"Tradition Through Education and Charity"

The Nebraska Masonic Foundation is a charitable foundation and is tax-exempt under IRC Section 501c(3). Nebraska Masons are members of the Foundation by virtue of their gift(s) to the Foundation. They are entitled to attend the annual meeting, held during the Annual Communication, and to vote for members of the Board of Directors.

The Foundation's Board of Directors is elected by the general membership of the Foundation. Board members are elected to represent the broad interest of the public rather than the personal or private interest of a limited number of donors.

The Foundation was formed in 1985 by a group of concerned Brothers. Their initial plan was to see a Masonic Center built to serve the Fraternity in Nebraska. The center was envisioned to hold a museum and library, and serve to preserve the traditions of Masonry. The center would also help promote the historic Masonic ideals of universal benevolence, patriotism, ethical conduct and citizenship.

A property was located on the Lincoln Mall, which runs East and West between the City/County Building and the State Capitol Building. A major fund raising effort was begun; however, the $1,000,000 could not be raised to bring the dreams of the founders of the Foundation to fruition. Plans were scaled down, but the search continued for a sight that was suitable to house the offices, museum and library of the Grand Lodge of Nebraska.

In 1999, the Foundation purchased property located at 1240 N.l0th Street in Lincoln, Nebraska to serve as the offices of the Nebraska Fraternity. The purchase included a $100,000 renovation of the existing property into a structure that now befits our order. The building serves as office for the Grand Lodge with the administrative staff, Office for the Foundation and it contains an office for the Grand Master, a conference room, break room, a library/museum, and storage room for archives and records.

The Foundation is responsible for maintaining the physical structure of the building and collects rent from the Grand Lodge for its use of a portion of the structure. The Foundation's total assets & liabilities are $499,610.55 as of December 31, 2002. Current investments of the Foundation total $203,045.63.

Foundation funds are used for sponsoring educational scholarships through direct donations and through restricted funds and trusts, such as the Kimball and Pierce Scholarship Trusts. The Foundation has gifted DeMolay, Job's Daughters and Rainbow Girls, the National Masonic Renewal Task Force, Prince Hall Grand Lodge F. & A.M. of Nebraska and it provides annual scholarships for band students in the Masonic All-Star Marching Band. The Foundation is also a supporter of the Nebraska Freemasons CHild Identification Program (CHIP).

The Foundation has been a contributor to the George Washington Memorial and the Nebraska D.A.R.E. Project. It has provided financial assistance in reimbursement for Friendship/Prospect Nights held by subordinate lodges, and provided funding for the national Grand Master's Conferences.

The Foundation survives totally on gifting. There are several ways a tax-exempt gift can be made to the Foundation; Gifts of Cash, Appreciated Properties and Securities, Life Insurance Policies, Annuity Trusts and Unitrusts, Real Estate, Charitable Lead Trusts, and Bequests.