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 Masonic Girls Benefit Fund
CRA Registration Number 20001292
Contributes towards the cost of the maintenance, education, advancement, and benefit of daughters of deceased Freemasons.
Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim Representatives to this Fund
Worshipful Brothers Dennis Wheavil and Mark Henderson
The Masonic Boys Benefit Fund
CRA Registration Number 20001315
Contributes towards the cost of the maintenance, education, advancement, and benefit of sons of deceased Freemasons.
Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim Representatives to this Fund
Worshipful Brothers Brian Morrison, Graham Todd, and George Peden
The Masonic Medical Research Fund
Facilitates medical research in Ireland. In the past it has supported research into cochlear implants for autistic children and into renal failure and is presently assisting with research into Identifying Molecular Targets for Brain Repair in Multiple Sclerosis.
Teddies for Loving Care
CRA Registration Number 20102944
Teddies for Loving Care is a Charity for the benefit of distressed sick children, visiting Emergency Departments in Hospitals throughout the island of Ireland. The Charity is administered by The Freemasons of Ireland and supported by voluntary donations that are used to purchase teddy bears. These are distributed to hospitals to be given, at the discretion of the medical and nursing staff, to children in their care who are in distress and who the staff feel will benefit from something other than their pain to focus on and assist the staff in their important work.
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 Victoria Jubilee Masonic Benevolent Fund
CRA Registration Number 20001308
The Victoria Jubilee Masonic Benevolent Fund was established to offer Annuities to distressed Freemasons and widows of deceased Freemasons.
Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim Representatives to this Fund
Very Worshipful Brother Mal Ross and Worshipful Brothers Brian Hampton and Alistair McKay
The Masonic Welfare Fund
CRA Registration Number 20032098
Relieves cases of poverty, hardship, sickness and distress among Freemasons, their wives, widows, children, and other dependants who may not be eligible under the criteria of other schemes. Its objectives include furthering the education of such persons by awarding scholarships, maintenance allowances, outfits, clothing, tools etc. to assist entry into a trade, profession, or service, or to set up business.
Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim Representatives to this Fund
Worshipful Brothers Andrew Bingham and Ainsley Steele
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 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 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.”