The Benevolent Fund was set up in 1933 as the IHVE Benevolent Fund. Since then, it has assisted 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.
History
The creation of a Benevolent Fund was first suggested in 1933 by Mr R Comyn Ching, then Vice-President of the Institution of Heating and Ventilating Engineers (IHVE).
In October of that year, the IHVE Council approved the proposal, forming the first Benevolent Fund Committee. This committee was chaired by Mr. Ching and included members such as W. E. Fretwell, W. Nelson Haden, A. B. Potterton, and J. H. Bryant. Mr. Ching played a pivotal role in establishing the fund, drafting its original scheme and, along with Mr. Fretwell, making the initial donations to get it started.
For many years, the Fund operated under the umbrella of the IHVE registered Charity and its successors, the CIBS in 1976, and CIBSE in 1985. In 2005, its governance was modernised with the introduction of a new Declaration of Trust.
As the Institution developed its regional presence over the years, the Fund established almoners in each new Region. There are now 19 Regions worldwide, with 16 covering the UK and three overseas in the Republic of Ireland, Hong Kong and Australia / New Zealand.