Charity and the Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim
Benevolence has always been the cornerstone of Freemasonry. Goodwill to all and a desire to help those less fortunate are fundamental principles of the Masonic Fraternity and therefore, charitable giving is a major part of membership of the Freemasons.
Freemasons are taught to practice charity and to care not only for their own members, but for the community also by both charitable giving and voluntary effort.
The main benefactors of the charitable institutions established by the Fraternity are various Welfare, Widows and Children Funds. Also, Teddies for Loving Care and Medical Research amongst others. By supporting many charities in wider society Freemasons of Ireland continue to put benevolence and kindness to others at the forefront of their membership.
Each Grand Master in his tenure nominates non-masonic charities which the Brethren will raise funds for, this is called the ‘Grand Masters Festival’ and usually lasts for one year. In past years a number of local charities have benefitted greatly, receiving funds from exciting fundraising activities which our members have enjoyed putting their heart and soul into organising.
In 2021, despite the pandemic, the PGLA continues to support The Grand Masters Festival known as Vision 2020. The chosen Charities for Vision 2020 are Medicine Sans Frontières, RNLI and Simon Community North and South.
Many fundraising events were postponed or cancelled and as such the Freemasons of Antrim are now committed to rolling the project out beyond its original completion date to ensure that these worthy charities get the funds they so desperately rely on for survival. Click here to find out more about Vision 2020
Lodges across the province also regularly give to their own charitable causes within their local communities. Freemasons always have plenty of opportunities to give and to serve the people of their communities. Click here to see some of our members in action in their local communities
The Freemasons of Ireland Girls & Boys Fund
Incorporating: The Masonic Girls Benefit Fund, The Masonic Boys Benefit Fund, TLC (Teddies for Loving Care) and The Irish Freemasons Young Musician of the Year
Registered with the Charities Regulator in the Republic of Ireland No. 20001315
The principal objects of the charity are to relieve poverty, advance education and relieve those in need by reason of youth or ill-health by:
- Providing for the maintenance, education, advancement and benefit (including medical care) of sons and daughters (including adopted sons and daughters) of Freemasons, former Freemasons and deceased Freemasons of the Order who are in necessitous circumstances;
- Providing equipment, facilities and amenities to patients, particularly children, who are attending or admitted to accident and emergency units at hospitals, or associated emergency services;
- Encouraging young people in Ireland to engage with education in all of its forms, including through music; and
- Providing support to other charitable organisations with similar principal objects to the charity.
The Belfast Masonic Widows Fund
Charity Registration Number 102661
The purpose of the Trust is to afford assistance to needy, Freemasons or their families or the dependants of deceased Freemasons by grants of money or such other means as may be best suited to the needs of the applicants.
The Belfast Masonic Charity Fund
Charity Registration Number 101945
The purpose of the Trust is to afford assistance to needy, Freemasons or their families or the dependants of deceased Freemasons by grants of money or such other means as may be best suited to the needs of the applicants
The Freemasons of Ireland Victoria Jubilee & Welfare Fund
Incorporating: The Victoria Jubilee Masonic Benevolent Fund, The Masonic Welfare Fund, The Elena Donoughmore Memorial Masonic Charity Fund and The Freemasons of Ireland Medical Research Fund.
Registered with the Charities Regulator in the Republic of Ireland No. 20032098
The principal objectives of the Charity are to relieve poverty or economic hardship and to advance education by:
- providing assistance to (a) Freemasons, in Ireland and overseas, who are in need by reason of poverty, hardship, sickness or distress; (b) their spouses, civil partners, cohabitants, widows and widowers; (c) the sons and daughters of the persons at categories (a) and (b); and (d) other necessitous persons.
- Carrying out or funding medical research in respect of any human disease or disability in order to promote greater understanding of, or uncover potential treatments for, such disease or disability.
- Providing support to other charitable organisations with similar charitable objects.
Masonic Havens Limited
CRA Registration Number 20010416
Care of the Elderly by the provision of residences and/or appropriate financial and other assistance, so that their quality of life may be enhanced, their independence fostered, and their dignity preserved.
The Masonic Orphans’ Welfare Committee
Charity Registration Number awaiting registration
The Objects of the Masonic Orphans' Welfare Committee are “the prevention & relief of poverty by means of advice, encouragement, promotion and deserving financial assistance to benefit the welfare of children (natural or adopted), orphans (natural or adopted), or grandchildren (natural or adopted) of Freemasons, being eligible up to the age of 25 years.”