Charity and Principles

 

Charity

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. Every Freemason, no matter what rank or office he holds, is encouraged to be aware of the support that is available from the Masonic Charity. They offer vital assistance to Freemasons, their wives, partners, widows and dependants.

Almost all of the money employed by the charity is provided by Freemasons and their families. The main sources of funds are derived from a Fundraising “Festival” held each year by Provincial Grand Lodges in England and Wales. As you may be aware, The West Kent Province Festival was in 2015 and was for the Masonic Samaritan Fund and raised over three million pounds.

Prior to 2016 the Freemasons Charities were as listed below but in that year all the separate Charities were amalgamated under one umbrella organisation called the Masonic Charitable Foundation. In the past year some 4603 families were helped. £15,905,132 has been awarded to Masonic families and £4,853,036 awarded to the wider community, all from the Foundation


There are several Masonic Charities which are supported by Freemasons' Lodges:

The Masonic Samaritan Fund

The Masonic Samaritan Fund provided financial help in support of medical and dental care and treatment. Respite care support was also available to those who have an identified health or respite care need and faced with a long wait for treatment or care, cannot afford their own private treatment or care without incurring financial hardship.

The Freemasons' Grand Charity

The Grand Charity was a grant-making charity which supports Masonic individuals experiencing financial distress and requiring mobility equipment. It also provided grants to national charities working in the areas of medical research, vulnerable people and youth opportunities. This included an annual programme of funding for adults and children's hospice services. The Charity also supported emergency relief efforts following disasters in the UK and overseas.

The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution (RMBI)

The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution provided residential, nursing and dementia care for older Freemasons and their dependants as well as practical support for those who wished to remain in their own homes. 

The Royal Masonic Trust for Girls & Boys

The Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys was a charity funded by Freemasons which aimed to relieve poverty and advance education for children and young people. In addition to our main grant-making work, they also supported young people with exceptional talents and those who needed financial assistance in order to embrace life-changing opportunities. They awarded grants to both national and local children's charities and provided in-kind support to their separate but subsidiary charity Lifelites.


Three Great Principles

For many years Freemasons have followed three great principles:

Brotherly Love

Every true Freemason will show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and behave with kindness and understanding to his fellow creatures.

Relief

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.

Truth

Freemasons strive for truth, requiring high moral standards and aiming to achieve them in their own lives. Freemasons believe that these principles represent a way of achieving higher standards in life.

 




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