Essex Provincial Charity Fund

The Essex Provincial Charity Fund, established by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Essex Freemasons and registered as charity number 1185801, is a Wickford-based grantmaker rooted in masonic traditions of philanthropy, fraternity, mutual aid, and civic responsibility. Its core mission focuses on alleviating hardship, advancing health and wellbeing, and promoting community service, primarily benefiting Freemasons, their dependants, and local Essex causes through practical, impactful support that relieves poverty, distress, sickness, and disability.

It funds a broad range of health, welfare, and social initiatives, including emergency hardship grants, mobility equipment, care for the ill or disabled, hospice support (e.g., St Francis Hospice), mental health services, youth programmes, special needs, end-of-life care, and efforts addressing social isolation among children, elderly, and vulnerable groups. Grants target project-specific costs for local charities, voluntary groups, and community organisations serving Essex, emphasising tangible relief and community infrastructure over large-scale efforts.

Eligible applicants are limited to UK-registered charities and community groups operating exclusively in Essex, with a preference for small to medium-sized, grassroots entities (no strict income thresholds). Unsolicited applications are not accepted; trustees identify and award grants via established networks on a flexible, needs-driven basis with no fixed deadlines or open rounds—decisions align to adhoc trustee meetings.

Typical grants range from £1,000 to £10,000, focusing on one-off project or emergency needs rather than core costs, capacity building, or unrestricted support. Distinctively tied to Essex Freemasons, it stands out for its hands-on, local ethos, transparent governance, and exclusion of national initiatives, religious restrictions, or direct applications, prioritising aligned, high-impact Essex projects.