West Wales Grand Charity

The West Wales Grand Charity, established in August 1982 and registered in 1983, is a Freemasonry-linked funder that raises money from members in the Province of West Wales to support both masonic and non-masonic causes. Governed by six senior masonic trustees and guided by Provincial Grand Charity Rules, it embodies Freemasonry's values of integrity, kindness, and generosity, channeling voluntary donations into community benefits through a structured appeals committee and lodge networks. Its distinctive approach blends masonic stewardship with broad philanthropy, maintaining prudent reserves and subsidiary trusts like the David and Elonwy Evans Masonic Trust Fund.

It funds general charitable purposes, including health and sickness relief (e.g., hospices like Shalom House and Paul Sartori), education/training, disability relief, and aid for individuals in distress or local organizations such as youth groups, musical societies, foodbanks, and healthcare equipment needs. Grants support projects, core costs, capital items, and emergency relief, prioritizing grassroots voluntary sector bodies, community services, and crisis response within Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, and Ceredigion, with rare national extensions.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities and community groups based strictly in these counties, with a preference for small to medium-sized entities; there are no formal income thresholds. It does not accept unsolicited applications—requests must come via masonic lodges, almoners, or the Grand Charity Appeal Form, with trustee decisions on a rolling basis (typically 2-4 meetings yearly). Typical grants range from £500 to £5,000.

Unlike open funders, it excludes public applications and focuses on masonic-recommended needs, differentiating it through its Freemason governance, local lodge ties, and hybrid masonic-community focus rather than broad public trusts.