The Market Research Benevolent Association (MRBA) is the market research industry's independent, registered charity. We provide financial assistance to people who work or who have worked in our industry. Over the years we have helped hundreds of people and their families- regardless of their level - experiencing financial hardship because of an illness, injury, bereavement, carer responsibility, or other personal problem.
The MRBA exists to help those who work or have worked in market research in any capacity, whether as researchers, interviewers, or office staff; or as employees or independents.
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 it 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 the MRBA is as generous as it 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 the Association’s existence. Click here for a copy of our applicant's Information Sheet.
If you or any one you know may need our help, please contact the Danielle Scott, the MRBA's Secretary/Treasurer by email on info@mrba.org.uk, or at the number below. You can be assured that the enquiry will be treated as strictly confidential:
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 under stress.
But 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. Or she may be able to help you complete the form over the telephone. Please contact Danielle Scott, our Secretary/Treasurer on 0845 652 0303 for a copy of the application form.
How long will it take?
All cases are reviewed by the MRBA Committee which meets every six weeks. Where situations are urgent, a decision can be made more quickly if necessary. Your Regional Manager will let you know whether and how we are able to assist you.
Since the MRBA was set up over 30 years ago, we have helped hundreds of people and their families in the industry get through some very difficult financial situations. 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 burdent, but honestly, I do not know what I would have done without the MRBA to turn to.'
From a gentleman suffering from a nervous breakdown who we have 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.'
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.'
To read more about how we helped 'Steve', click here for his story.
Now more than ever, the MRBA needs more Friends
As uncertainty in the economy continues, there are even more people in our industry experiencing financial difficulties Last year, the number of applicants we received had grown to twice that of the previous year, and three times that of earlier years.
To help more people, we need YOUR help
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.
MRBA launches its 'Become a Friend Campaign'
 To respond to this increased demand for our help, we are revitalising our current membership and have just launched the 'MRBA Friends Campaign' to increase awareness of the much needed support we provide, as well as help raise additional funds.
Please support us by becoming a 'Friend'
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'.
All Friends receive a copy of our bi-annual newsletter, Helping Hand 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.
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.
How to make a donation
So we can continue to help more people, 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 website.
Please be sure to visit the news page to see the Winter Edition of Helping Hand, the MRBA's newsletter.
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