The MRBA is the market research industry's independent, registered charity, providing financial assistance to anyone who works or has worked in the industry and their immediate families. If you or someone you know needs our help because of an illness, injury, bereavement or other personal issue, please scroll down to see how to get in touch.
The MRBA annual charity auction has now closed. Thanks to our many donors and bidders for their support. In total we raised over £5,000, so we can help more colleagues experiencing financial distress at the moment.
We would like to welcome AQR, ASE and IFF Research as new Corporate Patrons. Corporate support is essential for us to be able to continue our work. Together with Added Value, BIG Conference, Chime Insight and Engagement, DJS Research, Independent Consultants Group, Marketing Sciences, Research Now, BDRC Continental, Ipsos MORI, Network Research, Hall & Partners, Cobalt Sky, GfK, Centaur Media plc (Insight Show), Kantar Operations, Millward Brown, MRS, New Fieldwork Company, The Research Club, Research Network and TNS, we really appreciate their involvement.
To become a 'Corporate Patron/Friend' please click on the 'Become a Friend' section to the left. Or you can ring us on 0845 652 0303 for more information.
The MRBA exists to help anyone who works or has worked in market research from researchers and interviewers, to office staff and independents - regardless of their level. Membership in the MRS or MRBA is not required.
To apply for help, you will need to fill in an application form. Our form is quite detailed and may appear daunting, especially if you are not well or if you are under stress. Please don't worry. One of our Regional Managers will be delighted to support you throughout the application process either over the telephone or in person. Please contact Danielle Scott, our Secretary/Treasurer on 0845 652 0303 for a copy of the application form.
All cases are reviewed by the MRBA Committee which meets every six weeks. Where situations are urgent, a decision can be made more quickly. Your Regional Manager will let you know whether and how we are able to assist you.
In complete confidence, the MRBA gives financial help to people who are sick; who have been bereaved; who have had an accident, or who have suffered misfortune in any other way. Current or previous membership in the Market Research Society or the MRBA is not required.
The MRBA may give an outright grant or make a loan. And sometimes we can supplement an applicant's' income for a time when adverse circumstances reduce the applicant's ability to earn a living. Of course, every claim has to be investigated carefully, but we are as generous as we can afford to be.
Now you may know all this, but one of the biggest problems is that not everybody in the industry does -- and we can’t help in a case that we don’t know about.
Please make your colleagues and other friends across the industry aware of the MRBA and ensure that they let people in need know of our existence. Please go to the Information Sheets section for a copy of our applicant's Information Sheet.
If you or any one you know may need our help, please contact Danielle Scott, the MRBA's Secretary/Treasurer by email at info@mrba.org.uk, or ring 0845 652 03030. You can be assured any enquiry will be treated as strictly confidential:
With their permission, here are some examples of what the donations from MRBA supporters have meant to them:
From a lady we helped intermittently for several years:
'I can't thank you enough for everything you have done over the last few years. Please thank everybody for their kindness and understanding. I feel such a burden, but honestly, I do not know what I would have done without the MRBA to turn to.'
From a lady suffering from a serious illness while her mother was dying of cancer:
'I would like to thank you for all your kindness in helping me through this difficult time. I am so grateful to the MRBA.
From a gentleman suffering from a nervous breakdown who we helped by paying for the repairs to his leaking roof:
'I am so grateful to the MRBA for its assistance. This grant has impacted directly and substantially on my quality of life. Further, it has given me greater piece of mind about an issue that was making me extremely anxious.'
To read more about how we helped 'Steve', and 'Cassandra' click here .
 As uncertainty in the economy continues, there are even more people in our industry experiencing financial difficulties
Like all charities, we depend on the generous donations of people like you, so we can continue to help those in our industry who need it most.
Now more than ever, the MRBA needs more 'Friends'
To respond to this increased demand for our help, we have launched the 'MRBA Friends Campaign' to increase awareness of the much needed support we provide, as well as help raise additional funds.
You and/or your company can support us by becoming an MRBA Friend. Even if you have supported us in the past, maybe now you might consider renewing that 'friendship' knowing your financial assistance can really make a difference to someone who may have no where else to turn. The categories of Friend include:
Individual Friend - £25/year minimum
Lifetime Friend - one-time minimum payment of £250
Corporate Friend - £100/ year minimum
Corporate Patron - £500/year minimum or an equivalent 'gift in kind'.
To keep administration costs low, everyone is being asked to pay by direct debit. All Friends receive a copy of our bi-annual newsletter, MRBA Matters, which updates them on our activities and caseload. Individual and Lifetime Friends are invited to attend and vote at our Annual General Meetings, while Corporate Patrons receive an acknowledgement on our website and in other promotional materials.
 So we can continue to offer the current levels of support, the MRBA also needs the help of donors for our annual auction and volunteers to help out at events. If you would like to help, become a 'Friend' or send us a one-off donation, please contact Danielle Scott on 0845 652 0303, or visit our online donation site here.
Or to make a single, tax efficient donation online through Justgiving, please click this link to be taken to the Justgiving web site. If you would like to donate by text, also through Justgiving, text 70070 and type in MRBA00 £ with the amount you wish to donate. It's that easy.
Latest issue of MRBA Matters
The latest issue of MRBA Matters, our newsletter, published in December 2012, is available here The next issue will be available in May, 2013.
Please be sure to visit the news page to find out more about what we are doing.
To become a Friend please click here for an application form. Please be sure to sign the form in both places, so we can make use of your Gift Aid Declaration.
For more information on other ways that you can support the MRBA, please see our Information Sheet for Supporters by clicking here.
 | 
