One of the tenets of Freemasonry is charity.
The following information describes some of the charities that the Masons of Hong Kong and the Far East are involved with.
The Far East Masonic Association of Charity
The Far East Masonic Association of Charity (FEEMAC) is not a charity itself. It is a Masonic charity-clearing house and is managed professionally. It costs HK FE MB FC $15,000 per month in fees, which it pays as a service to all Hong Kong freemasons. If a Lodge or a brother wishes to make a donation to any charity, Masonic or otherwise, he needs merely to draw a cheque for the required amount payable to FEMAC and write on the back of the cheque the intended recipient(s). The cheque can be left in the FEMAC box at Zetland Hall. Because FEMAC has a charitable status - and the Inland Revenue Department renewed this in August 2000 - it will issue a receipt for monies received. This receipt is recognised by the Inland Revenue Department for tax purposes.
The Hong Kong Far East Masonic Benelovent Fund Corporation
The Hong Kong Far East Masonic Benelovent Fund Corporation (HK FE MB FC) is a fully-fledged charity, governed by statute and by-laws. It has an extensive portfolio that is managed 'in house' by its own Trustees. Each year it disburses about $1.5m in Masonic giving and $0.5m in non-Masonic giving. It relies upon investment income and to an extent, lodge donations, although these are only just beginning to increase above a nominal level. No freemason or his dependant will receive Masonic charity unless the 'pinch of poverty' is being felt.
The Chater Masonic Scholarship Fund
The Chater Masonic Scholarship Fund (CMSF) is also a fully-fledged charity, governed by statute. Its giving programme is currently aimed at assisting students from Primary to Tertiary Level schooling. For the moment, its funds are deemed as 'adequate' but this is a situation that is closely monitored by the President and his Deputy. As with the HK FE MB FC, CMSF is a 'tri constitution' organisation.
The Hong Kong Freemasons Overseas Trust
The Hong Kong Freemasons Overseas Trust (HKFOT) was established by Trust Deed in the Bahamas in 1989 as an eventuality of last resort. It is managed by a team of Advisors based in the UK, all of who currently are former Hong Kong freemasons. In its early days, HKFOT made disbursements to beneficiaries outside of Hong Kong but nowadays concentrates exclusively on Fund management. It is completely independent of Hong Kong freemasonry, despite the initial funding emanating from HK FE MB FC. It is a strategic reserve fund.
The Baked Alaska Fund
The Baked Alaska Fund pays for the 'Festival of Baked Alaska' which starts at High Twelve on the second or third Saturday each year in December. The Festival of Baked Alaska is a giant Christmas Party for under-privileged children. For more details, please follow this link.
Giving
No single Brother is 'too far down the list' to give to charity. The Entered Apprentice's dollar has equal value to a District Grand Master's dollar. Just how many dollars is a matter for each to decide. A professional in reasonable work in Hong Kong can afford, perhaps a $400 per month Standing Order, plus ad hoc support of the Annual Appeal. The upper limit is, perhaps, 1% of one's income. But the individual freemason must ensure that both his connexions and he himself are adequately provided for, before he gives money to charity. 1% of nothing, is after all, nothing.
