2024 Charities Brochure

SCOTTISH RITE CHARITIES

OUR SERVICE TO HUMANITY

Our Service to Humanity

The Scottish Rite strives to leave an indelible mark on humanitya mark defined by compassion in action. Through the work of our Scottish Rite Benevolent Foundation, and our five major Scottish Rite Charities, our fraternity is living out our core value of Service to Humanity. This value serves as a promise to bring positive change to individuals, communities, and the world at large. Your gift breathes life into this commitment.

• For the child struggling with the devastating effects of dyslexia, your gift means hope for the future, helping them unlock their true potential and discover the joy of learning.

• For the student facing the soaring costs of college, your gift helps open doors for higher education.

• For the seeker exploring the principles of Freemasonry, your gift works to preserve a vast collection of Masonic and American history and knowledge.

• For the Masonic family facing an unexpected health crisis, your gift offers critical aid in times of need.

• And for the member looking for more light along his journey, your gift provides opportunities to delve deeper into the lessons of our degrees.

Every gift, big or small, carries the potential to bring comfort, relief, and hope to someone in need. As we embark on this journey of service together, your gift becomes the vital force propelling our charitable initiatives to new heights.

Thank you for your support.

The Charities Team

We will strive to be a fraternity that fulfills our Masonic obligation to care for our members. OUR VISION

SCOTTISH RITE

Benevolent F oundation

Changing Lives Together

The Scottish Rite Benevolent Foundation provides us with a remarkable platform to extend our help and support to those in need within our communities. Serving as the epicenter of the Scottish Rite, NMJ’s charitable efforts, the Benevolent Foundation provides sustained and generous support to our five Scottish Rite Charities: the Children’s Dyslexia Centers, the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library, the Leon M. Abbott Scholarship Fund, the Membership Education Fund, and the Grand Almoner’s Fund.

Whether it’s caring for our members, opening doors to a college education, bringing the history of our fraternity to life, or improving basic skills for thousands of schoolchildren, the work of our Scottish Rite Charities is changing the lives of

“We can never repay the amazing gift you have given us. The Scottish Rite exemplifies all that is good and true in this great fraternity.”

BRIDEGROOM FAMILY ALMONER'S FUND RECIPIENT

Ways to Give

Donors fuel our work at Scottish Rite Charities. There are many reasons to philanthropically support our work, and just as many ways to give:

Check: Make check payable to the charity of your choice and mail it to the address listed below.

Credit Card/EFT: Give online at DonateRite.org.

Recurring Gifts: Split your contribution into a monthly or quarterly credit card or EFT charge to make a "stretch" gift.

Matching Gifts: Double or triple your donation through a matching gift program. Check with your employer to see if they offer this program.

Appreciated Securities: Donate stock at its full market value with no capital gains tax. Please contact us to make your stock gift.

Planned Giving: Giving while living through a planned gift ensures the Charities' long-term strength for future priorities.

Tribute Gifts: Honor a life or meaningful milestone with your contribution. Your honoree will be notified of your kind gesture.

Call or email our staff to make a gift, a pledge, or to discuss your giving options:

Phone: 781-465-3346

Donations can be mailed to:

Scottish Rite Charities PO Box 519

Lexington, MA 02420

Email: Charities@srnmj.org

Fulfilling Our Masonic Obligation

The Grand Almoner’s Fund is central to the Scottish Rite’s commitment to care for our Brothers, providing relief to Masons and their families in some of their darkest moments. Whether it be a natural disaster or a personal tragedy, the Fund exists to make certain a helping hand is there, offering assistance and support to

those in need. Your contribution to the Grand Almoner's Fund can improve the lives of our Masonic community. For Brothers young and old, for the sick, grieving, or those facing a catastrophe they never saw coming, the Grand Almoner’s Fund is there to help our own when they need it most. This is only possible because of your support.

Will you join us in fulfilling our Masonic obligation to care for our members?

“Freemasonry is Hope.”

WILLIAM ALMONER'S FUND RECIPIENT

Ways to Contribute

COMMANDER'S CIRCLE

The Commander’s Circle is a special circle of donors who have chosen to honor their commitment to the principles of our fraternity through their generous support of the Grand Almoner’s Fund. Giving levels range from $5,000 to $100,000+.

ScottishRiteNMJ.org/Charities/Commanders-Circle

WHITE FLOWER SOCIETY

The White Flower Society is dedicated exclusively to helping Masonic widows in need and was formed to strengthen the bonds of support among the women who come together through Freemasonry. Membership in the White Flower Society reflects a $5,000 level of giving.

WhiteFlowerSociety.org

INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS

Your individual gift to the Grand Almoner's Fund has the power to ease suffering and restore hope to Brothers and their families facing incredible hardships. Every dollar donated goes directly to providing financial assistance to those in need, with none of it used for overhead costs.

ScottishRiteNMJ.org/Almoners

Thirty Years of Helping Children

For more than three decades, the Children’s Dyslexia Centers have been equipping students with the skills and confidence they need to approach learning with eagerness and without fear. Our more than 40 Dyslexia Centers in 13 states have provided intervention at reduced or no charge to more than 16,000 children with dyslexia from early elementary through high school.

Today, the program is nationally recognized for its efforts to help children and their families overcome the painful obstacles of dyslexia. Our proven therapeutic techniques have a documented success rate, generally resulting in significant gain in reading level. In addition, an accredited training program for educators has certified more than 4,000 tutors, further expanding the scope of this work.

