One thing I didn’t know much about when I joined, and that often surprises people about Freemasonry, is just how much we do for others. Behind all the mystery, the conspiracy, the aprons, and the ceremonies, there’s a huge amount of charitable work quietly happening every single day. The purpose of this post is to show that side of Freemasonry, to explain how much we contribute to communities across the country and how that giving spirit has grown over the last 300 years.
It’s also written for those of us already within the Craft who may not realise just how far-reaching our collective generosity really is.
From many hands to one: the birth of the MCF
The Masonic Charitable Foundation, or MCF, is the modern face of Masonic charity. It was established in 2016, but its roots go much deeper. Before then, Freemasonry’s national charitable work was carried out by four major bodies:
- The Freemasons’ Grand Charity
- The Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys
- The Masonic Samaritan Fund
- The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution
I found in my research that each had its own area of focus, from supporting children and families to caring for older people and providing medical help. Bringing them together created a single streamlined organisation that could continue those traditions with modern efficiency and the same Masonic warmth.
Today, the MCF is one of the largest grant-making charities in the UK, distributing tens of millions of pounds every year to both Masonic and non-Masonic causes.
Charity since 1717
Freemasonry’s charitable heart didn’t begin with the MCF, it began with the founding of the first Grand Lodge in 1717. From its earliest years, Freemasonry has emphasised the importance of relief and charity.
By the late 1700s, Freemasons were already creating funds to help widows, orphans, and brethren in distress, which soon grew into dedicated charitable institutions:
- The Royal Masonic Institution for Girls in 1788,
- and the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys in 1798.
These schools provided education and opportunities to children who had lost their fathers, many of whom were Masons, long before free state education existed. That same compassion and sense of duty have guided Masonic charity ever since.
A principle taught from the foundation
Every Freemason, from the moment he joins, is reminded of his duty to care for those in need. From the earliest stages of membership, when we are figuratively compared to the foundation stone, at the beginning of the construction of ourselves as a new Mason, we are encouraged to help those who find themselves in times of hardship, to extend a hand to anyone “at their lowest ebb of poverty and distress.”
It’s a principle that goes beyond our Lodge rooms. It’s the reason so many local Lodges hold raffles, collections, and fundraising dinners and events, and why we come together nationally through the MCF to make a larger impact.
How much do Freemasons give?
Freemasonry in England and Wales currently donates around £50 to £52 million every year to charity.
Of that, around £25–30 million is distributed directly by the MCF through national grants and individual support for Freemasons and their families. The rest comes from local Lodges, Provincial initiatives, and the Relief Chest Scheme, which allows Lodges to manage and direct their charitable funds collectively.
Since its creation in 2016, the MCF alone has donated well over £100 million to good causes, and that figure continues to rise every year.
Where the money goes
The range of support is huge, covering everything from cutting-edge medical research to small community projects. A few of the better-known public donations include:
- £1 million to the Institute of Cancer Research, one of the largest gifts ever made by the old Grand Charity.
- £500,000 forUkrainian refugees in 2022, distributed through major relief organisations.
- £250,000 to Mind, helping expand mental-health services during the pandemic.
- £300,000 to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, supporting young people with disabilities.
- Ongoing nationwide grants to hospices and air ambulance services across the UK, totalling many millions collectively.
Beyond these large-scale donations, thousands of smaller community projects benefit from Masonic funding every single year, including youth groups, food banks, schools, veterans’ charities, care homes, and local hospitals.
It’s often said that if you look closely enough in any British town or city, you’ll find something quietly supported by the Freemasons.
The Festival system. Charity, the Masonic way
Every Province in England and Wales periodically runs what’s known as a Festival Appeal, usually lasting about five years. During this time, members and Lodges work together to raise funds for the MCF.
Those who make personal commitments to the Festival receive a Festival Jewel, worn proudly at meetings as a symbol of their support. When the Festival concludes, a celebration dinner is held and the final total announced, often running into the millions of pounds.
These events aren’t just about money; they’re about community. They bring together Masons from all over a Province, united by one purpose: to help others.
A modern charity with traditional values
The MCF represents Freemasonry at its best, blending centuries-old principles of kindness and relief with modern efficiency and transparency. It continues to care for Freemasons and their families in times of need while also supporting thousands of non-Masonic charities across the country.
What makes it unique is that every penny comes from Freemasons themselves. There’s no public fundraising or government support, just Freemasons giving quietly and consistently because they believe in making a difference.
For all the myths and mysteries that surround the Craft, our charitable work is one thing that’s always been completely open and genuine, and it’s disheartening to hear those who dislike Freemasonry spreading untruths about what we really stand for.
My reflection
For me, that simple idea, to care for others when they need it most, is one of the most meaningful parts of Freemasonry. It’s taught from the very start and carried through everything we do, from Lodge raffles to national campaigns.
I’ve still got a few years before I take the Chair as Worshipful Master, but when I do, I know that choosing the destination of the Lodge’s yearly charity pot to a cause close to my heart, will be one of the things I’m proudest of. As someone who hasn’t got much in the way of money or material things, I can confidently say I’m rich in my heart, for the love I receive from my family and my brothers. And I hope I can spread a little of that love.
The MCF, and all those who came before it, have shown that Freemasonry’s heart has always been in the right place, and that our commitment to charity isn’t just a tradition, it’s a way of life for every Freemason.
Sources
- Masonic Charitable Foundation (Official Website)
- History of the Masonic Charitable Foundation
- Relief Chest Scheme
- UGLE – Freemasonry’s charitable work
- Masonic Festivals – Provincial Appeals