Charities

Kindness has always been a core principle of Freemasonry. Members give their time and money to help others, whether locally, nationally or globally to help make a difference. It may be to help realise a dream for someone, caring for older Freemasons, volunteering for charitable and youth organisations or on local community projects, making donations to other UK charities or responding to an international disaster appeal.

Unlike some charities, we never ask the general public for money. All the money raised comes from our members, their families and friends. Contrary to popular belief, we do not just support masonic charities. We are also the second largest contributor to charities after the national lottery.

Freemasons are proud of their ancient traditions, but even more so of our achievements and the many thousands of people that we have helped in the greater community.

Lodge Charities

The charities below are a selection of those chosen by Lodge members, some for specific periods, others on a recurring basis.

As well as a Charity Steward each Lodge has an Almoner. He is responsible for keeping in contact with the family and dependents of Lodge members who become sick or following bereavement.

Masonic Charities

Donations are collected, reconciled and disbursed by our Charity Steward.

Grants are made to these charities through the Provincial and Grand Lodges. They provide funds to support fellow Freemasons their families and dependants, as well as donations from central funds to both charitable organisations and disaster relief funds at home or overseas.

Masonic Charitable Foundation

(Registered Charity No. 1164703)

Funded entirely through the generosity of Freemasons and their families, the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) is one of the largest grant-making charities in the country. We build better lives by enabling opportunity, advancing healthcare and education and promoting independence.

Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons Charity

(Registered Charity No. 1153575)

Investing in a brighter future. We do this by helping the vulnerable and disadvantaged in our local communities by providing funding opportunities. In so doing it helps these local charities to continue their excellent work and make a difference to people’s lives.

Teddies for Loving Care

(Registered Charity No. 1087765)

Teddies for Loving Care provides cuddly bears to Accident and Emergency units for medical staff to give, at their discretion, to young children. The bears are often used by staff to calm children down, reward them for being brave and in some cases demonstrate procedures. All children who receive a bear get to take it home.

The Masonic Samaritans Fund

(Registered Charity No. 1130424)

Providing residential nursing and dementia care for older freemasons and their dependants, as well as practical support for those who wish to remain in their homes.

The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution

(Registered Charity No. 207360)

Founded in 1842 as the “Asylum for Worthy Aged and Decayed Freemasons”, seeks to offer high quality care, support and assistance to older Freemasons and their dependants. It is committed to ensuring that the individuals’ right to dignity, respect, choice and control over their own ives is upheld and maintained.

The Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys

(Registered Charity No. 285836)

Providing support that relieves poverty and addresses the educational needs of Freemasons’ children and (when funds permit) assisting any children, as their fathers would have done, had they been able to do so.