Masonic Home Informational Guide

of Missouri

MASONIC HOME

Informational Guide

Table of Contents Introduction 1 Masonic Museum 2 Outreach Programs

4 Financial Assistance 5 Partnership Programs 9 Resource Programs 12

We are where you are.

Ways to Support Us

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Truman Club 18 Vincil Society 20 Legacy Society 22

Contact Us 24

In 1875, MWB John C. Ralls presented the idea of “a ‘Home’ for the indigent widows and minors (orphans) of worthy (deceased) Master Masons ... to be located in some suitable and healthy place.” Through the hard work of many, the Masonic Home opened the doors of the St. Louis Home in 1889. The Masonic Home expanded in St. Louis into a full campus of care facilities, and opened the Western Unit, an assisted living facility, in Kansas City in 1986.

Introduction

In 1991, the Board of Directors made the difficult decision to close the St. Louis facility and relocate the residents living there. But also in 1991, the Board created the Outreach Program, a financial assistance program that could reach Masons and Eastern Star members in their communities. In 2011, the Board of Directors sold the Western Unit to focus 100 percent of its efforts on the Outreach Programs.

The Outreach Program expanded from one single financial assistance program to multiple programs, each satisfying a slightly different need throughout the Masonic Family. The Outreach Programs continue to meet the Masonic Home’s mission by providing relief to Masons, their wives or widows, ladies of the Eastern Star, and their dependent children finding new ways to partner with lodges and chapters, serving more of the membership through our non-financial assistance programs, and preserving our history in the Masonic Museum.

We encourage you to check us out on our website at www. mohome.org, give us a call at (800) 434-9804, or stop in and tour the Masonic Museum at the Masonic Complex in Columbia.

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The Masonic Home of Missouri built the Masonic Museum, a permanent five themed gallery museum, to weave together the historical significance of the fraternity, the history of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, and the history of the Masonic Home of Missouri, while providing an opportunity to share the historically significant Masonic items from individuals, lodges and chapters throughout the state of Missouri.

Masonic Museum

The Masonic Museum was dedicated on February 23, 2008.

Since its opening, the Masonic Museum has undergone minor updates with the most significant changes occurring in the Everyman Gallery which was designed to have rotating artifacts. In 2017, the Masonic Home began a renovation project in two of the galleries to update the stories and artifacts within those galleries.

The Masonic Museum is open for visitors 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday when the Masonic Complex is open. Although no appointments are necessary, you are welcome to call the Masonic Home of Missouri at (800) 434-9804 with any questions you might have regarding availability or if you would like to schedule a group tour of the museum.

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The Outreach Programs connect the Masonic Home of Missouri to members of the Masonic family, while also partnering with Masonic Lodges and Order of the Eastern Star Chapters to make a difference in their communities.

Outreach Programs

The Masonic Home of Missouri provides financial assistance to Masons and their wives, Masonic widows, Eastern Star ladies, and Masonic children. Although the Financial Assistance Programs are the core of the Masonic Home’s mission, the Outreach Programs are much more than providing financial assistance alone. They are also about providing resources and education, honoring our Masonic Veterans, and staying connected to Masonic widows.

Masonic Lodges and Order of the Eastern Star Chapters also partner with the Masonic Home of Missouri to help their fellow brothers and sisters in need. However, the assistance through our partnership extends beyond the Masonic family.

Together we are helping children in need in their communities, and partnering to fund honor flights for veterans and care packages for those currently serving.

Through the Outreach Programs, the Masonic Home is able to meet the changing and diverse needs of the membership, while also working together to make a difference in communities throughout Missouri.

To learn more about the Outreach Programs, please contact the Masonic Home of Missouri at (800) 434-9804 or visit our website at www.mohome.org.

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The financial assistance provided through the Long-Term Financial Assistance Program, Short-Term Financial Assistance Program, and the Children’s Outreach Program are for eligible Missouri Masons, their wives, honored widows, female members of the Order of the Eastern Star, and their dependent children. To receive this assistance, clients must qualify through their Masonic Membership and demonstrate a financial need.

Long-Term Financial Assistance & Short Term Financial Assistance

Financial Assistance

The Long-Term Financial Assistance Program assists eligible senior adults who do not have income and assets available to pay the entire cost of their care needs and living expenses.

The Short-Term Financial Assistance Program assists eligible adults who are experiencing an unexpected and temporary period of financial hardship, oftentimes caused by a recent job loss or serious illness. Financial assistance is provided with the anticipation that financial hardship can be resolved fairly quickly and is typically provided for a period of one to six months.

