THE MASONIC FOUNDATION OF D.C: IN THE BEGINNING
The Masonic Foundation of D.C:
In the Beginning Stewart W. Miner, PGM Grand Secretary Emeritus
The Masonic Foundation of the District of Columbia was created by the Grand Lodge at a Special Communication, called by the Grand Master, J. August Johnson, Jr., on March 31, 1960. At that communication, following thorough discussion, the Grand Lodge adopted proposals authorizing the creation of a “Certificate of Incorporation” and the establishment of “By-Laws for the operation of the Masonic Foundation.” By these actions the Grand Lodge responded positively to growing concerns about the future of fundraising for charitable purposes in the jurisdiction. It was clear at that time that developments over which the Grand Lodge had no control could impact adversely on established charitable programs. Moreover, there was a general feeling in the Craft that something should be done to regulate and protect the brethren, their lodges, and the Grand Lodge as they pursued their charitable endeavors. These concerns had been voiced as early as 1959. The Masters’ Association in that year proposed a resolution in Grand Lodge “for the protection and safeguarding of the offices, the persons and the estates of the Grand Master of Masons of the District of Columbia and the Worshipful Masters of its constituent lodges, as well as the assets and funds of the Grand Lodge and its constituent lodges.” By this resolution, which was adopted, the association also obtained permission to apply for tax exemptions, federal and local. During 1959 the Grand Master, MWB Reuben Bagley, Jr., appointed a Special Committee to study the possibility of establishing a foundation to handle such matters. He was concerned about the ability of Masons in the District of Columbia to continue to make significant contributions in support of the operation of the Masonic and Eastern Star Home. “In the near future,” he said, “we will lose the free facilities of the Ball Park (Griffith Stadium), adding
another great expense in rental of a suitable place for an affair of this nature (the Night of Thrills).” The Night of Thrills, to which the Grand Master referred, had been a consistently fruitful fundraiser ever since it was launched in 1938. Typically it involved the presentation of a professional baseball game, which was then followed by a program of very entertaining circus acts. Over the years it netted proceeds ranging from $20,000 to more than $30,000 per year. The success of these programs was made possible, in no small way, by the benevolence of Clark and Calvin Griffith, who made Griffith Stadium available to the fraternity at no cost whatsoever. The premonition of MWB Bagley proved to be well founded. The local team, the Washington Senators, moved to Minneapolis in 1960, to become the Minnesota Twins, and a replacement expansion club, also known as the Washington Senators, moved to what is now known as RFK Stadium at the end of the 1961 season. The Griffith Stadium was closed in 1962 and demolished in 1965. According to the proceedings of the Grand Lodge, the last “Night of Thrills,” in its originally conceived form, took place in Griffith Stadium in 1961. During its first year of existence, that is, in 1960, the Masonic Foundation acquired donations derived from a social affair entitled the Golden Compass Ball, from individuals, and from established associated Masonic bodies, including the Scottish Rite Bodies of D.C., the Scottish Rite Foundation, S.J., and Almas Temple. The financial statement for the year, submitted on May 10, 1961, indicated receipts of $5,002.68 and disbursal of $2,427.68, all for the Masonic and Eastern Star Home. The balance, $2,575, was invested. From that humble beginning the assets of the Foundation, restricted and unrestricted, have grown to a total $6,626,555 as of December 31, 2007. The pattern of fundraising established by the Foundation in 1960 was carried forward, basically without change, until 1987, when the property of the Masonic and Eastern Star Home and the care of its guests was continued on page 27 The Voice of Freemasonry
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