“The CDC truly saved my child. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for restoring his confidence and for everything you have done.”

ALLISON CDC PARENT

Ways to Contribute

In addition to general donations to our Children’s Dyslexia Centers, we offer several ways to support our important work.

BUILDERS COUNCIL

The Builders Council is made up of supporters who have made a significant financial commitment of $10,000 or more to any of our Children’s Dyslexia Centers, or to the organization as a whole.

Join the cause: ChildrensDyslexiaCenters.org/Builders-Council

PLANNED GIFTS

Making a planned gift to benefit the Children’s Dyslexia Centers enables you to create a lasting legacy with the potential to impact generations to come.

Start your legacy: ChildrensDyslexiaCenters.org/Planned-Giving

SPONSOR A CHILD

With a gift of $5,000, you can Sponsor a Child at one of our tutoring locations and change a young life forever! Along with your sponsorship gift, you’ll receive the name of the student you’re sponsoring and an update on the child’s progress.

Sponsor a Child Today: ChildrensDyslexiaCenters.org/Sponsor-A-Child

The Membership Education Fund provides Brothers with the tools needed to continue building a better tomorrow for Scottish Rite.

The Scottish Rite Pathfinder Program helps Masons uncover the road that best serves their needs and interests. A multitude of activities leads Brothers to discover their most fulfilling member experience. Pathfinder is available to all Scottish Rite Masons who have witnessed the 32°.

Thursday Night at the Rite (TNR), offered seasonally, presents secure, online video degrees members can watch from home. Featuring Valleys from across the NMJ, this popular program sees thousands of engaged Brothers tuning in to each broadcast.

Our premier educational offering, the Hauts Grades Academy curriculum consists of three levels of reflection and research on our degrees and ritual. Upon graduating from the program, members earn the honor of becoming a Hauts Grades Academic, and may use the letters HGA after their name.

ScottishRiteNMJ.org/Membership-Education-Fund

More Knowledge. More Light.

The Scottish Rite is committed to fostering the value of education. One of Freemasonry’s fundamental beliefs is the importance of an educated mind. Since the Leon M. Abbott Scholarship Fund was initiated in 1951, over $10 million has been awarded to students looking to further their education.

Each year, hundreds of scholarships are awarded to deserving students attending accredited colleges, universities, and specialty schools.

ScottishRiteNMJ.org/Abbott

“The Abbott Scholarship Fund is giving me the opportunity to have the future I have always wanted.”

JOSH ABBOTT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

Collections Museum History

Founded in 1975, the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library in Lexington, Massachusetts

The Museum holds more than 17,000 objects, forming one of the largest collections of American fraternal and Masonic material in the country. The Museum continues to collect objects, books, and documents, striving to be the historical society for American Freemasonry by collecting, preserving, interpreting and celebrating the history of fraternalism.

Pocket Watch with Masonic Symbols, Model - ca. 1920

RIGHT: Handmade Sculpture of Active Member

Van Gorden-Williams Library & Archives

With more than 60,000 books and over 2,000 cubic feet of archival materials, the Van Gorden-Williams Library & Archives is one of the premier repositories in the United States for the study of Freemasonry and fraternalism. It also serves as the institutional archives of the Museum and the Supreme Council, and its holdings include founding documents of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.

Online Collections & Video Gallery

Become a member today, and start enjoying all the Museum has to offer while supporting this important collection of Masonic history.

Every dollar received through membership directly supports the Museum’s operating expenses and helps us offer free admission year round. Museum membership fees are tax-deductible.

To learn more about our membership levels and to stay up to date on new exhibits, collections, and events, visit SRMML.org.

TOP RIGHT: Medal - Scottish Rite, NMJ 33° Jewel for Benjamin Dean.

LEFT: 1945 Masonic Member Card

Planned Giving

Named for one of the Scottish Rite’s greatest builders, the George A. Newbury Cornerstone Society recognizes those who have made a lasting investment in the life-changing efforts of Scottish Rite Charities. Membership in the Cornerstone Society ensures that your commitment is recognized and celebrated during your lifetime and requires a legacy gift through one or more of the following planned giving vehicles:

BEQUESTS

A charitable bequest is the easiest way to make a planned gift. While planning your will, living trust or other estate plan, simply name Scottish Rite Charities as a beneficiary of your estate.

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIES

A charitable gift annuity can pay you and/or another beneficiary annual income for life while also offering immediate tax benefits. Income depends on certain factors, including age, amount funded, and terms of the annuity. With the passing of the last beneficiary, the remaining principle is transferred to the Scottish Rite Charity of your choice.

QUALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION

For anyone 70 1/2 and older, a direct distribution from your traditional or Roth IRA to Scottish Rite Charities is an attractive option to support our charitable efforts.

RETIREMENT ACCOUNT/LIFE INSURANCE BENEFICIARY

In addition to being named in a standard bequest, Scottish Rite Charities can be selected as a full or partial beneficiary of your life insurance policy or retirement account, including an IRA, 401(k), 403(b), or other qualified plan.

Please consult with your financial advisor to confirm all applicable tax benefits and savings.

Learn more: ScottishRiteNMJ.org/Cornerstone-Society

PICTURED OPPOSITE: Alex, Almoner's Fund Recipient