Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire Benevolent Fund

The Provincial Grand Lodge of Devonshire Benevolent Fund, established in 1975 under Devonshire Freemasons, is a charitable endowment dedicated to distributing grants exclusively within Devon to alleviate hardship and enhance community wellbeing for Masonic and non-Masonic organisations and individuals alike. Rooted in Freemasonry's principles of fraternity, charity, compassion, and local stewardship, it channels funds—bolstered by a £2 million endowment—through member-driven nominations from over 130 lodges, fostering direct involvement, discretion, and responsive giving that strengthens Devon's social fabric without thematic restrictions.

It supports a broad spectrum of general charitable purposes, including poverty relief, health and lifesaving initiatives, disability support, education and training, amateur sport, culture and heritage, animal welfare, and environmental conservation. Key beneficiaries encompass children and young people, elderly individuals, people with disabilities, voluntary groups, and the wider public, with recent grants funding frontline needs like learning disability clubs, multi-sensory facilities for complex-needs children, hospices, youth centres, bereaved families, schools, and community projects—often for equipment, facilities, running costs, or one-off hardship aid.

Eligible entities are UK-registered charities, community groups, and academic institutions based in or serving Devon, typically grassroots or small-to-medium sized with no strict income limits but a preference for those demonstrating strong local impact. Unsolicited applications are not accepted; grants arise solely from lodge member nominations, reviewed internally for biannual awards at provincial gatherings with no public deadlines. Typical grants range from £500 to £10,000, emphasising modest, locally relevant support. Distinctively, it avoids national or non-Devon causes, statutory bodies, or political/religious proselytising, standing out for its embedded Freemasonry network and unwavering commitment to member-nominated, unrestricted benevolence.