Financial assistance requests for both programs are presented to the Masonic Home of Missouri Board of Directors on an anonymous, case-by-case basis. Monthly and one-time payment assistance may be considered.

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Examples of monthly assistance include, but are not limited to: ••Monthly assistance with the cost of assisted and independent living ••Monthly assistance with quality of life items in a skilled facility (beauty shop, depends, etc.)

••Monthly assistance to help pay essential household bills and expenses (food, utilities, etc.)

One-time payment assistance can be requested for expenses that do not occur on a monthly basis such as: ••Hearing Aids ••Eye Glasses ••Medical Bills ••Dental Bills ••Insurance Payments For more information or to begin the process of applying for assistance, please call the Masonic Home of Missouri and request to speak to a Financial Assistance Caseworker to discuss your needs and specific situation. The Initial Application can also be obtained from the Masonic Home’s website at www.mohome.org. The Initial Application is used to verify the client’s Masonic membership. The Age and Length of Membership Requirements are the same for both programs:

Applicant age

when raised as

Master Mason

Continuous Good Standing requirements prior to application

Prior to the age of 40 40–49 years 50–59 years 60+ years

5 years 10 years 15 years 20 years

Once membership is verified, the Financial Assistance Caseworker will discuss with the client if he/she would like to schedule an appointment to complete the Financial Application. A caseworker will travel to the client’s location, if the client lives within the state, to take the application. The client will be asked to provide written information to substantiate financial need, such as bank statements and monthly bills. Upon receipt of all information, the application will be processed and reviewed by the Board of Directors at their monthly meeting.

The Financial Assistance Caseworker will follow-up with the client after the Board Meeting to inform the client of the decision made by the Board of Directors.

Children’s Outreach Program

The Children’s Outreach Program provides financial assistance to the legal dependents of Missouri Master Masons or Missouri female members of the Order of the Eastern Star. Legal de-

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The Masonic Home’s Partnership Programs help the Missouri Masonic community strengthen connections with its members in need. These programs include Masonic Family Cares, Creating-A-Partnership, and Partnering to Honor.

pendents must be 21 years of age or younger or over the age of 21 with a physical or mental disability. Assistance provided through this program may help with medical care and services such as dental, hearing, vision, therapy and equipment.

The parents or legal guardians of the child must demonstrate a financial need and complete the financial application on the child’s behalf. To learn more about this program or request an application, please call the Masonic Home of Missouri and ask to speak to a Financial Assistance Caseworker.

The Financial Assistance Caseworker will discuss your situation and obtain your Masonic information to verify membership. Age and Length of Membership requirements are different for this program, as the parent or legal guardian only needs two years of Missouri Masonic membership prior to application to qualify.

Masonic Family Cares

Partnership Programs

The Masonic Family Cares Program helps facilitate connections between Lodges and Chapters and the Masonic brothers and sisters in their communities. Sometimes the Masonic Home receives requests from Masons or Order of the Eastern Star members, but the assistance needed is really a helping hand from the local Lodge or Chapter. The Masonic Home can act as a liaison between the member and the Lodge or Chapter, getting the two connected.

A Lodge or Chapter may find that a Missouri Mason, his wife or widow, or a female member of the Order of the Eastern Star has a need that the Lodge or Chapter can assist with, but there is a financial component. For example, a Brother might need a ramp for wheelchair access to his home due to a change in his health. The lodge Brothers would like to build the ramp, but the Brother cannot afford the cost of materials.

The Lodge or Chapter can complete an application indicating the cost for materials along with how their volunteer hours will be used in conjunction with the funds requested from the Masonic Home. The Masonic Home may grant funds up to $10,000 per Lodge or Chapter each fiscal year, July 1st to June 30th.

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If your Lodge or Chapter is already lending that helping hand, please share your stories with the Masonic Home at (800) 4349804, so we can feature it in our Masonic Outreach magazine.

Creating-A-Partnership & Partnering To Honor

The Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) Program is a matching funds program that creates a partnership between the Masonic Home and Lodges and Chapters to help children in need within their communities. There are two ways to work this program: Individual Child/Children – Lodges and Chapters can work within their community to identify a child or children in need through schools or other local community organizations.

Funds can be used to provide school supplies, coats, shoes, hygiene items, eye glasses, etc.

