The British Council Benevolent Fund (known affectionately as the Ben Fund) is a charity that provides emergency financial relief in times of hardship to British Council staff past and present and their loved ones. Support is usually in the form of a grant. In some circumstances an interest-free loan is more appropriate. The Benevolent Fund was established in 1947 to grant ‘relief or assistance to the past and present staff of the British Council or their families or dependants in necessitous circumstances’ and it continues to offer support where needed today.