The Guild of Benevolence originated from the Fund set up in 1912 by the Institute of Marine Engineers and the Daily Chronicle newspaper to help the families of the Engineer Officers of RMS TITANIC, all of whom perished when the ship sank.

Today the Guild provides financial assistance to necessitous persons who are eligible as:

1. Past and present members of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST)

2. Marine Engineers who possess, or have possessed: Certificates of Competency or Certificates of Service issued by the relevant UK Governmental Department or Agency, or their equivalent.

3. Royal Naval Marine Engineer Officers, Warrant Officers and Petty Officers with equivalent qualifications.

4. Wives, husbands, widows, widowers, children and/or dependants of any of the above persons.

Methods:

For example:
a) Making regular grants to supplement a very low income.
b) Helping with shortfalls in reasonable nursing home fees.
c) Making single lump sum grants to assist in the purchase of costly items that are essential for the recipient's well being.
d) Assisting with the cost of essential home repairs.
e) Assisting with essential and reasonable funeral expenses in excess of any State contribution.
f) Assisting the education of children of Marine Engineers through funding to the Royal Merchant Navy School Foundation.
g) Assisting with costs of respite care.
h) Assisting with debt relief.