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Masonic Education and Charity Trust

EIN 04-2104701 · Boston, MA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO HOLD AND INVEST FUNDS FOR RELATED MASONIC ORGANIZATIONS AND DISTRIBUTE INCOME EARNED TO THEM AND TO RETURN THEIR INVESTED FUNDS WHEN REQUIRED IN ORDER TO FULFILL THE REQUIREMENTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF FREEMASONRY: FREEMASONRY (OFTEN SIMPLIFIED TO "MASONRY") ENHANCES AND STRENGTHENS THE CHARACTER OF THE INDIVIDUAL MAN BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIP, CHARITY, EDUCATION, ANDD LEADERSHIP BASED ON THE THREE ANCIENT MASONIC TENETS: BROTHERLY LOVE, RELIEF, AND TRUTH. MASSACHUSETTS FREEMASONRY IS A CROWNING LEGACY OF THIS VENERABLE HERITAGE AS WE STRIVE TO "MAKE GOOD MEN BETTER.

Income
$3.9 million
Spending
$3.2 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
58.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 73%
Employees
0
Highest pay
$117,660, assist sec./

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 58.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 54% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 77% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 31 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 20% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $2.4 million spent. 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 A CENTURY, THE OVERLOOK MASONIC HEALTH CENTER HAS BEEN CARING FOR MASSACHUSETTS MASONS, THEIR WIVES, WIDOWS, AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. THE HEALTH CENTER HAS REMAINED COMMITTED TO ITS MISSION TO MAINTAIN A PROFESSIONAL STAFF THAT PROVIDES HIGH QUALITY CARE AND SERVICES IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT FOSTERS RESPECT, DIGNITY AND CHOIOCE. SOME OF THE MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDED AT THE HEALTH CENTER INCLUDE: 24-HOUR SKILLED NURSING, POST-ACUTE CARE SERVICES, ALZHEIMERS AND OTHER DEMENTIA RELATED CARE PROGRAMS, FITNESS PROGRAMS, REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, AND NUTRITIONAL SERVICES. OVERLOOK VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION & HOSPICE SERVICES A FULL SERVICE MEDICARE AND MEDICAID HOME HEALTH AGENCY, OFFERING SPECIALIZED SERVICES AND PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEALTH TO AN AVERAGE DAILY CENSUS OF APPROXIMATELY 1700 CLIENTS. THE OVERLOOK VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION PROVIDES EXEMPLARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES ACROSS THE CONTINUUM WITH AN EMPHASIS ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK, AND WEEKEND ADMISSIONS ARE ACCEPTED. VISITING NURSE SERVICES CAN BE EASILY OBTAINED BY CONTACTING THE OVERLOOK OFFICE IN YOUR AREA. IN ADDDITION, REFERRALS CAN BE MADE FROM YOUR DOCTOR, HOSPITAL DISCHARGE PLANNERS, EXTENDED CARE FACILITIES AND COMMUNITY AGENCIES. OUR TEAMS OF PROFESSIONALS PROVIDE SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS AND CAREGIVERS TO HELP COPE WITH THE CIRCUMSTANCES ASSOCIATED WITH A TERMINAL ILLNESS. THE HOSPICE TEAM DESIGNS A PLAN OF CARE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE PATIENT AND FAMILY, WITH THE GOAL OF REDUCING PAIN AND PROVIDING COMFORT AND SUPPORT. OVERLOOK HOSPICE SERVICES, OFFERED IN SOUTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY AND NEW BEDFORD, ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK, 365 DAYS A YEAR. OVERLOOK HEALTH & WELLNESS INFOSOURCE A RESOURCE PROVIDING FREE ACCESS AND REFERRALS TO ALL YOUR HEALTH RELATED QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS. THE OVERLOOK HEALTH & WELLNESS INFOSOURCE WILL ASSIST YOU WITH REFERRALS IN SUCH AREAS AS HOME HEALTH CARE, MEDICAL SUPPPLIES, CAREGIVER AS

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1934.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.