Masonic Education & Charity Trust

What it reported doing in 2024

The masonic education and charitable trust holds and invests funds for the masonic home, the grand lodge of masons in Massachusetts and other masonic organizations. Net income and funds are distributed to these organizations for their charitable programs as described below: the essential qualities masons share in their diverse lives are a belief in a supreme being and a desire to strive for: fellowship with other masons high moral standards kindnesss in the home courtesy in society honesty in business fairness in all dealings being a mason: being a mason is about a father helping his son make better decisions; a business leader striving to bring morality to the workplace; a thoughtful man learning to work through tough issues in his life. Fellowship, friendship, and community service: throughout a masons life, fellowship and friendship is a key component, as well as community service. The typical mason wants to continue to grow as a man and to benefit society. Fellowship: by attending masonic lodge meetings and learning from your fellow masons, you will strengthen the bonds of fellowship as you join together with like-minded men who share ideals of both a moral and metaphysical nature. Youll enjoy the friendship of other masons in the community, and youll be welcomed as a "brother" by masons everywhere in the world. Freemasonry also promises that should you ever be overtaken by misfortune, sickness, or adversity through no fault of your own, the hands of our great fraternity will be stretched forth to aid and assist you. Charity: from its earliest days, charity has been the most visible masonic activity. Freemasons have always been devoted to caring for disadvantaged children, the sick and the elderly. In fact, masons in north america give away approximately 3 million to national and local charities each day, of which more than 70% is directed toward the general public. Masons are also actively involved in a great deal of community volunteer work. Education: the grand lodge of Massachusetts has advocated the education of its members since its earliest years. Its ceremonies provide instruciton to all members, supplemented by various other activities such as seminars, lectures, workshops, and reading. Because freemasonry is an esoteric society, certain aspects of its work are not generally disclosed to the public. Freemasonry uses an initiatory system of degrees to explore ethical and philosophical issues, and the system is less effective if the observer knows beforehand what will happen. It is described in masonic craft ritual as "a beautiful system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols." leadership: freemasonry offers its members leadership opportunities at the lodge, district, and grand lodge level. As freemasons progress through the craft, they discover different aspects of themselves and develop a range of skills that even they might not have known they possessed. By developing leadership techniques that fit their personality, masons unlock the door to their full potential. For more than ten years the grand lodge of Massachusetts has sponsored the masonic leadership institute for its members to strength leadership within our fraternity and to contribute to the personal growth of Massachusetts masons. Masonic health system (mhs) of Massachusetts was established in 2001 to continue the masonic tradition of caring. Mhs provides a continuum of quality services and programs to those in need by proudly sponsoring the following: the overlook community a 219 independent living residence continuing care retirement community (ccrc) on the charlton campus comprised of 205 apartments and 14 cottages. The overlook community is designed to offer high quality, maintenance-free living and relieve future health care concerns with complete peace of mind. Overlook masonic health center one of the most respected long-term care facilities in the state is situated on 450+ acres of beautiful countryside in charlton. For nearly

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 76.1%; rating input score 76
• Fundraising efficiency: $3.23 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 9; 9th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 72nd percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 4 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Fail
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 18.7%; rating input score 75; 75th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 28.71; rating input score 98; 98th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.54; rating input score 19; 19th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0.4%; rating input score 82; 82nd percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -19.2% per year; rating input score 0; 1st percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: -12.5% per year; rating input score 0; 1st percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: -3.5% per year; rating input score 0; 5th percentile among comparable filings