The Worcestershire Freemasons Charity
Charity 1204423
Overview
Summary
The Worcestershire Freemasons Charity appears to be a locally funded grant-maker that converts donations from Worcestershire Freemasons, alongside investment income, into discretionary support for people and voluntary organisations facing a wide range of needs. Its role is less that of a specialist service provider than a flexible civic funding mechanism, able to respond to individual hardship and organisational requests. The available evidence suggests that trustee judgement is central to how priorities are set, although the charity’s grant themes, geographic reach and partnership network remain unclear.
Operational geography
No operational geography is currently available for this organisation.
Areas of work
- General Charitable Purposes
- The Prevention Or Relief Of Poverty
Who they help
- Children/young People
- Elderly/old People
- Other Charities Or Voluntary Bodies
- People With Disabilities
- The General Public/mankind
How they help
- Makes Grants To Individuals
- Makes Grants To Organisations
- Provides Other Finance
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
A flexible fund rather than a single-issue charity
Interpretation: The charity may be positioned to respond to varied local need because its objects span health, education, poverty and other charitable purposes, rather than limiting support to one cause.
Why it matters
This suggests its potential value may lie in filling gaps between more narrowly defined funds or services, especially where needs do not fit a single programme category.
Show evidence
“The objects include relieving sickness, preserving health, advancing education, and preventing or relieving poverty or financial hardship.”
Source:Charity Commission“The objects also permit further exclusively charitable purposes considered appropriate by the trustees.”
Source:Charity Commission
Trustee discretion appears to shape access
Interpretation: Decision-making seems relationship- and judgement-led: trustees consider applications and suggestions of where help could be beneficial, then approve grants individually.
Why it matters
This may allow responsive support for overlooked cases, but it also makes the practical criteria, referral routes and consistency of access important questions for prospective beneficiaries and partners.
Show evidence
“Trustees meet regularly to consider applications for grants and suggestions where assistance might be beneficial.”
Source:Organisation“The charity makes grants to individuals and grants to organisations.”
Source:Charity Commission
A membership-rooted resource with wider civic reach
Interpretation: Donations from Freemasons meeting in Worcestershire appear to underpin a fund intended for public benefit beyond the membership itself, potentially linking a private association’s local giving to wider voluntary-sector and household needs.
Why it matters
This clarifies the charity’s distinctive civic role: it may be a conduit through which a place-based membership network redistributes resources across multiple communities.
Show evidence
“Income comprises charitable donations made by freemasons meeting in Worcestershire together with income from invested funds.”
Source:Organisation“The charity helps children and young people, elderly people, people with disabilities, other charities or voluntary bodies, and the general public.”
Source:Charity Commission
- Which needs, places and beneficiary groups receive grants most often.
- Whether grants are primarily reactive applications, referrals or proactive trustee-led support.
- The size, frequency and outcomes of grants.
Remaining uncertainties
- Recent grant lists showing recipients, amounts, purposes and locations.
- Grant criteria, application routes and examples of trustee decision-making.
- Annual reports describing demand, unmet need and the use of grant funding.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
Income comprises charitable donations made by freemasons meeting in Worcestershire together with income from invested funds. The trustees meeting regularly to consider applications for grants and suggestions where assistance might be beneficial. Once approved grants are paid by bank transfer. Receipts are obtained and, where appropriate, reports on the application of grants are requested.
Charity objects
THE OBJECTS OF THE CHARITY ARE, FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT, TO: (A) RELIEVE SICKNESS AND PRESERVE HEALTH, ADVANCE EDUCATION, AND PREVENT OR RELIEVE POVERTY OR FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, AMONGST SUCH PERSONS AS THE TRUSTEES CONSIDER FROM TIME TO TIME TO BE IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE TO THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE TRUSTEES IN THEIR ABSOLUTE DISCRETION THINK APPROPRIATE; AND TO (B) FURTHER SUCH OTHER PURPOSES (BEING EXCLUSIVELY CHARITABLE) AS THE TRUSTEES MAY FROM TIME TO TIME IN THEIR ABSOLUTE DISCRETION CONSIDER APPROPRIATE.