ROYAL MASONIC TRUST FOR GIRLS AND BOYS
Registered Charity No. 285836

Mission Statement To continue to relieve poverty and provide an education and preparation for life for the children of the family of a Freemason and, where funds permit, for any children, as their fathers would haue done, had they been able so to do.

In the mid-1980’s two national charities were brought together to form the Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys (MTGB). The former charities, the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls (RMIG) and the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys (RMIB), were merged by act of parliament and given the overall aim of relieving poverty and advancing education of children of all ages.

The girls’ charity was set up in 1788 and was, in every sense, a Victorian institution. The trust deeds allowed for legitimate daughters of and female children legally adopted by Freemasons who, from some unexpected calamity, were driven into poverty, to be educated at the School. All girls were boarders and educated free, unless it was deemed that a parental contribution was required in accordance with income of the parent(s). The boys’ charity followed in 1798 (although there was no separate School for 60 years) along similar lines to that for the girls. The Boys’ School was sold in 1977 and the money raised was, and still is, used for supporting boys whatever school is best suited to their needs. The Girls School was not sold, but in 1982 set up as a separate foundation as a girls’ public school (The Rickmansworth Masonic School, but since renamed the Royal Masonic School for Girls) operating in the private sector in competition with all others in the area. The School can provide sheltered accommodation when required.

The aim of the merger was to create one new body having wider terms of reference and able to give greater assistance to the children of distressed Freemasons and, when resources permitted, to give relief to children outside the Craft.

The Petitions Committee considers petitions submitted to the Secretary through sponsoring Lodges. In the case of Provincial Lodges these are transmitted through, and reported on, by the Provincial Grand Lodge.

Forms of Petition for children to be admitted to benefits are obtainable from the Provincial office. Petitions are considered at the earliest opportunity after completion and return to the Secretary of the Trust.

Lodges sponsoring Petitions are invited to nominate a Case Almoner to supervise the particular case and act as the communication, and frequently the executive, link between the Trust and the child, the parents or guardian. The attention of Lodges and potential Case Almoners is invited to an informative pamphlet on the duties of this officer published by the Trust.

The Trust depends on Lodges for information about cases of distress which may qualify for assistance. All members of Lodges are urged, therefore, to be particularly vigilant in this respect. When a case comes to light, the Lodge Secretary or Lodge Almoner should at once inform the Secretary of the Trust through the Provincial Grand Secretary. In cases of difficulty the Secretary of the Trust and his Staff are at all times ready to help.

With regard to assistance to children who are not the children of a Freemason, the Council has decided that assistance under this secondary object should usually take the form of donations to children’s charities with similar objects as those of the Trust.

During 2003 the Trust supported 2057 boys and girls at schools, colleges and universities. In addition, 95 girls and boys received grants from subsidiary funds and 923 young people were granted Undergrad/Aid and 67 received Talent Aid making a total of 3,142. Sixty non-Masonic organisations benefited from donations. The MTGB relies on donations from Freemasons and their families to sustain its valuable work.

Assistance is provided in every practicable way to relieve poverty and advance education This includes maintenance allowances to assist with the family support for the child; grants for books, clothing, food, accommodation, fees, educational travel, equipment and materials; topping up Student Loans with scholarships; educational holidays; topping up wages received when training where these are inadequate; and educational and career counselling.

All these examples are of payments which would have been made by the parent or guardian had they been able so to do. The one important area of assistance given which is difficult to cost or quantify is advice. This is given from a wealth of experience built up over the years in the Institutions and now combined in the Trust. Help is given through personal interviews with the Secretary or Assistant Secretaries, visits by the Professional Welfare Adviser or Almoner, or appointments with professional counsellors.

The Twentieth Anniversary Festival of the Trust was held in 2005, under the Presidency of the Provincial Grand Master for East Kent.