Project-Based – Lodges and Chapters can identify projects within their communities through schools or through other charitable organizations. Recipients of the CAP Project-Based funds must be a 501(c)(3) as defined by the IRS or a public entity, such as a school. An example of a project that may qualify is the backpack food program found in communities statewide, which provides food over the weekend for schoolchildren in need. The matching funds must go toward the purchase of specific items for children, such as food or backpacks. The Masonic Home will not match funds for general operating expenses.

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The CAP program is not intended to be used as a Thanksgiving or Christmas program.

The Partnering to Honor (PTH) Program is a matching funds program that provides an opportunity for the Masonic Home and Lodges and Chapters to join together to help fund Honor Flights for Veterans and care packages to active duty military personnel.

Honor Flights – Honor Flights (www.honorflight.org) started in 2005 to help veterans visit Washington D.C. to visit their war memorial. The Masonic Home is not affiliated with the Honor Flight Program, nor is the Masonic Home responsible for any aspect of the Honor Flight Program. The Masonic Home works only with Lodges and Chapters to help fund this program, so our deserving veterans can make the trip. If you are a veteran interested in the Honor Flight, please contact the Honor Flight Program in your area directly.

Care Packages – Lodges and Chapters can create the care packages themselves or work with other organizations putting together care packages to send to active duty members serving overseas or in the United States. If a Lodge or Chapter wants to make a monetary donation to an organization for care packages, such as the VFW or American Legion, the matching funds must go toward specific items for the care package and cannot go toward general operating expenses.

projects for both the CAP and PTH Programs. Once a need has been identified, the Lodge or Chapter must complete and submit the corresponding application along with their matching funds to the Masonic Home. The CAP and PTH Programs each have an application that can be obtained from the Masonic Home’s website at www.mohome.org or by calling the office at (800) 434-9804.

After the application is approved, the Masonic Home will return to the Lodge or Chapter a check with the matching funds. Approved funds will be sent to the Lodge or Chapter payable to the designated store or 501 (c)(3) organization.

The Masonic Home will not reimburse Masonic Lodges, Chapters or individual members of a Lodge or Chapter.

Once items are purchased and/or funds are donated, the Lodge or Chapter will be responsible for providing a copy of the receipt(s) and/or a letter from the organization showing how funds were spent. The Lodge or Chapter will not be able to make additional requests until all receipts are received.

All matching funds must be raised by the Lodge and/or Chapter and the application must contain two members signatures, with one being either the Worshipful Master, Worthy Matron, Secretary or Treasurer.

The Masonic Home of Missouri will match up to $10,000 raised by a Lodge or Chapter for approved items and/or 11

Resource Programs

The Masonic Home’s Outreach Programs are more than just financial assistance programs. Some of the programs are about recognizing and honoring special groups, such as our Masonic Widows and Masonic Veterans. Other programs help provide assistance through non-monetary means. Everyone in the Masonic Family that contacts the Masonic Home in need of assistance can receive Social Services and Financial Education. These programs have no age and length of membership requirements, nor do they require a financial need. They are designed to help provide information and education.

Non-Financial & Resource Programs

Widows Program

The Widows Program helps the Masonic Home stay connected to our honored Masonic Widows. When the Masonic Home learns of a Masonic widow, we send her a special lapel pin and a widows card listing her late husband’s Masonic record should she ever need assistance from the Masonic Home. In addition, the Masonic Home maintains contact throughout the year with cards and the Masonic Outreach magazine.

The Masonic Home works with the Grand Lodge of Missouri and the local Lodge Masonic Home Representatives to maintain up-to-date and accurate listings of widows. If you are a Missouri Masonic widow and have not been contacted by the Masonic Home, please reach out to us at (800) 434-9804. We look forward to keeping you updated on the Masonic Home and provide a link to a Masonic Lodge, if needed.

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Veterans Program

The Veterans Program is a way for the Masonic Home to recognize and thank our Masonic Veterans. Once a Masonic Veteran is identified, the Masonic Home will send him or her a veterans lapel pin as a small token of our appreciation for his or her service to our Country. Throughout the year, the Masonic Home will send special mailings to those veterans to honor and thank them for their services.

Social Services Program

The Social Services Program offers free phone consultation to Missouri’s fraternal members. This program provides guidance and education to members who require assistance locating needed community resources. Often times, members find value in problem solving issues they may be experiencing regarding financial hardships, care issues, and long-term care planning. Adult children of Missouri fraternal members are also welcome to utilize the Social Services Program to obtain assistance for their parents. To utilize the Social Services Program please call the Masonic Home at (800) 434-9804 and ask to speak to an Outreach Caseworker.

