Masonic Philanthropies

While every Masonic related organization is proud of their charities, this section has been limited to the charities of the four major Masonic organizations, the Symbolic Lodge, York Rite, Scottish Rite and Shrine.

Individual Blues Lodges adopt a wide variety of charitable contributions at the community level. The Grand Lodge of Iowa awards 60 or more $2,000 scholarships to graduating high seniors every year. They also fund one of the largest private libraries in the world, located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.Low interest college loans are also available through the Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge of Nebraska funds a marching band camp for high school students and a very modern Child Identification Program in many communities each year.

The York Rite of Freemasonry funds research grants for central auditory problems, cardiovascular and arteriolosclerosis, and diseases of the eye. Additionally the Knights Templar offer financial assistance to qualified applicants for surgery of the eye. The Knights Templar also offer low interest college loans.

The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry has established over 200 clinics in the U.S., that offer help to children with learning disorder. Called RiteCare, the clinics treat over 200,000 children each year. In Iowa, the Scottish Rite Masonic Foundation also funds research into the cause and cure of Alzheimer’s.

The Shrine of North America supports twenty-two Children’s Hospitals for Orthopedics, burns and spinal cord injuries. This is, without a doubt, the best know Masonic philanthropy and it accounts almost $2 million dollars every day!

All Masonic philanthropies are available to anyone, regardless of Masonic affiliation, gender, national origin, race, color or creed. They are awarded based on need!

You too, can be a part of this wonderful Family. Membership applications are available here.