Down Masonic Widows' Fund
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- Typical grants
- £500 – £2,000
- Applications
- Not accepted
- Decisions
- Once per year
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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downwidows.orgAbout Down Masonic Widows' Fund
The Down Masonic Widows' Fund is a longstanding Masonic charity based in the Province of Down, Northern Ireland. It is dedicated to providing financial relief and social support to widows, mothers, and unmarried sisters of Freemasons from specific lodge districts. Guided by compassion, mutual assistance, and dignity, the Fund addresses poverty, financial hardship, and loneliness among older women. It offers means-tested aid, bereavement support, and community-building activities. All support is personalised and verified annually through lodge almoners' assessments and home visits. The Fund operates through voluntary lodge networks, blending financial and social interventions.
What Down Masonic Widows' Fund funds
The Fund supports older women facing poverty and loneliness, particularly widows, mothers, and unmarried sisters of Freemasons from eligible lodges in specified County Down areas. It provides annual maintenance grants to help with living costs such as rent and rates, immediate bereavement grants for urgent needs, and small emergency payments. Additionally, it organises yearly social gatherings to combat isolation. All support is tailored to individual circumstances and verified through annual assessments. The geographic focus is the Banbridge, Bangor, Downpatrick, Newry, and Newtownards districts, excluding Belfast.
Who can apply
Eligibility is limited to widows, mothers, and unmarried sisters of Freemasons whose lodge is in the Banbridge, Bangor, Downpatrick, Newry, or Newtownards districts of County Down. Applicants must have a proven connection to an eligible lodge. Applications are submitted through lodge stewards or almoners; the Fund does not accept unsolicited approaches. There is no religious restriction beyond the Masonic connection.
What Down Masonic Widows' Fund doesn't fund
The Fund does not support organisations, charities, or external applicants. It only assists individuals with direct ties to eligible Masonic lodges in the specified County Down districts, excluding Belfast and its vicinity. It does not fund broader causes or general community projects.
How they like to fund
The Fund provides means-tested financial support through annual maintenance grants, immediate bereavement grants, and small emergency payments. Support is personalised and reviewed annually via lodge almoners' assessments and home visits. The Fund does not accept unsolicited applications; referrals come through lodge stewards or almoners. It operates through voluntary lodge networks, blending financial aid with social activities.
How much does Down Masonic Widows' Fund give?
Typical published range. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you would clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is the free fit check.
When to apply, and how long their decisions take.
Income, location, legal structure and exactly who they fund — matched to your charity.
Good to know
How to apply to Down Masonic Widows' Fund
Down Masonic Widows' Fund does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation.
- A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
- If you cannot apply directly, shortlist open funders with a similar focus instead of writing into a closed door.
- Decisions are typically once per year.
What you can do here
- 1Check fit. See if your project aligns with Down Masonic Widows' Fund.
- 2Find open funders. Shortlist similar funders you can approach.
- 3Save the notes. Keep the fit check if you are later invited to apply.
See if Down Masonic Widows' Fund could be a fit — then find open funders like them.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does Down Masonic Widows' Fund provide?
Down Masonic Widows' Fund typically provides grants of £500 - £2,000.
Where does Down Masonic Widows' Fund fund charities?
Down Masonic Widows' Fund funds charities operating in the UK.
Does Down Masonic Widows' Fund accept unsolicited applications?
Down Masonic Widows' Fund does not accept unsolicited applications.
How do I apply for funding from Down Masonic Widows' Fund?
Down Masonic Widows' Fund does not accept unsolicited applications. Funding is by invitation. A fit check still tells you whether your work aligns with their published remit.
Similar funders
Other UK funders with overlapping focus — not a claim they fund the same charities.
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