On Tuesday, the Board of Directors of Minnesota Masonic Charities met for the semi-annual retreat and planning session. Good news: The stock market rebound will allow us to meet and even increase our grants over last year.Masonic Charities has several "Legacy Programs" that have been traditionally funded. Elder services (the Masonic Homes in Bloomington and Northridge), the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota, and our two scholarship programs (matching local lodge and chapter scholarship funds and the Signature and Legacy Scholarship programs) account for perhaps 3/4 of the grants made each year. In addition, MMC routinely matches funds for lodges and chapters to enhance their fundraising and community service projects. For more information on the programs, click on Minnesota Masonic Charities.
The major planning decision Tuesday was to continue and to promote and expand the matching program with local lodges and chapters to fund their local projects. Not only does this program contribute to improving local communities, it can be a source of news and promotion of the lodge in the lodge's communities.
We also voted to make a contribution to the Scottish Rite speech therapy clinics in Elk River and Duluth. This is a terrific program to help children overcome speech handicaps. More information at Rite Care Clinic.
