Charity donations in the District of South Africa North
Donations of approx. R26 million have been made to Charities by the District of South Africa, North and its Lodges over the past 21 years.
Charity is one of the important facets of Freemasonry and whilst Freemasonry is not a benevolent society, it actively practices charity and our members are expected to care for those in Society who are in need and less fortunate that themselves, whether they be Freemasons or not.
Each of our 101 Lodges in the District raises money mainly from its own members for charitable purposes, in a variety of fundraising events. These charity monies are then either disbursed directly by the Lodge concerned to a Charity of their choice, or handed over to the District to be disbursed to a nominated Charity
Donations are directed to both Non-Masonic and Masonic Charities.
Masonic Charities
Charitable arrangements to help Freemasons and their families are mainly dealt with through the Transvaal Inter-Constitutional Masonic Charity (TIMC), a fund designed to give relief to aged and indigent Freemasons, their widows and families and to provide educational bursaries to children and grandchildren of Freemasons, where there is a demonstrable need.
The TIMC is supported by Lodges under the English, Scottish, Irish and Grand Lodge of South Africa Constitutions operating in the northern region of South Africa.
In 2015/2016, income from Lodge contributions under the four Constitutions amounted to R432,600 of which R192,000 or 44.40% was donated from Lodges in the District of South Africa, North, under the English Constitution.
In 2015/2016 the Fund disbursed a total of R1,148,724, consisting of:
| Total Benevolent Grants | R 1,027,480 | |
| and Educational Bursaries | R 121,244 |
The TIMC provides assistance for:
a) Aged and Indigent Freemasons and their dependants.
In 2015/2016, recipients received a total of R 1,027,480 and during 2015/2016 the value of Individual Grants was increased from R1450 to R1540 per month. From a total of 54 recipients in 2015, 27 are from applicants under the English Constitution.
b) Educational Bursaries for Children and Grandchildren of Freemasons.
Bursaries are made available mainly for study at any tertiary educational institution in South Africa, ranging from Universities, Business Colleges to Technical Institutions. Occasional requests are received for assistance with secondary level education. Bursaries for tertiary level institutions are renewable on an annual basis and cover either 3 or 4 years of study. Whilst the applicant must have an acceptable academic record, emphasis is placed on the fact that the family must be able to demonstrate that there is a financial hardship and need.
In 2015/2016 bursaries awarded were increased to a maximum of R 31,300 per student. Currently, 5 students are being supported to a total amount of R 121,244.
Non-Masonic Charities
There is an ever increasing call for support and assistance from a number of charitable organizations that have to raise funds to continue their operations. Over the past 21 years, the District has been actively engaged in assisting charity organizations that work for those less fortunate than us, in every sphere of Society. Each year, the District of South Africa, North has made a major donation to one or two Non-Masonic organizations, based on where there has been an identifiable need and where a recognisable difference can be made. A total of some R 21 million has been distributed over the past 21 years. A list of the major donations and the recipients is given below:
| Year | Recipient | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | The Nelson Mandela Children's Fund | 500,000 |
| 1996 | The Avril Elizabeth Home for the Mentally Handicapped | 350,000 |
| The Nelson Mandela Children's Fund | 250,000 | |
| 1997 | S A Cancer Research | 250,000 |
| 1998 | S A Guide Dogs for the Blind | 300,000 |
| 1999 | St.Vincent's School for the Deaf | 300,000 |
| 2000 | S A Red Cross Flood Disaster Relief Fund | 100,000 |
| Red Cross Children's Hospital | 200,000 | |
| Avril Elizabeth Home for the Mentally Handicapped | 100,000 | |
| 2002 | Childline | 1,000,000 |
| 2004 | Reach for a Dream | 1,000,000 |
| 2005 | Reach for Recovery - Breast Cancer | 1,000,000 |
| 2006 | CHOC - Childhood Cancer Foundation | 1,000,000 |
| 2007 | Headway - Gauteng - Victims of Head Injury | 1,000,000 |
| 2009 | Woodside Sanctuary | 1,250,000 |
| Forest Town School | 200,000 | |
| Childline | 1,000,000 | |
| 2011 | The Hamlet Foundation | 1,000,000 |
| 2012 | G.E.M. Homes | 800,000 |
| Masonic Haven - Pretoria | 200,000 | |
| 2013 | Mothwa Med-Step Clinic | 850,000 |
| 2014 | Oliver's House | 500,000 |
| Supreme Grand Chapter - Royal College of Surgeon's Appeal |
150,000 | |
| 2015 | Hospice Witwatersrand | 250,000 |
| The Gatewaya Society | 250,000 | |
| Woodlands Sanctuary | 250,000 | |
| 2016 | Headway | 500,000 |
| Amazing Grace | 100,000 | |
| Total | 14,600,000 |
In addition:
Minor donations to various Non-Masonic Charities totalling R 6 559 973 were made during the past 21 years. A full list of minor recipients is available on request.
The 2016 recipients of these minor donations are listed below. The total amount disbursed amounted to R408 505.
| Recipient | Recipient |
|---|---|
| Abraam Kriel Childcare | JHB Children's Home |
| Action | Little Eden |
| Amcare | Little Saint of Bethany |
| Boys & Girls Town | Maaita Primary School |
| Child Welfare | Meals on Wheels |
| Christway | NSRI |
| Cluny Farms | Pretoria Care for the Aged |
| COACH | Rand Aid |
| Compass | Rea Epilepsy Association |
| Cotlands | St Josephs, Georges, Nicholas |
| Cripple Care | Salvation Army |
| C Venter Fund | San Michele |
| Dinamus School | Shalom Centre |
| Elands School | SOS Children's Village |
| Embahlenhle - shoes | S P C A |
| God'sHaven | SA Cystic Fibrosis Ass |
| Golden Years | St Columbus Church |
| Gordon Foundation | St Giles |
| Gree Bengs | St Johns Ambulance |
| Helping A | Tape Aids for the Blind |
| Hero Burns Unit | Tarrentaal |
| Hospice and | Tzaneen Care Group |
| Imergroen OAH | Uitkompse Huis |
| Impilo Homes | United Cerebral Palsy Ass |
| Jacaranda Home | Wheel Chair |
| JAFTA | Women against Rape |
| JHB Care Foundation | Woodside Sanctuary |
| Total donations for Non-Masonic Charities for the past 21 years: | R 21,159,973 |
| Donations to Masonic Charities | |
| Total donations for the TIMC for past 21 years: | R 3,240,240 |
| Donations to the TIMC for 2015/2016 : | R 192,000 |
| Total to Lodges for distribution to Charities in their area for past 21 years: | R 748,392 |
| Donations to Lodges for local distribution 2015/2016 : | R 128,692 |
| Total donations to the Samaritan Fund to date: | R 824,188 |
| Amount donated to the Samaritan Fund during 2015/2016: | R 267,000 |
| Total donations for Masonic Charities over the past 21 years: | R 4,812,820 |