The Masonic Benefit Fund
ESTABLISHED 1925

Districts 1A, 1B, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, and 54 in Virginia

Attention Webmasters, If you are in the listed districts, please add this information or a link to this site on your website. We need your help to spread the word!

Attention Secretary's of all Masonic and appendant bodies in the listed districts, you are requested to share this great benefit with the Brethren at a stated communication. Printable copies are here. 

The Masonic Benefit Fund was established in 1925 by a group of Masons in Masonic Districts 1 & 54, adding the other districts at later dates. It is intended to provide a Fund to defray funeral expenses and give widows and orphans immediate needed monetary relief. It is comparable to a "sunshine" or "goodwill" fund, that is, it is funded by members to give relief to the families of all deceased members of the Fund at a time when the need is great.

The Masonic Benefit Fund is available to any Master Mason who is a member of a Lodge in the listed Districts, also any other Master Masons residing in the listed districts who are in good standing of a Lodge in another Grand Jurisdiction.

When a member of the Fund passes, the Fund will make available to his widow or designee, an amount equal to the number of the Fund members multiplied by $1.85. For example: if the number of Fund members should be exactly 1,000 multiply by $1.85 equals $1,850.00. This would be the amount his widow or designee would receive. As of October 24th 2005 there are 743 members of the Fund.

To join the Fund, fill out the online Application at www.Acacia16.org/MasonicBenefitFund.htm or download and complete the application and submit it to the Secretary-Treasurer with an initiation fee of $2.50. After joining you will be assessed $2.25 for each member that passes to the celestial lodge above. The Secretary of the Benefit Fund will then bill you for the assessments when twelve (12) brothers have passed. Typically, you will be assessed $27.00 four times per year, which is less then $9.00 per month. And is (TAX DEDUCTIBLE, consult your tax adviser)

This is not an insurance policy of any type. It is a tax deductible pre-collected fund to be made available to a member's family at a time of great need.

For more information: see the By-Laws and FAQ sections or contact the Secretary-Treasurer of The Masonic Benefit Fund, at:

William Arthur "Bill" Shortt
Masonic Benefit Fund
13120 Yorktown Drive
Bowie, Maryland 20715
Home: 301-262-5271
Cell: 301-219-9867
email: billshortt@joimail.com

Mail the completed form and $2.50 check to:

The Masonic Benefit Fund

c/o

William Shortt
Masonic Benefit Fund
13120 Yorktown Drive
Bowie, Maryland 20715
 

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By-Laws of The Masonic Benefit Fund

For the purpose of providing a fund to defray funeral expenses of deceased members and relieve the immediate distress of their widows and orphans, the members hereof associate themselves together, for the establishment and maintenance of said fund, subject to the following conditions, privileges and rights.

The name of the Association shall be “The Masonic Benefit Fund”.

OFFICERS: Section 1

The officers shall consist of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary-Treasurer, who shall constitute the Executive Committee, and a Managing Committee comprised, where practicable, of two or more members of the association from each Lodge represented.

DUTIES OF OFFICERS: Section 2

The Chairman shall preside at all meetings. He shall call an annual meeting of the members of the association during the month of March of each year for the transaction of business, the election of officers for the ensuing year, and for selection of members of the Managing Committee. He shall have the power to call special meetings, appoint special committees, and have general supervision over the organization.

The Vice-Chairman shall perform all duties of the Chairman during his absence, or during a temporary vacancy in the office.

The Secretary-Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection of assessments, the custody of all the funds, the payment of benefits, and the keeping of proper records, rendering a complete account of all financial transactions and other vital statistics at the annual meeting in March. He shall notify membership in writing, at least ten days in advance of the time and place of the annual meeting. He shall give bond in the amount satisfactory to the Executive Committee and at the cost of the Association. He shall receive a benefit upon the payment of death benefits equal to the sum of equal to the sum of 7.5 per cent of the amount paid. His books shall be audited annually by a committee appointed by the Chairman, and the report of the audit committee read at the March meeting.

The Managing Committee shall meet upon the call of the Chairman for the transaction of such business as may be brought before it. A quorum shall consist of five members, in addition to the Executive Committee who shall be ex-officio members of the Managing Committee. A majority vote of the members present at any such meeting shall be necessary for approval.

