The Durham Masonic Benevolent Fund
Could The Durham Masonic Benevolent Fund fund your project? Check fit free. Draft if yes — or shortlist better matches.
- Where they fund
- County Durham, Darlington, Gateshead
- Applications
- Accepted
- Decisions
- Quarterly
Works for Registered charities, CIOs, CICs and community groups.
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register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.ukAbout The Durham Masonic Benevolent Fund
The Durham Masonic Benevolent Fund, operating as Durham Freemasons Charity, is a Masonic charitable trust established to relieve poverty and distress among Freemasons, their widows and relatives, as well as supporting Masonic charities and other charitable institutions. Guided by values of service, benevolence and integrity, the Trust provides direct financial assistance and grants to both individuals and organisations. It supports a wide range of charitable causes across County Durham and neighbouring areas, including Gateshead, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees and Darlington. The fund prioritises poverty alleviation, health and social care, disability support, youth needs, elderly care, housing initiatives and community welfare. What makes the Trust distinctive is its dual focus on supporting Masonic beneficiaries alongside wider community needs.
What The Durham Masonic Benevolent Fund funds
They fund a variety of causes including poverty alleviation and financial hardship relief for individuals and families in crisis, health and social care services such as hospices and community safety projects, disability support including sheltered accommodation and day services, youth needs through children's charities offering after-school activities and mentoring, elderly care addressing isolation via housing and befriending, housing initiatives preventing homelessness, and broader community welfare such as family support and carer respite. All funded work must benefit people within County Durham, Darlington, Gateshead, Hartlepool, South Tyneside, Stockton-on-Tees or Sunderland, with a priority on County Durham.
Who can apply
Registered charities and community groups based in the geographic area can apply for grants. The Trust also makes direct grants to individuals, particularly young people aged 18 or under through its Youth Fund. Beneficiaries include families in crisis, people with disabilities, elderly residents, and Masonic families. While the funder has a Masonic heritage, it supports both Masonic beneficiaries and the wider community. Local connection to the area is required.
What The Durham Masonic Benevolent Fund doesn't fund
They do not typically fund national or non-local activities, services that duplicate existing provision, or projects that lack a direct local impact on the communities they serve. Applications from outside the defined geographic area are not considered.
How they like to fund
The Trust provides direct financial assistance and grants to individuals and organisations, supporting a range of activities from emergency aid to community projects. It welcomes unsolicited applications from within its geographic area.
How much does The Durham Masonic Benevolent Fund give?
The Durham Masonic Benevolent Fund runs one grant programme. Every figure below is sourced from their published guidance.
Last verified 8 August 2026 · 6 sourced facts
- Online application form
- 4 rounds a year
Those are the published figures. What your charity could realistically get — and whether you'd clear their rules on income, location and legal structure — is what the free fit check answers.
Good to know
How to apply to The Durham Masonic Benevolent Fund
The Durham Masonic Benevolent Fund takes applications via online application form.
- Decisions are typically quarterly.
- Check whether your charity is in scope before you spend time on a full bid.
What The Durham Masonic Benevolent Fund's application asks
We hold the 13 questions from The Durham Masonic Benevolent Fund's application form, word for word — so you know exactly what you're signing up to answer.
“1. Name of applicant. *”
“2. Date of birth. *”
11 more questions from their form, plus answers drafted from your charity's real data if you decide to apply.
How it works
- 1Describe your project. Once — used for this funder and others.
- 2See if this could be a fit. Honest check on cause, place, size, and rules.
- 3Draft if yes. From your real data — or move on if not.
See if The Durham Masonic Benevolent Fund could be a fit. Draft if yes.
The Durham Masonic Benevolent Fund on the charity register
Registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales as Durham Freemasons Charity, charity number 279313.
Frequently asked questions
How much funding does The Durham Masonic Benevolent Fund provide?
Grant amounts vary. Contact The Durham Masonic Benevolent Fund directly for current funding levels.
Where does The Durham Masonic Benevolent Fund fund charities?
The Durham Masonic Benevolent Fund funds charities operating in County Durham, Darlington, Gateshead.
Does The Durham Masonic Benevolent Fund accept unsolicited applications?
The Durham Masonic Benevolent Fund accepts unsolicited applications from eligible organisations. Current programme status is on this page — do not assume a round is open.
How do I apply for funding from The Durham Masonic Benevolent Fund?
The Durham Masonic Benevolent Fund takes applications via online application form. Decisions are typically quarterly.
Similar funders
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Could The Durham Masonic Benevolent Fund be a fit?
Check free. Draft if yes, or shortlist better matches.