A cornerstone of the Mark
Supporting charity since 1856
Acting locally and nationally
Relief, or 'charitable giving' has always been a cornerstone of Mark Masonry. Since it was established in 1856 the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons has supported charities on a local and national basis. When circumstances demand action on an international stage the charitable reach of their Mark Benevolent Fund goes even further afield.
Charitable fund raising is a key aspect of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Masons of Northampton, Huntingdon and Bedford since its constitution in 2021. Those efforts are coordinated within the Province by the Provincial Charity Committee.
Local charity
Mark Province of Northampton, Huntingdon and Bedford
The Mark Master Masons within the Province of Northampton, Huntingdon and Bedford donate funds for local and national charities and organisations through our own charitable trust, established in 2021.
Funds raised at events, individual donations and endowments by Mark Master Masons of the Province are received and managed by the Provincial Charity Committee. The charity provides charitable support to a diverse range of worthy causes, including any brother in extreme need.
It is important to remember that, at all times, brethren should give to the Provincial Charity only what they can afford. The personal amount donated remains confidential and giving of your time and skills to help organise or take part in fund raising events is as important as a coin or two donated.
national charity
The Mark Benevolent Fund
The Mark Benevolent Fund is a registered charity (no. 207610) which came into existence in 1868 at the suggestion of the Reverend Canon George Raymond Portal, Grand Master of the Mark. His views on charity were more radical and progressive than the general thinking of his time.
He felt that for charity to be effective it had to be disbursed swiftly, without undue bureaucratic formalities and that it was wrong for there to be delay in providing assistance to those in need. Indeed his own Latin tag ‘Bis dat qui cito dat’ - which means ‘he gives twice who gives promptly’ - became the principal guideline of the Mark Benevolent Fund and remains so to this day.
The Fund has disbursed many millions in grants to individual petitioners and larger sums in major grants to charities within the wider community, including The RNLI, Addenbrooke’s Hospital and Trust Hope for Tomorrow.
The income of the Mark Benevolent Fund comes principally from individual Brethren and Lodge contributions.
