might be beneficial. The Provincial Grand Master noted the importance of operating “with renewed purpose and enhanced capabilities” through the charity's modern structure.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

This charity does not have a public online application process. Grants are awarded through a trustee-led decision-making process.

For Masonic Individuals and Families: Contact your lodge Almoner or reach out directly to the charity at provincial@worcestershirepgl.org.uk or 01527 879300. For Freemasons and their families seeking support, a Visiting Volunteer or member of the Advice & Support Team will typically visit at home to help complete an application.

For Organizations: Contact the charity directly via phone (01527 879300) or email (provincial@worcestershirepgl.org.uk) to discuss potential support. The trustees meet regularly to consider applications for grants and suggestions where assistance might be beneficial.

Alternative Pathway for Charities: Organizations may also consider applying to the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) for grants, which has a formal application process. Contact: 020 3146 3337 or charitygrants@mcf.org.uk.

Decision Timeline

The trustees meet regularly to consider applications. Specific timelines from application to decision are not publicly documented, but once grants are approved, payment is made promptly by bank transfer.

Success Rates

Success rates and application volumes are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Contact the charity directly to discuss opportunities for support.

Application Success Factors

While specific guidance is limited due to the trustee-discretionary nature of the grant-making, the following factors appear important based on the charity's documented activities:

• Local Impact: The charity clearly prioritizes Worcestershire-based beneficiaries and projects that serve the local community
• Emergency and Essential Services: Recent grants demonstrate strong support for emergency services like blood bikes and first responders
• Vulnerable Groups: Projects supporting children, elderly people, and those with disabilities align well with stated priorities
• Healthcare and Hospices: Multiple hospices have received support, indicating this is a priority area
• Clear Charitable Purpose: Applications should demonstrate clear charitable benefit aligned with the organization's purposes
• Relationship Building: As with many Masonic charitable organizations, establishing contact and building relationships with the trustees may be beneficial
• Partnership Opportunities: The charity works in partnership with the MCF, so larger projects might benefit from combined funding discussions

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Contact First: This is not an open application process - establish direct contact with the charity at provincial@worcestershirepgl.org.uk or call 01527 879300 to discuss your project
• Worcestershire Focus: Projects must serve Worcestershire residents or communities
• Flexible Grant Sizes: Awards range from modest grants of £250 to substantial support of £20,000+, making this accessible for projects of varying scales
• Partnership Potential: For larger projects, discuss potential joint funding with the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) which can enhance support
• Priority Beneficiaries: Projects supporting children, elderly people, people with disabilities, and essential community services appear well-positioned
• No Masonic Connection Required: While the charity supports distressed Masons and their families, it also makes grants to non-Masonic charities and organizations
• Trustee Discretion: Grants are awarded at trustee discretion following regular meetings, so building a case for how your project aligns with their charitable purposes is essential

References

1. Charity Commission Register - Worcestershire Masonic Charity Organisation (210408), https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/210408
2. Charity Commission Register - What, Who, How, Where section for Charity 210408, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/sector-data/top-10-charities/-/charity-details/210408/what-who-how-where
3. United Grand Lodge of England - “Worcestershire Freemasons Support Local Blood Bikers”, https://www.ugle.org.uk/discover-freemasonry/blog/worcestershire-freemasons-support-local-blood-bikers
4. Worcestershire Freemasons website - Local Giving page, https://www.worcestershirefreemasons.com/local-giving
5. Worcestershire Freemasons website - 2022 and the MCF, https://www.worcestershirefreemasons.com/charitable-donations
6. Provincial Grand Lodge of Worcestershire website, https://www.worcspgl.org/provincial-grand-lodge
7. Charity Commission Register - The Worcestershire Freemasons Charity (1204423), https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5213284/full-print
8. Freemasonry Network - Worcestershire Freemasons, https://freemasonry.network/provincial-grand-lodges-ugle/worcestershire-freemasons/