Benevolent Fund

The Benevolent Fund Trust (BFT) is a registered charity, separate to CIBSE, but set up by CIBSE members to help members, former members and their dependants who have fallen on hard times and have significant needs.

Every year, the CIBSE Benevolent Fund provides help to CIBSE members, former members and their dependants who are in need, whether through sickness, bereavement or financial hardship. Present and former members of CIBSE, IHVE and IES, and their dependents, are eligible for help. There are three main sources of income to the Fund: donations, from members at renewal time; dividends on BFT investments; and one-off donations from members, Regions and CIBSE events.

Members helping members, and their dependants, in need

The Benevolent Fund was set up in 1933 as the IHVE Benevolent Fund. Since then it has provided assistance to hundreds of individuals, their families and dependants as well as arranging for the CIBSE subscriptions of numerous members to be waived during periods when they have been unwell and unable to work.  

The Fund exists to provide help to members, former members and their dependants who are suffering hardship. Its formal objective, as set out in the Declaration of Trust, is:

"The relief of persons who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress and who are members or former members of the Institution of Heating and Ventilating Engineers or of the Illuminating Engineering Society of Great Britain or of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers and the immediate dependents of such persons."

The Fund's Almoners - volunteers who cover each Region of the Institution - visit those in need to assess their circumstances. The Almoners provide much valuable advice, as well as making recommendations to the Fund's Management Committee for financial support where this is appropriate. Many clients receive a regular quarterly grant payment, whilst others are assisted with specific, one-off needs. In some cases, financial support may not be required, but the personal contact from the Almoner can still be of great benefit in itself.

Trustees

The Trustees look after the finances of the Fund and other legal requirements and set the principles under which support and financial assistance is provided.

Kevin Kelly (Chair)
Vince Arnold
Ken Beecroft
John Field
Raymond Gooding
Lionel James
John McLean
Alan McWilliam
John Sproxton
James Stocker