Masonic Charities
Charity is at the heart of Freemasonry The three Great Principles by which we stand are Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. Freemasons are taught to practise charity and to care, not only for their own, but also for the community as a whole, both by charitable giving, and by voluntary efforts and works as individuals. From its earliest days, Freemasonry has been concerned with the care of orphans, the sick and the aged.
This work continues today. In addition, large sums are given to national and local charities. Masonic charity is exercised at every level, individual Lodges make gifts and give aid to their own communities and every Province also gives large sums of money to regional causes. Nationally, our efforts are channelled through four main charity organisations, which in 2016 combined into one and will be known as the Masonic Charitable Foundation. They were individually known as:
The Grand Charity
The Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys
The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution
The New Masonic Samaritan Fund
The Grand Charity
The Grand Charity was formed as an independent charity in 1980 to take over the functions of the United Grand Lodge of England's Board of Benevolence, which itself had its origins in the Committee of Charity set up in 1725. Like its predecessor, the Grand Charity has a threefold function:
For further information please look at their website Charitable Works
The Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys
In 1982 the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls (formed in 1788) and the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys (formed in 1798) were combined to form the MasonicTrust for Girls and Boys to continue nearly two hundred years of care for the children of poor families. On 1 May 2003, the Trust became the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys. The prime object of the Trust is support for the children of distressed or deceased Freemasons, the aim being to give them the start in life they would have received had distress not befallen their families. The second objective is to provide help to children not connected to Masonic families and to support charities connected with children. For further information please look at their website Charitable Works
The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution
The RMBI provides a comprehensive range of services
designed to meet the needs of older Freemasons: Sheltered accommodation and
residential and nursing care in homes throughout England and Wales, as well
as practical and financial support for those who wish to remain in their own
homes. The Institution has a daunting challenge to provide these services
to an increasingly large number of older Freemasons and their dependants.
Regular practical help and advice, through the Care Advice Team, home improvement
loans and holidays are other important ingredients in the help the Institution
provides. For further information please look at their website on
Charitable Works
The New Masonic Samaritan Fund
Established in 1990 with the active support of United Grand Lodge of England, the New Masonic Samaritan Fund is an independent charity, which provides support for sick and infirm Freemasons, their families and dependants who are in need. The Fund gives relief to those applicants who cannot afford the full cost of private healthcare and who are unable to obtain their treatment on the UK's National Health Service without undue delay or hardship. For further information please look at their website at Charitable Works
This web-site created by W.Bro Dave Hodgson (Philanthropy 940)
Based on the template supplied by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Durham