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“Of my own free Will…”
is the slogan of the joint Legacy Appeal
being mounted on behalf of the four Central
Masonic Charities (CMCs), i.e. the Grand
Charity, the New Masonic Samaritan
Fund, the Royal Masonic Benevolent
Institution, and the Royal Masonic Trust
for Girls & Boys.
The Appeal was announced at the
December 2006 Grand Lodge Quarterly
Communication meeting, where it
was given the full support of the the
Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Kent,
who has accepted the role of Patron of
the Appeal.
The idea of a specific, joint appeal to
promote legacy-giving for the benefit of
the CMCs was first considered towards the
end of 2004, when the Presidents and Chief
Executives of the four Charities decided
to seek professional advice and guidance
on appeals for legacies.
Two of the UK’s foremost companies
in legacy and fundraising campaigns
(Smee & Ford, and Compton International)
were commissioned to carry out an initial
feasibility study, followed by market
research with a cross-section of Freemasons,
and finally to produce a proposal as to the
best course of action.
The research showed overwhelmingly
that Freemasons, their wives and widows
would strongly support an appeal designed
to improve their understanding of the
intricacies and importance of making
a Will, and would look favourably at the
possibility of leaving a gift to one of the
Masonic charities.
This strong support was clearly illustrated
by the following selection of quotes from
those interviewed:
“It would be great to see the Charities working
together to create one conduit for legacies...”
“I would never have thought about Wills and
legacies as a way to proceed…But the way it’s
represented here has made me rethink it all.”
“I can see at least five out of the 50 in my
Lodge agreeing to make a legacy – and maybe
many more.”
The study confirmed that current income
levels from legacies remain considerably
below what might be expected from an
organisation with as many members as the
United Grand Lodge of England and also
gave some pointers as to why this might be:
“I’ve been raising money for the Masons for
20 years, and have never thought to offer legacies
as an option.”
“Of course legacy income is lower than it should be
– people don’t know enough about the importance
and benefits of making a gift in a Will.”
The final report suggested that a joint appeal
would offer the most cost-effective way
forward, and that a Legacy Manager be
recruited to design and deliver the Legacy
Appeal. These proposals were accepted, and
W Bro Mike Wheal, a West Kent Mason,
was appointed in July 2006.
The four Charities derive their income
solely from Freemasons and their families,
by way of Festivals, appeals, legacies and
donations. To this is added income from
investments, most of which originated as
gifts from Brethren over the years.
The CMCs are proud of the day-to-day
‘cradle-to-grave’ help that they are able to
provide to the ‘Masonic Family’, as well
as giving assistance to non-Masonic good
causes and helping when national or
international disasters occur.
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Charitable support
to the entire Masonic
Family is a long-term
commitment
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Copyright 2002-2007
MQ Magazine
Web site created by Mark Griffin
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