The Mark Benevolent Fund (MBF) is a registered charity (no. 207610), which came into existence in 1868 and whose overriding aim is to disburse aid swiftly and without bureaucratic formality to needy Mark Masons and their families. Thus, the motto “Bis dat qui cito dat” – “He gives twice who gives promptly” – is the principal guideline of the MBF.
The Fund has disbursed many millions to individual petitioners, an even greater sum in grants to charities within the wider community and the Board of Trustees meets quarterly to consider applications. A major grant of £1.6m has been made to the RNLI help fund a new life boat, Addenbrooke’s Hospital Trust received over £2m for machines to help in the diagnosis of prostate cancer and a pledge of £2.6 million has been made to Hope for Tomorrow Cancer Charity for the purchase of mobile chemotherapy units throughout the UK. £3.2 million went to St John Ambulance to fund a combination of 52 state of the art ambulances, treatment centres and support vehicles to be stationed throughout England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
Donations within Sussex include SMILE Respite Care, East Sussex Association of Blind & Partially Sighted and £150,000 for the installation of an “Immersive Space” in the new DREAM Centre at Chailey Heritage.
These projects can only be funded with the help, dedication and by the generosity of the brethren on both an Individual and Lodge basis mainly through the Festival system and soon put to good use.
Brethren and Lodges can contribute to the MBF at any time and the donations are credited towards honorifics of the MBF. Details of the honorifics and how to make contributes direct to the MBF are available on the MBF Website: