Provincial Grand Lodge of Dorset
 
Charity – Our Approach
 
he three Great Principles by which we stand are Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. Freemasons are taught to practise charity and to care, not only for their own, but also for the community as a whole both by charitable giving and by voluntary efforts and work as individuals.
 
Charity, since its earliest days, has been the essence of Freemasonry but, unlike other fund raising organisations, most of the money raised comes from members’ own pockets. It is, however, entirely up to the individual member what he gives to Charity but it should always be without detriment to himself or his connections. Similarly, he may join as many lodges as his time and pocket can allow as long as it does not adversely affect his family, business or other responsibilities.

Freemasons are members of a worldwide family and, as with all good families, welfare is important and we strive to help our brethren and their families who are ill or in distressed circumstances. Financial assistance may be available from their own Lodge, Provincial Grand Lodge or one of the four main national Masonic Charities.
 
Private Lodges
All Lodges will have an alms collection at their meetings and many are increasingly using Gift Aid envelopes which enable tax on the contribution to be reclaimed, thus increasing the amount collected. Some Lodges also have a separate ‘book’ collection when members have the opportunity to give additional amounts according to their ability. In addition, many Lodges will have a raffle with the proceeds going to the Master’s chosen charities.

Private Lodges
 
On all occasions, the recipients of the alms and raffle must be announced beforehand and, in many instances, the moneys will go towards local non-Masonic charities - contrary to the widely held public view that ‘Freemasons only look after themselves’. Also each year members pay a subscription for membership of their Lodge which will include a payment to The Grand Charity.
 
Provincial Grand Lodge
The Provincial Grand Lodge of Dorset has its own charity vehicle known as Dorset Masonic Care which looks after masons and dependants of masons throughout the Province and which is funded mainly by donations from Dorset Lodges.
 

Provincial Grand Lodge

 
Affiliated to this, but entirely separate in terms of funding management and accounting, is the Provincial Grand Master’s Discretionary Fund (PGMDF) which offers support predominately to local non-Masonic charities and causes.

Masonic charity is exercised at every level. Individual Lodges make gifts and give aid to their own communities and every Province also gives large sums of money to regional causes. Nationally, our efforts are channelled through four main charity organisations, which are explained in detail within this section.
 
 
 
Stained glass window

More information
For more information about the charitable work that Freemasons do, please see the Masonic Charities, Non-Masonic Charities and Local Charities sections of this web site.

The Province of Dorset is currently in “Festival mode” and more information can be found about what this means to us on our 2014 Festival page.

 
A typical Dorset Masonic Temple

Join Us
If you are interested in joining us and want to learn more, read the Is it for me? and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) pages first. The First Steps page will guide you in making that important first step towards becoming a member.

 
Banner of Ferndown Lodge No. 7860

Dorset Lodges
For more information about Lodges in the Dorset area, see our list.

 
Charter Mark
 
 
We do not guarantee that websites accessed via links on this page are either Masonic in nature or have been approved or endorsed by the
United Grand Lodge of England. We specifically do not warrant that any other websites accessible from their pages are recognised by, or
have the approval of, the United Grand Lodge of England.
©Copyright 2009, 2010 Provincial Grand Lodge of Dorset.