Dear Brethren,
Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF)
I write on behalf of myself and my co representative Worshipful Brother Patrick Pattison in our capacity as MCF representatives for the Masonic Province of South Wales.
As you will all be aware the Pro Grand Master Peter Lowndes announced at the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge on Wednesday, 9th September 2015 that a new charity called the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) was to be established, bringing together the charitable activities of the four existing central Masonic Charities.
At the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge on Wednesday, 9th September, the Pro Grand Master said:
“The Masonic Charitable Foundation will continue to offer the same support and services to those Freemasons and family members who need help, as well as support for non-Masonic charitable causes that the Craft wishes to assist.”
The Masonic Charitable Foundation will be one of the largest charities in the country and will rely on the generosity of Freemasons for its funds.
The Masonic Charitable Foundation has been registered with the Charity Commission and has now been fully formed and approved by the Charity Commission and commenced its operations on the 1st April 2016.
As part of the formation of the MCF each Provincial / Metropolitan Grand Lodge has to nominate two representatives each and then formally appoint them and as you are aware the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Right Worshipful Brother Gareth Jones OBE appointed myself, W.Bro Graham Wilson and W.Bro Patrick Pattison as MCF representatives for the Masonic Province of South Wales at the Provincial Grand Lodge Investiture last April.
Since the formation of the MCF the Inaugural Annual General Meeting was held on December 14th 2016 at the Grand Connaught Rooms, Great Queen Street London, in which the Ideals and Principles of the Foundation were rolled out and explained in detail.
The meeting was opened by David Innes, Chief Executive of the MCF followed with an Introduction by Richard Hone, QC President of the MCF and an in depth briefing as to the formation of the MCF by James Newman Deputy President of the MCF in addition we received an address from our very own Sir Paul Williams, OBE, DL, Chairman, RMBI Care Co, also an address by the Deputy Grand Master Jonathan Spence, Deputy Grand President of the MCF.
The MCF has made Grants to over 350 Charities since its formation April – December 2016
Amount Total £3,129,306
The Principle and Edicts of the Masonic Charitable Foundation- our new charity is for Freemasons, for families, for everyone.
With my best wishes,
Sincerely and fraternally,
W.Bro Graham Wilson Gonthier AGDC
MCF Representative for the Masonic Province of South Wales