Assistance Programs, the Financial Education Program does not require participants to meet Age & Length of Membership guidelines to take part in the program.

The majority of the clients in the Financial Education Program receive one-on-one counseling with the Home’s Accredited Financial Counselor through regular consultations. Topics addressed are specific to financial needs of each client and focus on areas in which they require the most support. These include budgeting, prioritizing expenses, debt management, adjusting to change in income or expenses, and setting shortterm financial goals. Participants are often referred from the Financial Assistance Programs to address financial concerns or crisis. However, many clients are self-referred to avoid financial distress or to prepare for expected expenses or transition.

The Home’s Accredited Financial Counselor also provides educational group presentations on most requested financial topics. These presentations are an excellent free service for your local Lodge and Chapter members, and provides opportunity to connect with your Masonic widows, local youth, and other members of your community.

Financial Education Program

The Financial Education Program offers financial education and counseling services to Missouri Masons, Eastern Star members, and their family members through free individual consultations and group presentations. Unlike the Financial

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The Masonic Home cannot move forward without the collective support of donors, staff, board members, and the entire Masonic Family. Whether you contribute by donating, working a Program through your Lodge or Chapter, or by referring your brothers and sisters in need, we appreciate and need your continued support. Take a look at the many ways that you can support our mission or help us fund our mission.

Support Our Mission!

Ways to Support Us

•• Refer your Masonic Brothers and Sisters in need •• Encourage your Lodge or Chapter to partner with the Masonic Home to help children, veterans, brothers, or sisters in your community through the three Partnership Programs: Creating-A-Partnership, Partnering To Honor, and Masonic Family Cares •• Encourage your Lodge’s Masonic Home Representative or Secretary to keep widow and veteran information up-to-date •• Get and stay educated about the Masonic Home’s Outreach Programs and spread the word •• Donate to help fund the mission of the Masonic Home

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Help Us Fund Our Mission!

Every gift makes a difference.

Join a Donor Recognition Society •• Join The Truman Club and commit to annual giving •• Encourage your Lodge, Chapter or other organization to join The Vincil Society and remain active members •• Join The Legacy Society by remembering the Masonic Home in your estate planning Participate in Events and Fundraising Programs •• Attend the annual Truman Club Dinner

•• Host and/or attend Regional Club Events in your area •• Support the Annual Charity Golf Tournament with a sponsorship and/or a team •• Contribute to the Masonic Home’s annual Spring and Holiday Appeals •• Have a stone engraved in the Square & Compass Courtyard leaving a permanent legacy •• Encourage your Brothers and Sisters to contribute to the Penny-A-Day Program through your local Lodge or Chapter

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Give Directly to Support Programs •• Mail your check or donate online at www.mohome.org •• Set up a recurring gift •• Consider a large gift and speak with our Major Gifts Officer •• Check with your employer about company matches or other corporate programs •• Select the Masonic Home when shopping online or in stores that offer donation programs

Contact us to get started.

Jodi Blake

Director of Finance & Development jblake@mohome.org 573.814.4663

Julie Kirchhoff

Annual Giving Officer jkirchhoff@mohome.org 800.434.9804

Jackie Walters Major Gifts Officer jwalters@mohome.org 800.434.9804

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MWB Harry S. Truman served as Grand Master of Masons in Missouri from 1940-1941, and as President of the United States from 1945-1952. He exemplified the tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth, and was committed to the mission of the Masonic Home of Missouri, through his leadership and his financial support.

Named in his honor, The Truman Club was developed to recognize those loyal individuals who support the Masonic Home of Missouri with ongoing, annual giving.

The support of Truman Club members is essential to the ability of the Masonic Home to continue to help those in need.

Please consider joining the Masonic Home in this endeavor.

The TrumanClub A Society of the Masonic Home of Missouri

“The Masonic Home of Missouri, in my opinion, is reason enough for the existence of the Masonic Fraternity. Every man who is a member of our Fraternity in Missouri ought to be proud of the fact that he contributes to the welfare of his Brethren, and their children.”

–Harry S. Truman, Grand Master’s Address 1941

Membership Eligibility

The Truman Club recognizes both annual and cumulative giving to the Masonic Home. To be eligible for membership in The Truman Club, an individual must make an annual commitment of at least $100 during the calendar year. An individual’s cumulative giving since January 1, 2004 is calculated to determine eligibility for The Truman Giving Societies.

