The process of donating money to the 2021 Festival is very straight forward and clearly outlined in the 2021 Festival Handbook and on this website. Wherever possible it is vital to take advantage of claiming Gift Aid. Whichever method you choose to donate your contributions will be recorded by the MCF towards the Lodge Honorifics and jewel qualification.
Regular Donations
The easiest way to donate to the Durham 2021 Festival is by a regular donation each month. You can now do this by post, telephone or online.
By Post
You can obtain the regular donation form from your Lodge Charity Steward or click on the link below to print off a form yourself and send to the address on the form, don't forget to tick the Gift Aid box to increase your donation by 25% free from the government as a tax payer.
By Telephone
Donor contacts the Relief Chest office with bank details to hand (a dedicated telephone line has been set up – 020 3146 3346 – Monday to Thursday 9:30am to 4:30pm, Friday 9:30am to 3:30pm)
Donor provides the following personal and other information:
- Name and address
- Bank Sort Code and account number
- Amount of donation, the frequency and duration
- Durham relief chest number which is E0124
- Details of own Lodge, Chapter etc.
- Gift Aid declaration
Click here to download the guide "Making Regular donations by telephone.
Online
To donate online just click here and follow the onscreen instructions when requested, the relief chest number for Durham is E0124.
Single Donations
A single donation can be made in several ways, one off payment to the Lodge Charity Steward who will complete a single donation form. You can also download the form yourself (see below) and send it to the address on the form, don't forget to include the Gift Aid Declaration section for tax payers to claim tax relief which will increase your payment by 25% for free.
The Envelope Scheme
We are familiar with using the gift aid envelopes at our Provincial Meetings and they have proved very successful, why not try them in your Lodges in place of the standard collection or at the festive board. If the Lodge collection is normally for the Almoners fund then seek permission if you may use the gift aid envelope at one or two meetings a year.
The scheme has proved very successful in other Provinces with 25p being added in gift aid to every pound donated by a tax payer.
Lodge draws a cheque payable to the Charity for the total amount sending the cheque; Verification form + the completed slip from the envelopes to the Charity.
To Quote our Provincial Grand Master “The dripping tap will fill the bath”
The Charity Steward / Treasurer who is responsible for the envelopes will collate the tear off slips, complete a simple verification form and post with a Cheque to
Relief Chest Scheme
The Freemasons' Grand Charity
60 Great Queen Street
London
WC2B 5AZ
These envelope slips are NOT to be sent to Provincial Office
- How to complete a Gift Aid Envelope
- Gift Aid Envelope Verification Schedule - bank
- Gift Aid Envelope Verification Schedule - post
Raffles
Proceeds for Lodge Raffles can go direct by Cheque, to the MCF but will not attract Gift Aid.
Lodge Relief Chest
Donations can be made direct to the MCF from funds held in your Lodge Relief Chest by using the blue transfer form (available from your lodge) and must be accompanied by a breakdown of who has donated, and how much, within the total transferred.
Lodge Benevolent funds
Donations can be made from Lodge Benevolent funds but will not attract Gift Aid.
Donate online
We also have access to online giving through our “Everyday Hero “ which allows one off donations and also the option to set up specific fund raising pages if you want to do a sponsored event.
Text your donation
Text DURHAM to 70500, will allow you to make a £5 donation to the MCF
In short, however you wish to donate will be acceptable to the Charity. There is no need to pass your donations through the Province as the MCF will be managing the process of claiming Gift Aid where applicable, and providing up to date financial information to our Province. Should you have any difficulties in identifying the correct method for your contribution contact the Festival Treasurer Mike Cockerton at Durham Provincial Office.
Further information can be obtain by downloading RCS Text Donation Service.