DC Masonic Charity

While the primary focus of Freemasonry is on improving its members, it would be impossible to accomplish that goal without having an effect on those around them. In that way, Freemasons are very active outside their Lodges, both in charitable endeavors and in community outreach and involvement.

The Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia has three primary charities - The Masonic Foundation of DC, St. John's Mite, and the Masonic and Eastern Star Homes Charities of Washington, DC (MESH). These charities serve Masons, their families and the community-at-large through volunteerism and project funding.

Occasionally, the Grand Lodge, in partnership with one or more of the charities, will endeavor to temporarily focus its charitable efforts on a specific issue of concern to its membership, such as disaster relief.

To learn more about our charities or any specific funding campaigns currently underway, see below.

Bread for the City:
The 2021 Grand Master's Charity

The Grand Master's charity this year is Bread for the City. They are a local non-profit whose mission is to help Washington, DC residents living with low income to develop their power to determine the future of their own communities. They provide food, clothing, medical care, and legal and social services to reduce the burden of poverty They seek justice through community organizing and public advocacy. And they work to uproot racism, a major cause of poverty.

This year, the Grand Master has set a goal of $25,000 to secure naming rights to the new fresh market Bread for the City just constructed in Southwest D.C. It is an ambitious goal--but one we are confident this jurisdiction is up for!

Click to donate below, or contact the Grand Lodge Office for more options.

Donate NOW!

Joint Covid Relief Fund

As the global pandemic of COVID-19 has significantly affected both the physical and economic health of the brethren of this Jurisdiction, a special fund has been created to address the growing need for relief our brethren and their families face. Because the mission of this fund aligns with the specific charitable missions of all Masonic charitable organizations in D.C., a joint effort is being coordinated and managed by MESH Charities with support from all other Masonic charitable funds in the Jurisdiction.
To volunteer your time or service, or to donate funds directly, please click the appropriate button below.

Donate money

Donate your services

Lebanon Disaster Relief Fund

Two chartered and one under-dispensation Lodges of the Grand Lodge of D.C. operate in Beirut, Lebanon. After the tragic explosion in the harbor area of Beirut, Lebanon, much rebuilding and relief are need as our brethren there deal with this terrible accident. Funds to aid in their relief are being collected by The Masonic Foundation. Click the button below to donate.

The Masonic Foundation of DC

The Masonic Foundation is the charitable arm of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. They provide funding and support for various DC based community service projects, organizations serving the people of DC, and scholarships for DC high school graduates and those attending DC colleges and universities. The Masonic Foundation is a 501(c)3 private, fraternal non-profit organization.

St. John's Mite

St. John's Mite is a charitable fund that provides emergency short term assistance for members of our constituent Lodges who are in need. This aid is provided anonymously and evaluated on a case-by-case basis. St. John's Mite is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organization.

MESH DC

The Masonic and Eastern Star Homes of DC provide services and financial relief to Freemasons and members of the Order of the Eastern Star of the District of Columbia, and their spouses. They also support the charitable and community services of other organizations and people serving the people and communities of District of Columbia. MESH Charities of the District of Columbia is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit organization.