ISM Members Fund
| How to donate: If you wish to make a donation to the Members Fund, please send a cheque, made payable to the Benevolent Fund of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, to the Members Fund Officer at 10 Stratford Place, London W1C 1AA. By signing a Gift Aid Declaration, UK tax payers will enable the Fund to reclaim the tax they have paid on the amount of their donation. Download a declaration form here. For further information contact the Members Fund officer at membership@ism.org or at ISM head office on 020 7629 4413. |
It Could Be You
The ISM Members Fund* exists to offer support to members (and former members and the partners and dependants of deceased members) who are experiencing financial difficulties. Many recipients of Fund assistance are members who find themselves unable to work for a prolonged period on account of illness or injury. In 2005, for example, the Fund helped members undergoing treatment for cancer and recovering from the after-effects of strokes. In other cases, mental health problems limit the amount of work members could safely undertake. Other beneficiaries include musicians unable to work because of injuries sustained to arms, hands and shoulders. Often, problems are compounded by the fact that the member has a young family to support.
While financial need is the qualifying criterion for Fund assistance, this does not mean that an individual has to be destitute to obtain help. Financial constraints can bring about distressing changes in lifestyle well before this stage is reached. The Fund can help at an earlier point - and would rather do so before things deteriorate too far and become intractable.
How To Apply
If you feel that you, or someone you know, might be in need of help from the Fund, you should contact the Members Fund Officer at 10 Stratford Place or at caroline@ism.org. All approaches to the Fund are treated in strict confidence. Applicants are asked to fill in an application form, which asks mainly about their personal finances. A decision on whether the Fund can assist them, and by how much, is then taken by the Grant-Making Committee, which consists of members appointed by the Trustees of the Fund (that is, the ISM's Council). Usually, applicants can expect to be informed of the Committee's decision within two or three weeks of sending back the completed application form. A quicker response can be obtained if the case is urgent.
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How You Can Help
The Fund depends on the generosity of members in more fortunate circumstances. Since its 
foundation in 1917, donations and legacies, mainly from members, have been used to build up a portfolio of investments which yield an income which is used to finance the Fund's charitable grants. Nevertheless, in recent years, growing calls on the Fund's help have meant that the Fund has tended to spend more than it receives in income. It now needs additional donations and legacies in order to be able to continue its work and assist members in the future.
If you wish to make a donation to the Members Fund, please send a cheque, made payable to the Benevolent Fund of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, to the Members Fund Officer at 10 Stratford Place, London W1C 1AA. By signing a Gift Aid Declaration, UK tax payers will enable the Fund to reclaim the tax they have paid on the amount of their donation. Download a declaration form here. For further information contact the Members Fund officer at membership@ism.org or at ISM head office on 020 7629 4413.
The Members Fund Officer would also be pleased to advise anyone considering leaving a legacy to the Members Fund on how to do this.
* The working name of the Benevolent Fund of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, registered charity no. 206801
