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THE MASONIC FOUNDATION OF ONTARIO
is a registered charitable organization and receives gifts and bequests from
lodges, individual Masons and others who wish to share in its work. It was
founded in 1964 by Grand Lodge as a means of extending Masonic charity beyond
helping only members and their families. The fund contributes to a broad
spectrum of activities and projects in Ontario. Certain programmes are
continuous in character while others may be short-term and receive a one-time
contribution. One long-standing activity concerns non-repayable bursaries to
Ontario university and college students.
The Foundation has a strong interest in youth related projects. It supports
Voice, a provincial organization that assists hearing impaired children. The
Foundation is a major partner in the deafness and cochlear implant programme of
the Ontario Deafness Research Foundation. The Foundation provides funds for
drug and substance abuse education programmes. Working closely with the
Council on Drug Concerns and Alcohol Abuse (CODA) and Parents Against Drugs
(PAD), it has assisted in establishing Peer Education Programmes in provincial
schools.
Financial help goes to Autistic Homes of Ontario, an expanding
organization providing homes in which small groups of adolescents with this
severe learning disorder receive instruction and guidance. Other youth groups
to receive assistance include the 4-H Council, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Mentally
Retarded Children and C.N.I.B. Camp for Children.
Reference:
The Masonic Foundation of Ontario