Pillar Fund
Donation and Standing Order Form
Since its establishment in 1924, the Orders have conducted its administrative affairs initially from private homes or more recently from rented premises. As the Orders have grown over the years the procurement of our own premises would be an ideal aim and ensure the Orders’ continuance for years to come.
In order to do this The Pillar Fund was established in 2012, to which it is hoped that all members of the Orders will contribute. It is operated under a Trust Deed, thus ring-fencing the assets from those of Grand College.
The current rented premises extend to only 675 sq ft, which is less than the footprint of a modern three bedroom semi. This leaves barely enough space for any storage. Suitable alternative accommodation must, therefore, be the medium term goal of the Orders.
The Pillar Fund was officially launched at Annual Assembly in June 2012. Whilst there is no “fixed” target of funds required to house the Orders, in view of the current price of property in the City of York, and the availability of suitable properties that the Orders deserve, a minimum figure in excess of £750,000 is not unrealistic.
At Annual Assembly in June 2022 it was reported that the fund had now exceeded £500,000, a true milestone. A professional firm have been employed to look for suitable properties, however the requirements in terms of location, facilities and type of building mean that the opportunities are rare, but it is hoped that premises that the Orders truly deserve will be found in due time.
A standing order form is available by clicking on the link below for those that wish to make a regular contribution to the Fund.
| Individual | Tabernacle – Per Member | District – Per Member# | |
|---|---|---|---|
Green | £100* | £70 | £70 |
Sky Blue | £150 | £100 | £100 |
Grey | £400 | £225 | £225 |
Royal Blue | £750 | £350 | £350 |
Red | £1,250 | £475 | £475 |
Black | £1,800 | £600 | £600 |
White | £2,500 | £725 | £725 |
Gold | £4,000 | £850 | £850 |
Vice-Patron | £8,000 | £1,000 | £1,000 |
Patron | £12,000 | £1,500 | £1,500 |
Grand Patron | £16,000 | £2,000 | £2,000 |
*Lapel Pin
#Excludes Inst HPs Tabernacles
At Annual Assembly in June 2019 it was reported that :-
“The Pillar Fund has now been going for five years and as you will see from the financial statements that it had grown to over £300k at the year end and is now approaching £325k. Whilst this is a tremendous effort continued support is needed to raise sufficient funds to purchase a suitable property in the City. A property sub-committee continues to look at opportunities, of which there have been a few, but as yet none have been identified as suitable.”
Since June 2019 support has continued and by May 2020 the fund had almost reached £400,000. We continue to actively look at purchasing opportunities – and as the fund grows this will provide wider scope.