“At the very core of Freemasonry, intertwined with its symbols and rituals, lies a simple yet profound principle that has guided its members for centuries. Charity, in its purest form, is not merely an activity Masons undertake; it is a foundational pillar of the entire institution.
The tradition of Masonic charity dates back to the operative stonemasons of medieval Europe, who relied on mutual aid for survival and support during dangerous work. Early lodges provided assistance to members who were ill, injured, or widowed, often through a simple collection system known as a “box of charity.” As Freemasonry evolved into a speculative fraternity, this charitable impulse expanded to include society at large, maintaining the principle of helping those in need while fostering personal virtue and community welfare.
Masonic charities are a central expression of Freemasonry’s ideals, transforming philosophical principles into practical support for those in need. The charitable work extends from helping fellow Masons and their families to supporting the broader community, including local, national, and international initiatives. Freemasons on a national basis collectively contribute millions of dollars daily to a wide range of causes, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to philanthropy.” Citation from esotericfreemasons.com
Foundation Roots in New Mexico
On August 7, 1877, the six chartered Masonic Lodges in the territory of New Mexico met and formed the Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons in New Mexico. With the establishment of a Grand Lodge, Masonry in the territory began to flourish and expand. By the time New Mexico was admitted to the Union as the 47th state in 1912, the Grand Lodge had chartered 44 Lodges.
As Lodge numbers and membership grew, more communities benefitted from the charitable efforts of established Lodges. Initially, charitable fundraising and distribution functions were managed by the local community Lodges. To provide assistance to the newer Lodges throughout the State, a Charity, Relief and Education Committee was formed by the Grand Lodge of New Mexico.
Early charity efforts by the Grand Lodge and local Lodges included:
- Tuberculosis treatment, especially for soldiers at Fort Bayard and Fort Stanton
- Relief for individuals
- VA hospital visitation services
- National and local natural disaster relief
- Scholarships
- Student loans
- Youth group support
By the mid-1900s, the Committee, working with the Lodges, realized that communities without Masonic Lodges might also benefit from charitable efforts. At the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of New Mexico, the Committee was charged with creating a foundation to address that need. On November 9, 1976, the Masonic Charity Foundation of New Mexico was incorporated as a non-profit charity with the State of New Mexico and subsequently registered as a 501(c)(3) organization with the Internal Revenue Service.
Through the efforts of local Lodges and other Masonic organizations, a fund-raising program was structured which established a financial base that provides funding for the Foundation. The Foundation is wholly supported through private and corporate donations, estate bequests, trusts, and investments. The Foundation does not receive government grants. As a result, the Foundation is able to receive a variety of investment assets as donations. Donations are maintained as received or placed in long-term investments to generate revenue. Investment income from this base and donations from members and the public continue to support the Foundation’s work.
While the local Lodges continued their work within their own communities, the new Foundation began working with other organizations to address charitable issues on a broader statewide basis. Generally, funding was provided to the cooperating agencies or organizations until they were able to provide their own funding or establish permanent funding relationships. The first such effort was working with medical services in Albuquerque to provide temporary housing for families who resided outside of the city with a family member receiving long-term cancer treatment. This continued until national organizations were able to construct and provide housing facilities near the medical centers. Such efforts were extended to other entities throughout New Mexico in the following years.
The 2012 Review & Modern Structure
In 2011, the Grand Lodge of New Mexico reviewed the function and efforts of the Charity Foundation to ensure they were meeting the expectations of its charitable work. At its Annual Communication in 2012, the Foundation’s work was highlighted in the following statement:
“The Masonic Charity Foundation of New Mexico was established in the knowledge that charity lies at the foundation of Freemasonry. Our purpose is to put our beliefs into action by providing relief to the distressed, supporting youth and education programs, and aiding local charitable efforts of Lodges and other affiliated Masonic organizations; and by responsibly managing the funds donated to us and disbursing them in such a manner as to do the most good for the most recipients.”
The review identified three distinct areas of focus: continued support for individuals and communities recovering from natural disasters; additional funding support for local Lodges to meet identified needs within their own communities and expand efforts to neighboring communities; and initial financial assistance to help establish new programs that benefit the well-being of communities or organizations.
With this emphasis, the Foundation restructured its funding mechanism to provide matching funds (dollar for dollar) to the Lodges for work in their communities. For areas with specific identified needs, such as a natural disaster or the establishment of a program, the Foundation may provide a non-matched lump sum donation. While the matching fund program was initially structured to support Lodges’ charitable efforts, it was soon expanded to include other Masonic affiliated groups, increasing the Foundation’s charitable outreach into additional communities and giving the Foundation more visibility into individuals, organizations, and community programs in need of assistance.
Funds Distributed Since 2012
| MCF and Matching Fund Partners (Lodge funds + MCF matching) | $2,464,048 |
| MCF Unmatched Funds | $113,499 |
| Grand Total (2012–2025) | $2,577,547 |