Charitable Support
Masonic charitable support includes assistance to Freemasons and their families, grants to other charities and services available to the wider public. The arrangements differ between jurisdictions. In England and Wales, national Masonic charities operate alongside provincial and local fundraising; other Grand Lodges maintain their own programmes.[1][2][3]
Schools, annuities and care homes
English Masonic charities developed institutions for children's education and support in old age. Their histories include both residential provision and grants to people living elsewhere. Separate articles describe the schools, the institutions that funded them and their later changes:[4]
Present organisations
As of September 2026, the Masonic Charitable Foundation operates under the name The Freemasons' Charity. It is the national charity associated with the United Grand Lodge of England. Its programmes include financial assistance, health and wellbeing support, educational help for Masonic families, and grants to other charities.[1] RMBI Care Co. provides residential and nursing care and dementia support, including for people without a Masonic connection.[5]
In the United States, the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island describes charitable grants, student scholarships and a medical-equipment programme among its activities. This is one jurisdiction's provision, rather than a single system administered for all American Freemasons.[3]
A documented RNLI donation
The East Lancashire Masonic Charity records a £2,500 donation presented to representatives of the RNLI's Bury Ladies Guild on 7 March 2016. The Prince of Wales Lodge No. 1012 applied for local support to match a £1,000 Grand Charity offer; the Community Fund supplied £1,500. This provides a dated example of national and local funds contributing to the same project.[2]
Related articles
- Bartholomew Ruspini
- Royal Masonic Hospital
- Masonic Samaritan Fund
- Faith, Hope and Charity
- Freemasonry in the nineteenth century
- Masonic museums and libraries
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Freemasons' Charity, official website, support programmes and organisational statement. Accessed 30 September 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 East Lancashire Masonic Charity, Matched Funding Grant to the Bury Branch of the RNLI, 10 March 2016.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Grand Lodge of Rhode Island, Community Programs. Accessed 30 September 2026.
- ↑ Museum of Freemasonry, Royal Masonic Institution for Boys archive collection, GBR 1991 RMIB; Royal Masonic Institution for Girls archive collection, GBR 1991 RMIG; Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution archive collection, GBR 1991 RMBI.
- ↑ RMBI Care Co., About us. Accessed 30 September 2026.
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