Charitable Foundation

Knights Templar Charitable Foundation of Canada

 

The Knights Templar Charitable Foundation of Canada was incorporated June 24, 2003 by the issuance of Letters Patent by the Minister of Industry under authority of the Canada Corporations Act. The Foundation was registered by Charities Directorate of Canada Customs and Revenue Agency as a Charity, designated as a Public Foundation.

 

Subsequently the capital funds held by the Knights Templar Widow’s, orphans and General Welfare Fund were transferred by The Sovereign Great Priory of Canada to The Knights Templar Charitable Foundation of Canada.

 

As a registered charity the Foundation is empowered to issue tax receipts for donations. Therefore tax receipts for all donations over $20.00. All donations go in to the capital fund in perpetuity and only earned interest is expended for the chatitable works of the Foundation.

 

As a registered charity the Foundation operates at arm’s lenght from the Sovereign Great Priory of Canada.

 

Objective

“The objective of the Foundation is to promote, encourage and carry on Charitable works within Canada including the relief of poverty and the advancement of education. And also to gift funds to other registered charities under the Income Tax Act.”

 

Governance

The Foundation is governed by a Board of Seven Directors elected annually by the membership at the Foundation’s Annual General Meeting held during the Annual Assembly of the Sovereign Great Priory of Canada. The Directors and Officers of the Foundation serve without remuneration or monetary consideration of any kind.

 

Divinty Student Bursaries

Bursaries to Divinity Students are awarded each year by the Foundation, the value varying each year based on demand and funds available.

 

All requests for bursaries must be received by the Foundation Secretary with all requisite documentation by October 31st each year. Only requests/applications submitted on the Foundations authorized forms will be considered. The Divinity Student applicant must be sponsored by a Preceptory.

 

Only residents of Canada pursuing their studies in a recognized Canadian institution of higher learning are eligible for consideration for bursaries.

 

All Divinity student bursary cheques are mailed by the Foundation to the sponsoring Preceptory for presentation to the student.

 

Widows, Orphans and Destitutes

The Foundation maintains the ideals and objectives of the former Knights Templar Widow’s Orphans and General Welfare Fund.

 

All requests for assistance must be submitted by the Sponsoring Preceptory on authorized Foundation Claim Form in Order for it to be considered. The Sponsoring Preceptory is best situated to validate claims and therefore, in a sense, acts as the ‘eyes and ears’ for the Foundation.

 

All awards are made on a 12 month basis. If there is a continuing need new claims must be investigated and submitted by the Sponsoring Preceptory on an annual basis for as long as the need exists.

 

Donations

Donations to the Foundation may be made through the Registrar of the Preceptory or directly to the Foundation Secretary.

 

The Foundation will gratefully accept all bequests as well as memorial donations in the name of deceased members, family members and relatives. Donations/bequest cards can be obtained from the Preceptory Registrar or the Foundation Secretary. All such gifts will be acknowledged in writing by the Foundation.

 

Communications

All formal communication with the Foundation should be through the Secretary of the Foundation. Even so, all Directors are readly availble to assist you with any issue within the purview of the Foundation.

 

On the Sovereign Great Priory of Canada web site under “Charitable Foundation” will be found basic information including application form for “Divinity Student Bursaries” and “Widows and Destitutes” which can be downloaded.

 

The Charles E. Wells Memorial Fund (CEWMF)

In August 2012 The Sovereign Great Priory of Canada ammended its Statutes and Regulations tp permit the transference of the “Charles E. Wells Memorial Fund” to the Knights Templar Charitable Foundation of Canada.

 

Under the umbrella of the Foundation the Charles E. Wells Memorial Fund is operated and administered as a stand alone entity through a sub-committee of the Foundation. The members of this sub-committee are appointed by the Supreme Grand Master of The Sovereign Great Priory of Canada.

 

The operation and management of the Charles E. Wells Memorial Fund is entirely governed by The Ststutes of The Sovereign Great Priory of Canada.

 

Contact Information

Secretary of the Foundation:

Kenneth Mielkie
504 D’Marrocco Court
Sarnia, Ontario
N7V 0A1
Phone: 1-519-384-8786
email: kenmielkie49@gmail.com

 

The 2021/2022 Board of Directors

George B. Fairbairn (Treasurer)

Jeremy Gomersall

David W. Hickman (President)

Kenneth B. Mielkie (Secretary)

Charles E. E. Rutt (CEWME Committee Chairman)

Ven. Dr. Gordon J. J. Simmons (Vice President and Spiritual Advisor)

Robert B. Taylor

 

This information sheet issued August 20, 2021
Revised August 30, 2021