Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India Charitable Trust

MERCi

The Charitable Trust of the Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India felt a need to make a paradigm shift in its reach and relevance of its charity activities of the Brethren and Lodges in Southern India, Also to significantly increase the impact and augment the benefit to the beneficiaries of Masonic Benevolence

Accordingly, the Trust reviewed and adopted the Vision which is to:

"Enable Masons and Masonic Lodges to practice the virtue of Charity by channeling resources through enabling programmes and strive to be a vehicle of choice for all charities of Masons and their connections"

The MERCi Recognition Scheme: MERCi is an acronym for "Masons Endowing Relief and Charitable Initiatives". Merci is also "thank you" in French and an expression of gratitude - that must always be

The MERCi Recognition Scheme provides for Masons and Masonic Lodges to:

1. Donate to the Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India Charitable Trust with a concomitant recognition being granted to their cumulative contribution. The recognition is meant to be an expression of thanks by the RGL SI Charitable Trust to the Donor, in as much to encourage potential

2. Direct the use of such donations and/or the earnings therefrom, within reasonable guidelines formulated by the Charitable Trust, to charitable activities/causes emanating from the Lodges, Areas, or the Southern Region, as per their choice.

A. RECOGNITIONS

1. MERCi Donor Jewels: Mounted on Yellow or Orange ribbons for donations (one time or cumulative) for donations as mentioned below with a bar indicating the year of donation with an additional bar with year for each incremental donation.

INR 25,000/- Bronze with additional Bronze Bar for each INR 25,000/-

INR 1,00,000/- Silver with additional Bronze Bar for each INR 25,000/- or Silver Bar for each INR 1,00,000/-

INR 5,00,000/- Gold with additional Silver Bar for each INR 1,00,000

INR 10,00,000/- Gold Breast Plate with Glory with a Diamond Stud for each additional INR 5,00,000/-

A.2. MERCi Infinity Donor Jewels: Mounted on purple ribbons for pledge of annual donations. The Jewels can be worn/displayed after the pledge and first donation and as long as the Mason or Lodge keeps fulfilling their annual commitment. They can additionally wear MERCi Donor Jewels appropriate to their level of donation. Recognitions are as below:

for Annual donations of INR 25,000/- Bronze

for Annual donations of INR 1,00,000/- Silver

for Annual donations of INR 5,00,000/- or more, Gold.

B. DESIGNATED ENDOWMENTS

Donors can create Endowment Funds as per following guidelines:

B.1. Memorial or Designated Scholarships for Donations of INR 1,00,000/- or more:

Ninety percent of the earnings of the funds endowed will be given as Scholarships as per choice of the donor (and the balance Ten percent will be used for covering administrative expenses and reinvestment). Donors can make a one-time designation of the Scholarship for

Specific Lodge

Gender of recipient

Genre of Education (School, Technical, Medical etc.,)

B.2. Endowed Funds for Any Chosen Cause for donations of INR 5,00,000/- or more:

Ninety percent of the earnings of the funds endowed will be given as Financial Assistance towards any worthy cause as per donor's choice, examples being Primary Health Clinic, Blood Bank, Dialysis Centre, Cancer Treatment, Natural Calamity, etc., (and the balance Ten percent will be used for covering administrative expenses and reinvestment).

Donors can make a one-time designation specifying any one or both among the following:

Specific Lodge/ Area / the Southern Region

Cause / grouping of recipient

C. Lodge Endowed Funds: Contributions made by Lodges of INR 1,00,000/- or more:

Ninety percent of the earnings of the funds endowed will be given as Scholarships as per choice of the donor (and the balance Ten percent will be used for covering administrative expenses and reinvestment) and will be given to the Lodge for its charitable work.

All the above schemes are subject to evaluation of applications and stewardship norms as finalized by the Charitable Trust, and the funds can be accumulated over a period of only three years beyond which the earnings will be migrated to the general funds of the Trust for its regular charitable activities. All Endowment donations would be eligible for MERCi Donor Jewels.

Masons and Lodges can also donate for other specific projects and the Charitable Trust will disburse the same accordingly subject to its stewardship norms. Such donations will be eligible for MERCi Jewels. However, contributions from Lodges that seek a matching grant will not be eligible for MERCi Recognitions. All donations qualify for tax exemptions as per existing norms under Sec 80G of the Income Tax Act.

Right Worshipful the Regional Grand Master will present MERCi Donor Jewels at the RGL meets or at other appropriate meetings where donors are present.

� together, we can;

� together, we will:

for, we as Masons are there

for those who need us the most!

To Contribute to MERCi please click here:

Frequently Asked Questions

Why MERCi?

Charity by Masons is not new; Freemasons and their Lodges have traditionally practiced charity ac. MERCi is to Channel such Resources Through Enabling Programmes, Augment the Kitty and to Spread the Benefits to a Wider, Larger Number of Beneficiaries in a long-term sustainable manner. It is a initiative to bring method into charitable giving and projects.

