The Somerset Masonic Charity (SMC) and the Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) working together
The Somerset Masonic Charity (SMC) is the Provincial charity for the Province of Somerset. It is managed by a team of Brethren from across the Province, who are ably led by the Provincial Grand Charity Steward, Graham Puddy. This team promotes and supports charitable work in the province in general, and in particular, generates statistics on charitable giving in Somerset, manages donations from the Province, approves Lodge Support Funding, decides on how the money invested with the SMC is spent, and much more.
The Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) is an entirely separate charity. The SCF is funded by local people, businesses, charitable trusts and public sector partners, and as its name suggests, is a charity for worthy causes here in Somerset. Thanks to the generosity of their many supporters and partners (we are one, but you may also see another name you recognise…”Medlock Fund“), they have awarded more than £31 million of funding since being formed in 2002.
Around 16 years ago, while David Jenkins was Provincial Grand Master, a legacy, backed by a Government grant was invested by the province with the SMC, resulting in the creation of an endowment fund, which generates approximately £10k per year. From a large number of applicants (~400 groups and ~400 individuals in 2024), and on a quarterly basis, the SCF selects and submits those which fit the profile for the SMC, and the SMC team then replies to say which the Provincial would like to support.
Over the last 16 years, the Provincial of Somerset, through the SMC, has donated approximately £70,000, to around 101 groups, benefiting at least 8000 individuals. Not bad at all !!!
Fiona Foster, a Senior Philanthropy Manager at the SCF joined a SMC committee meeting on 14th June 2025, to bring everyone up to date with any news from the SMC, and to provide an update on donations following the 15 year anniversary celebration last year. Fiona says “I have the best job in the world; I work with people who want to donate, and then have the opportunity to donate this to great causes.“. For more information on SCF grants, please see the document below, or why not sign up to the SCF newsletter.
The SMC committee would like to thank Fiona for her time on the 14th June, and very much look forward to continuing to work with the SCF for many years to come.
