The Province of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire maintains a Charity known as the Provincial Grand Charity of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire.  Its Annual Report and Accounts are approved at the annual meeting each year and are published in the Provincial Year Book. 

It is funded by donations from all Lodges in Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire and makes charitable donations to deserving causes throughout the area.

Aims of the Fund

Contributions

Each member of a Lodge in the Province makes a contribution of 50p each year to the Provincial Grand Charity - this is part of a member’s Lodge subscription

With a view towards building up the capital of the Provincial Grand Charity, Lodges have been encouraged to make special donations to that Fund during each year.  The Fund also receives donations from other Orders, Lodges of Instruction and Sporting and Leisure Associations in the Province.

Income is also derived from investments held by the Charity.

How the Fund Operates

• In all cases of distress the Lodge is first expected to make an immediate grant and should then refer the case to the Provincial Grand Charity.  It can make an emergency grant of up to £200 on the authority of the Provincial Grand Master.  In cases of financial distress, the Lodge Almoner is asked to submit to the Provincial Almoner a petition detailing the applicant's income and expenditure.  The Provincial Almoner will forward this to the Grand Charity or the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution, as appropriate.

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  Christmas and Summer Grants
  
  

• All beneficiaries, including those cases which are taken over by the Grand Charity or the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution, are still remembered by the Province which makes a summer gift and a Christmas gift to each of them.  These gifts are as much an act of remembering the beneficiary as a matter of giving material help.  Both caring and material assistance are essential elements in such cases.

Masonic Housing Association - Palmer Court

• Palmer Court in Wellingborough is a sheltered housing complex set up by the Masonic Housing Association for the accommodation the elderly, many of whom have Masonic connections.  The Fund provides an annual sum to provide extra comforts for the residents and also meets the cost of special projects such as an alarm system.

• Non-Masonic Charities

• The Provincial Grand Charity also makes donations to non-Masonic Charities eg to Hospitals for equipment, the Samaritans, Youth Training initiatives and other local good causes.

Assistance Requests

Any request for such a donation should be directed to the Provincial Grand Almoner, WBro John Partridge through the Provincial Office.