Who can participate in MERCi?

Anyone with a heart and the means to contribute, of course within the limits dictated by prudence; Freemasons, Masonic Lodges, Family members of Masons, Individuals, Corporates, Charitable Trusts, NGOs, �

Who can benefit from the activities and proceeds of MERCi?

MERCi allows donors to direct the proceeds of their charity to the genre of education, and the Lodge/ area which will disburse. Non endowment and giving without a specific direction will be used to support Masonic Relief and Charitable activity undertaken by the Trust directly or through our Lodges and Masonic Bodies. Any needy individual who is deserving of the support, and whose requirement falls within the guidelines prescribed by the Trust can be a beneficiary. It is intended that Lodges choose beneficiaries and the Trust only ensures proper Stewardship and Transparency.

What are the projects that MERCi would support?

Any laudable cause - be it for health care, education, benevolence, natural disaster, �

Why and What are the Recognitions bandied with MERCi?

MERCi Recognition is a humble, public announcement of the Donor�s charitable disposition expressing the collective gratitude of the Charitable Trust and the Beneficiary for the noble gesture of sharing a little of one�s prosperity with the needy. Also to spread awareness among other donors and to inspire them to step up to the plate

How can I contribute to MERCi?

Through crossed cheques or bank drafts drawn in favour of and sent to:

The Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India Charitable Trust,

Freemasons Hall,

14 Ethiraj Salai, Egmore,

Chennai 600 008, INDIA

or electronically transferred to the bank coordinates:

REGIONAL GRAND LODGE OF SOUTHERN INDIA CHARITABLE TRUST

Savings Bank A/C NO: 422132198

INDIAN BANK; Ethiraj Salai Branch, Chennai 600 008, INDIA.

CBS CODE : 00495; IFS CODE : IDIB000C032

Please keep the Executive Secretary informed of all contributions to track the donations and to help administer them efficiently.

Can non-Masons and other organisations also participate in MERCi?

Anyone can contribute at will, be they individuals, organisations, bodies corporate, Charitable Trusts, NGOs, SHGs

Do contributions to MERCi qualify for benefits under Sec 80G of the Indian Income Tax Act?

Most certainly, Yes!

Does MERCi Qualify to receive CSR funds of Corporates?

Of course, Yes! We can help you work with each potential Corporate to devise a plan in consonance with their CSR objectives.

Can MERCi receive donations from overseas contributors?

The Charitable Trust is in the process of obtaining necessary statutory sanctions from the Government of India and as soon as these are in place, contributions from overseas donors and Corporates who are foreign owned would be welcome

Who administers MERCi? Who and How to contact the administrators of MERCi?

An empowered Executive Committee of the Charitable Trust of the Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India administers MERCi.

The Executive Secretary, The Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India Charitable Trust, Freemasons Hall, 14 Ethiraj Salai, Egmore, Chennai 600 008, INDIA

Email: rglsicharity@gmail.com

Tel No: +91 44 2827 2311; +91 44 2820 2423; or to Dr. Gurumurti Natarajan at +91 9444 222 616

Is MERCi a time bound programme?

No. MERCi is intended to exist perpetuity- for so long as there are benevolent donors and people to be benefitted from Masonic Relief and Charity

Why channel charity through the RGL SI Charitable Trust or MERCi?

For Many Good Reasons�

The Charitable Trust of the Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India enjoys an unbroken, impeccable track record of abundant charitable activities for 35 long years � from its inception in the year 1979

The Charitable Trust is a duly registered Trust under the ambit of law, is governed by an eminent team of Trustees, its activities are certified by independent professional chartered accountants and statutory auditors and has been a regular assesse under the Indian Income Tax Act

Donors are enabled to perpetuate their charity activities of Donations as per their will and pleasure when channeled through the Charitable Trust without dilution or deviation of intent within the ambit of the stated principles of the Charitable Trust. In the case of Endowments, however, ten percent of the interest accrued from deploying the contribution is partially used for administrative expenses and the balance ploughed back to the Endowment.

The Charitable Trust in certain instances enhances the value of the Donation by providing a Matching Grant, thus enabling the Donor to give a larger assistance to the recipient or to enlarge the number of recipients.

All contributions to the Charitable Trust of the Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India qualify for exemptions under Sec 80G of the Indian Income Tax Act. Not all Freemasons� Lodges have their own Charitable Trusts so as to help donors benefit from Sec 80G Benefits. Therefore many donors that wish to avail of this lawful benefit wish to route their donations through The Charitable Trust of the Regional Grand Lodge of Southern India.

Any Questions, Comments, Suggestions to the RGL SI Charitable Trust or MERCi?

Please spare us your time and thoughts � kindly communicate to the Executive Secretary