A spectrum of support
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we adapted our support and services to help the most vulnerable members of local and masonic communities across England, Wales, the Channel Islands and overseas Districts. Alongside our COVID-19 response, we continued to support individuals and charities in need irrespective of the global climate.
All our work is fully-funded and carried out on behalf of Freemasonry. Without the increased generosity of Freemasons, their families and friends over the last year, we would not have been able to respond to the needs of our communities as quickly, efficiently or as impactful as we did.
We provided
grants to
families or individuals struggling with the cost of everyday living, at a total cost of
of these grants to
families or individuals directly reflected the struggles of furlough, lack of work or sick leave as a result of
COVID-19, and totalled
On behalf of Freemasonry, we responded to the needs of older, isolated members of society and provided a
grant to
Emergency Coronavirus Appeal. In addition to our partnership funding, this grant will help them to tackle the rise of social isolation and loneliness that stemmed from the pandemic.
We provided
grants to
children and young people to ensure they had access to the same educational opportunities as their peers, which amounted to
children and young people – almost half of those supported – were provided laptops and other IT equipment specifically to help continue their learning from home whilst lockdown measures were in place, at a cost of
Freemasons continued to support vulnerable and disadvantaged children through lockdown through our
emergency grant to
Chances for Children campaign which, as well as providing IT equipment, helped the charity cover the cost of other items such as books and toys to keep children engaged.
We provided
grants to
people at a cost of
to help them live healthier and more independent lives.
Although we were able to support over one thousand people, this area of our work saw a 37 per cent decrease in value from the year prior, as the NHS and private health providers refocused their efforts on protecting society from the devastating effects of COVID-19. We therefore made a conscious decision to pause most of our grants for hospital referrals and operations to support the health sector through this difficult phase.
In contrast, our
support rose by 29 per cent from the year prior, with
people accessing the free and confidential service to support them through life’s challenges, a service which cost
Freemasons further supported people’s mental health across England and Wales, through our
grant to Mind’s emergency appeal, which will help fund their services that were otherwise affected by lack of funding through the pandemic.
Over the past year, Freemasonry and the MCF has worked together to increase and enhance our support for local and national charities in England, Wales and the Channel Islands, to help tackle some of society’s most pressing issues, including the coronavirus pandemic.
We are proud that Freemasons, through our work, awarded
grants to over
charities totaling
an increase of
in the value of grants and a significant
increase of the number of grants in comparison to 2019/20.
Our funding increased dramatically to meet the rapidly-growing calls for help from small grassroot community groups as they endeavored to stay afloat and support their beneficiaries through the pandemic.
Jane PearmanHypo Hounds has been hit hard by the pandemic and if it was not for the continued support from the Masonic Charitable Foundation we may well have had to have closed services.
Collette ReynoldsThe MCF’s contribution towards core funding has meant Youthline’s essential work can continue to meet the needs of young people with mental health problems, and their parents or carers. We have been able to ensure our service continued through this pandemic as the funding has given us the financial stability.
Sarah BennettThe field of bereavement support is a scary one to be in for the foreseeable future. All our fundraising events had to be cancelled and many corporate supporters had to withdraw support to focus on their own survival. The MCF’s funding ensured that we were able to continue to provide a service when many funding streams were disrupted.
Hypo Hounds trains dogs to save the lives of Type 1 Diabetic children and support their families. Thomas was matched with Poppy during the pandemic, thanks to Freemasonry’s funding.
In just 16 weeks, Freemasons met the challenge of raising £1 million for The Freemasons’ COVID-19 Community Fund, an amount matched-funded by the MCF taking the total fund to over £2 million.
This additional funding was focused on three areas identified as underfunded and in need of increased support throughout the pandemic:
charities awarded grants totalling
charities awarded grants totalling
This funding theme was launched at the end of the financial year with many charities applying for support. Grants will be awarded and reported in the next financial year.
