Charitable Fundraising
Freemasons are ordinary people, of ordinary means. They are not better off than most others, indeed many are retired and on very modest incomes. Others are self-employed, and rightfully concerned about supporting their families on an uncertain income. Therefore, it is not productive to legislate as to how much any individual should give to charity in any year.
The rule is that we should give what we can, when we can.
How We Raise Money
Money collected for charity comes from our own pockets, and from our friends. We operate quietly among ourselves, and do not compete with public charity events and organisers. We contribute by any or all of the following means:
- Collections at our meetings.
- Raffles at dinners and social functions.
- Surplus from dinner dances and parties.
- Specially organised concerts and other events.
- Sponsored activities, walks, climbs etc.
- Covenants and Gift Aid (having a particular tax advantage).
The Masonic Charitable Festival System
In the midst of its normal activity, each Province, once every decade, takes it upon itself to raise extra monies under a Festival system for one of the Central Masonic Charities:- see Central Masonic Charities.
Our Festival in Suffolk concluded in 2009, which was in support of the Masonic Samaritan Fund.
Central Masonic Charities
Each member has a proportion of his annual subscription donated to the Grand Charity (see Central Masonic Charities), whilst the other Central Masonic Charities are supported by the Festival system.