Charity
As a visitor to this site you will most likely be already aware that “charity is the distinguishing characteristic of a Freemason’s heart”.
With this in mind, please allow us to explain a little more about the provincial and national Mark registered charities that our members support, either directly or via Lodge activities.
Locally, The Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Kent Charity Fund, better known as the Kent Mark Benevolent Fund (KMBF), was established in 1985 following the 117th MBF Festival hosted by Kent.
The KMBF was introduced to fulfil two major objectives – Benevolence and Charity. The former is focused internally within the order whilst the latter is focused on supporting external good causes. Details of recent grants made by the KMBF can be found below and in the News section of this website.
Best Intents For 14th Broadstairs Scout Group
Canterbury Samaritans Benefit From £600 KMBF Match-Funding Donation
Tunbridge Wells’s Pickering Centre Receive £450 Donation
Kent-Based Odyssey Cancer Charity Benefits From KMBF Matched Funding
KMBF Continues To Support SERV Kent
Whitstable Echo Talking Newspaper Benefits From KMBF Matched Funding
A Grand Presentation By Thanet Masons
Tunbridge Wells’ Sea Cadet Unit “TS Brilliant” Receive £700 Donation
Talk Club Benefits From KMBF Matched Funding Donation
The local work of the KMBF integrates closely with the work of our national charity, the Mark Benevolent Fund (MBF) which came into existence in 1868 at the suggestion of M.W. Bro. Reverend George Raymond Portal, Grand Master of the Order of Mark Master Masons.
He had a very strong belief that for a charity to be effective it had to disburse funds swiftly. In his opinion, it was wrong for there to be any delay in providing assistance to those in need and his own Latin motto of “Bis dat qui cito dat” – he gives twice who gives promptly – became, and still is, the principal guideline of the MBF.