The Masonic Charities
Added 12th March 2008
Freemasons collect money for charity from Lodge members or at Masonic events - we do not normally collect money from the general public.
All Lodge meetings include a Charity collection and most will also hold a raffle or similar event where all the profits are given to charity. As raffle prizes are usually donated, this can be 100% of the proceeds !
The four Masonic charities are briefly outlined below. Please click on the links for more information about each one.
the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys helps youngsters with their education. In one form or another it has existed for for over 200 years and is now the largest educational grant-making trust in the United Kingdom, assisting nearly 2000 children and young people every year.
the Masonic Samaritan Fund deals with medical assistance. It was established in 1990 to carry on the work of the Royal Masonic Hospital and in this short time has already allocated over £19 million in grants.
the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution assists older Freemasons and their dependents. It established its first home in 1850 and now runs 18 homes in all areas of England and Wales.
the Grand Charity helps poor and distressed Freemasons and their dependents as well as being the primary interface to non-Masonic charities. It dates its origins from the Committee of Charity set up in 1725. The Province of Hertfordshire is currently raising money for the Grand Charity and will be hosting the Grand Charity 2009 Festival.
The Province of 'Happy Hertfordshire' is, between now and June 2009, concentrating on raising money for the Grand Charity as part of the Festival system.