It is often said that Freemasons look after themselves, to a certain extent that is true but it's certainly not exclusively so.

 

In reality, millions of pounds are donated

to non masonic charities and deserving

causes every year. The Freemasons are

often the first to send financial aid to

national and international disasters such

as the Twin Towers of 2001 and the Tsunami of 2004.

 

Masonic charity is exercised at every level, individual Lodges make gifts and give aid to worthy causes within their own communities, and every Province does it on a larger and wider scale over a greater area. Whilst nationally our efforts are chanelled by United Grand Lodge through four main charity organisations:

 

The Grand Charity is managed by the United Grand Lodge of England, it has a threefold function .........

• Relieving distressed Freemasons and their dependents

• Making grants to other Masonic charities.

• Making grants to non Masonic causes

 

Since 1981 alone, over £72m has been granted to thousands of individuals and non Masonic causes.

 

The Royal Masonic Trust for Boys & Girls

The principle object of the trust is to provide for the children of deceased or distressed Freemasons, but they also provide grants to children who are not of a Masonic background.

 

The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution

The RMBI provides a comprehensive range of services to meet the needs of older Freemasons e.g. Sheltered accommodation, residential and nursing care in the home.

 

The Masonic Samaritan Fund

......... provides support for sick and infirm Freemasons, their families and dependents who are in need, particularly those who are unable to obtain treatment on the UK's National Health Service without undue delay or hardship.

 

The four main charities e.g. The Grand Charity, The Royal Masonic Trust for Boys and Girls, The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution and The Masonic Samaritan Fund came under one in 2015, that is .................

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Particular to Bargoed and Caerphilly

 

Freemasonry in the Community (FMIC) .......

......... is a committee of Freemasons drawn from the Lodges of Caerphilly and Bargoed who organise events locally and raise funds in addition to those raised by the individual Lodges. Every year we have a one off event and invite local charities to receive donations from the funds raised.

 

The Lodge Charity Steward

Every Lodge appoints a Charity Steward who's role it is to co-ordinate the Lodge's charity giving and to support the Lodge and it's members on the most appropriate ways of giving and to advise them on the complexities of the various Masonic charities.

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Princes Lodge .................

Donates an average in excess of £1000.00 each year to local and non masonic causes. The Lodge supports all the charities mentioned, we support other lodges fund raising by attending their events and events organised by the FMIC committee, we have to date donated in excess £16000.00 to the South Wales Provinces 2021 Festival 

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