The Executive Committee shall be responsible for determining those distressed worthy master masons eligible for assessment relief, by having such assessment(s) paid from the funds on deposit.

MEMBERSHIP: Section 3

Master Masons in good standing residing in Districts 1A, 1B, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, & 54 shall be eligible for membership.

Applications must be on the prescribed form, accompanied with the initiation fee of $2.50, and endorsed with the recommendation of a member of the Managing Committee. Approval of the application by a majority of the Executive Committee shall constitute membership.

Any member in good standing demitting from his lodge shall be permitted to retain membership in the association and be entitled to its benefits upon compliance with these by-laws; provided, however, he shall affiliate with a Masonic Lodge within six months after date of demit, and shall notify the Secretary-Treasurer of such affiliation.

ASSESSMENTS AND BENEFITS: Section 4

The funds to operate the association and pay death benefits shall be derived from the initiation fees and from voluntary assessments of the members as herein prescribed. Each assessment shall be $2.25 for each death. Upon the death of a member his beneficiary shall be paid an amount equal to $1.85 for each and every member in good standing on the date of such death. Said payment shall be the only payment made to the beneficiary by the Benefit Fund. The Managing Committee may in its discretion impose an additional assessment at any time to insure the Fund shall have sufficient funds in advance to pay fifteen assessments.

The Secretary-Treasurer shall pay the prescribed death benefit to the beneficiary of record promptly upon receipt of reliable information of the death of a member in good standing. Any member has the right to change his beneficiary at any time upon written request. In the event of the death of the beneficiary, or if for any other reason payment cannot be made to the beneficiary of record, within the period of one year, the death benefit shall be paid to such person, or persons, as the Executive Committee may decide to be lawful and proper.

FORFEITURE OF MEMBERSHIP: Section 5

Should any member fail to pay an assessment within thirty days after notice has been mailed to him or lose good standing in his lodge, he shall forfeit membership in and all rights to the benefits of the FUND; provided, however, that he can be restored by a majority vote of the Executive Committee upon making application within one year and paying all arrearages due at the time of suspension or voluntary withdrawal, together with all assessments made subsequent thereto.

AMENDMENTS: Section 6

These By-Laws may be amended at any annual or special meeting, provided the membership has been notified in writing, not less than ten days in advance that proposed changes are to be presented. A majority vote of the members present at any such meeting shall be necessary for approval.

(AMENDED, April 30, 2001)

BENEFIT FUND ESTABLISHED 1925

FAQ section

Question: How and when does the beneficiary receive the benefits?

Answer: The Secretary-Treasurer of the Fund hand delivers a check in person to the beneficiary within days of being notified of a passing.

Question: Has the $2.50 initiation fee been changed since 1925?

Answer: No,

Question: Has there always been about 700 members?

Answer: No, at onetime membership was around 2,000. The main reason for the decline in membership has been the lack of knowledge that The Masonic Benefit Fund even existed. We are now once again spreading the word of this great benefit.

Question: If each time there is a death and we get assessed $2.25 and only $1.85 is given to the beneficiary where does the extra 40 cents go?

Answer: The extra 40 cents a member pays goes to defray the cost of sending out the notices, postage printing, supplies etc.

Question: Does the Fund get audited?

Answer: Yes, We do have an audit each year and we also file the 990 form with the IRS.

Question: Do you accept payment by credit card?

Answer: Yes, through PayPal, Details here.

Question: Will I be notified when a member passes?

Answer: Yes, about 4 (four) times per year or when 12 (twelve) Fund members have passed to celestial lodge above, included with your assessment will be a list naming all members who have passed.

Question: Are the assessments tax deductible?

Answer: Yes, consult your tax adviser.

Question: Can the beneficiary be changed?

Answer: Yes, you should make sure the beneficiary information stays accurate by contacting the Secretary-Treasurer of the Fund.

Question: Can I cancel my membership in the Fund?

Answer: Yes, at anytime, by contacting the Secretary-Treasurer of the Fund.

Question: Can I pay for and enroll another member besides myself?

Answer: Yes, contact the Secretary-Treasurer of the Fund.

Question: How long do I have to pay an assessment?

Answer: 30 days, see by-laws, section 5.

Question: Does The Masonic Benefit Fund have meetings?

Answer: Yes, see by-laws, section 2.

Last revised: April 30, 2008 This page has been accessed Times Since October 2005