Gloucestershire Freemasons Grant Programme
Our Freemasons grant programme supports initiatives for older people, people with disabilities and young people facing disadvantage. This programme is open to organisations in Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire and is particularly interested in supporting smaller, grassroots organisations where a grant of £2,000 can make a significant difference.
deadline
Rounds to be confirmed for 2026grant amount
Between £250 and £2,000current status
ClosedAbout the Freemasons Grant Programme
The Freemasons Fund was established with Gloucestershire Community Foundation in 2010. Their original investment was matched by the government as part of the Office of the Third Sector’s Grassroots Grants endowment building programme for Community Foundations.
The Freemasons Grant Programme supports initiatives for older people, people with disabilities and young people facing disadvantage. This programme is open to organisations in Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire.
Who can apply?
Freemasons Grants are targeted at small, local, voluntary and community organisations where a small amount of money can make a significant difference. Applicants must be based and working in Gloucestershire (including South Gloucestershire). Most successful applicants have an annual income of less than £350,000.
To apply to the Freemasons Programme you do not have to be a registered charity, as long as the work you do has charitable aims and you have a constitution (set of rules), a management committee, use of a group bank account with at least two signatories, and a child or vulnerable persons safeguarding policy.
We aim to fund organisations working with:
- older people
- those with disabilities and
- young people facing disadvantage.
What can you apply for?
This funding programme prioritises applications for funding towards specific project costs or items of equipment.
Recently awarded projects include:
- Specialised summer playscheme for children and young people with disabilities
- Creation of an inclusive and accessible woodland site for conservation and wellbeing activities for people with mental health difficulties
- Peer mentor programme for disadvantaged young people supporting their engagement in youth projects
- Equipment for older men with disabilities to undertake woodwork activities
How much do we award?
Grants range in size between £250 and £2,000. Please note, there is a high level of demand for this fund. On average the panel support around 4-6 applications each round with a total funding value of £7,000-£8,000. Application success rates are around 20-25%.
Application deadlines
The final round has closed for 2025. Application deadlines for 2026 will be published shortly.
Grant Guidelines
Please ensure you satisfy all of the criteria and conditions outlined within the Grant Guidelines.
Do contact us if you have any questions or would like to discuss your project/need prior to submitting an application.
The guidelines are available by clicking on the button to the right.
How to Apply
Please click on the Apply Now button below to submit an application.
As part of the full online application process you will be asked to attach the following supporting documents:
- A constitution/governing document/set of rules, that sets out the purpose of your organisation and how it is managed.
- A copy of your most recent annual accounts or financial records (if not already publicly available). If you do not have financial records that cover a full year then you will need to provide the records you currently have.
- A safeguarding policy if your organisation works directly with children or vulnerable adults.
- If your application is successful, we will also request a copy of a bank statement or other evidence of a bank account in the name of your organisation. The bank account must have at least 2 signatories.
If you wish to see a Word version of the questions you will be asked in the main application form, you can view them HERE
Full Guidelines