Masonic Fact Sheet

Primary Mission

Freemasonry is the oldest and the largest fraternal order, with over 5 million members worldwide. Their members are men from all walks of life who together, support the Fraternityís aims of Brotherhood, Relief and Truth. Membership is open to men of any race or religion who believe in a Supreme Being and are of good repute.

Minnesota Freemasons

2003 will be the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota. There are currently 171 lodges statewide, with approximately 20,000 members.

Organization

Minnesota Masons are governed by the Grand Lodge of Minnesota. Specifically, they are led by the Grand Master and a Corporate Board.  Funding is provided through a $24 annual assessment on each Minnesota lodge member.

Charitable Programs

Charity is one of the primary focuses of Masonic activity. The following programs are supported by the Minnesota Masons:

• Minnesota Masonic Foundation - created in 1970 to provide a general fund for Masonic charity. Minnesota's youth have remained a focus of the foundation. The Foundation provides over $200,000 in scholarships to graduating Minnesota high school seniors annually.
• Minnesota Masonry has expanded its charity through the creation of the Minnesota Masonic Foundation's Help Aid and Assist Fund. Seeded by contributions from the Grand Lodge of Minnesota, the fund can be used to aid any Minnesota Masonic family that encounters difficulty that cannot be addressed through traditional means.
• Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center - Imbued with a sense of passion for men, women and children suffering from cancer, Masons of Minnesota made voluntary gifts totaling $2,100,000 between 1955 and 1966 to pay the full cost of building the Masonic Memorial Hospital, now known as the Masonic Cancer Center. Carrying on its long tradition of supporting cancer research and education, in 1991 the Masonic Cancer Center Fund, Inc. pledged $5 million to the Minnesota Medical Foundation, the official, fund-raising arm of the University of Minnesota Medical Schools, to build a new cancer research facility. This is the largest commitment the Masonic Cancer Center Fund, Inc. ever made. The new cancer research facility was named the Masonic Cancer Research Building. This state-of-the-art facility is located on the east bank of the U of M campus in Minneapolis. It contains laboratory space and houses a diverse team of outstanding cancer researchers, who lead the way in expanding and intensifying Minnesota's cancer research efforts
• Minnesota Masonic Homes - ìIn July 1920, the original Minnesota Masonic Home opened its doors in Bloomington. Since that time, Masonic Homes has served thousands of people - Masons, Eastern Star members and others in need. Today, this community houses approximately 450 residents in independent living, assisted living, as well as board and care and 24-hour skilled nursing
• In 1999, Minnesota Masonic Home expanded its services to the aging by adding Masonic Home North Ridge and CareBreak Adult Day and Transportation Program in New Hope. Masonic Home North Ridge is home to more than 700 residents. The North Ridge community includes senior apartments, personal care suites, and 24-hour skilled nursing care.

Appendant Organizations

Many Masons go on to join associated groups like the Shrine or Scottish Rite. There are also opportunities for the family members of Masons to be involved in appendant groups like: Eastern Star, DeMolay and Jobs Daughters.