The Grand Charity
Analysis
The Grand Charity is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in February 1981, 45 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, the advancement of health or saving of lives, disability and the prevention or relief of poverty, which this site groups under health and saving lives. Legally it is a charitable trust. It says it makes grants to individuals, makes grants to organisations and provides services.
In the financial year ending March 2025, The Grand Charity reported income of £16.0m and spending of £14.8m, spending 93% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £8.5m to £16.0m (+89%), an average of +17% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2023, when income rose by 32%. Over the whole period it spent 103% of the income it received.
Among 24,651 England and Wales charities whose main cause is health and saving lives and that reported income, The Grand Charity sits at the 99th percentile: it is larger than about 99% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Ronald McDonald House UK (£15.9m), Pohwer (£16.0m) and Hospice in the Weald (£15.9m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 93% and investments 6.6%. Charitable activities took 100% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Grants to other organisations totalled £5.0m.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 93%
- Investments 6.6%
In the charity's own words
THE FREEMASONS' GRAND CHARITY IS THE CENTRAL GRANT-GIVING CHARITY OF ALL ENGLISH CONSTITUTION FREEMASONS. ITS OBJECTS ARE VERY BROAD AND GIVE DISCRETION TO THE COUNCIL TO DETERMINE CHARITABLE POLICIES. THE TWO PRIMARY ACTIVITIES ARE 1. GRANTS: FOR MASONS OR THEIR DEPENDANTS; OTHER MASONIC CHARITIES & NON-MASONIC CHARITIES. 2. MANAGING THE RELIEF CHEST SCHEME.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald McDonald House UK | London | £15.9m |
| Pohwer | Hertfordshire | £16.0m |
| Hospice in the Weald | Tunbridge Wells | £15.9m |
| The Congregation of the Daughters of the Cross of Liege | Surrey | £16.0m |