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Benefits

The Masonic Home wishes to thank our donors with additional benefits of membership for both their annual and cumulative donations.

Each September the Masonic Home hosts The Truman Club Dinner. This exclusive event provides an opportunity for the Masonic Home to honor our members while raising funds to benefit the Outreach Programs.

Members whose cumulative giving has reached $2,500 or more will be permanently recognized for their contributions on The Truman Club Donor Wall, located at the Masonic Complex in Columbia.

Truman Giving Societies

As your annual donations accumulate, you have the opportunity to move through the society levels, each named after one of Missouri’s most illustrious Masons and Eastern Star Members.

The Society Levels are below: Amount Level $1,000 - $2,499 Lewis and Clark Society $2,500 - $4,999 Laura Ingalls Wilder Society $5,000 - $9,999 Thomas Hart Benton Society $10,000 - $24,999 Samuel Clemens Society $25,000 - $49,999 Charles A. Lindbergh Society $50,000 - $99,999 Omar Bradley Society

$100,000 - $249,999 $250,000 and above

JC Penney Society Harry S. Truman Society

Recognition

The Masonic Home wishes to thank our donors with additional benefits of membership for both their annual and cumulative donations.

Each September, the Masonic Home hosts the Truman Club Dinner to recognize our members while raising funds to benefit the Home‘s programs. This annual event is an excellent opportunity for the Home to honor those donors who have joined or moved up within the Truman Club by presenting their Truman Bust, Society Membership pins and/or other donor gifts.

Members whose cumulative giving reaches $2,500.00 or more are permanently recognized for their contributions on the Truman Club Donor Wall, located at the Masonic Complex in Columbia, Missouri.

All brothers, sisters and friends of the Masonic Home are invited to join The Truman Club. For information on joining this unique and most valued group of donors, please contact our Annual Giving Officer at (800) 434-9804.

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Your planned gift to the Masonic Home of Missouri will have meaning and impact for generations to come. Legacy giving does not require a large income or vast estate. Legacy giving only requires a thoughtful intention to make a difference by identifying the Masonic Home of Missouri in your will or estate plan.

About Our Legacy Society

The Legacy Society A Society of the Masonic Home of Missouri

Those who remember the Masonic Home of Missouri through a will, trust, beneficiary designation or other planned gift are invited to join the Masonic Home of Missouri’s Legacy Society. Too often, these gifts are unrecognized because we are unaware of these special gifts until the donor has passed away. At these times, proper appreciation cannot be expressed and questions regarding the specific purpose of the gift may remain unanswered. The Legacy Society provides a way to recognize and thank donors during their lifetime(s), and ensure that your wishes are properly documented.

Involvement in The Legacy Society gives you the opportunity to enjoy the company of others who, like yourself, care about leaving a legacy to benefit your Missouri Masonic family and thousands of children who find themselves in need.

You may always choose to remain anonymous in your philanthropy. However, participation in The Legacy Society can be an inspirational experience, and may encourage others to look

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toward the future and how they too may have an enduring impact on the causes about which they are most passionate.

Benefits of Legacy Giving

•• Stocks and Securities •• Real Estate •• Bequest in a Will or Living Trust

Legacy giving offers us a way to make a difference, far beyond the measure of one lifetime. Benefits of joining The Legacy Society include:

•• Gifts of Life Insurance

•• A relationship with the Masonic Home of Missouri and other donors during your lifetime.

•• Charitable Remainder Trusts

•• Assistance in wording your legacy gift to ensure your wishes are carried out.

•• Satisfaction in knowing your legacy will make a difference.

•• Special recognition in newsletters and annual reports, unless anonymity is desired.

•• Permanent Recognition on The Legacy Society Tree located at the Masonic Complex.

•• Some planned gifts can reduce your tax burden during your lifetime, such as gifts of securities and real estate.

Types of Planned Giving

There are many planned giving vehicles that quaify for membership in The Legacy Society, including, but not limited to:

•• Charitable Gift Annuities •• Charitable Lead Trusts •• Beneficiary Designation of Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA, 401(k), 403(b)) Please consider joining this elite group of generous individuals by remembering the Home with a planned gift. If you have already included the Masonic Home of Missouri in your will or other planned gift, we encourage you to let us know so that we may honor you as a member of The Legacy Society.

Legacy Society members share a dedication to the Masonic Home of Missouri – but every act of giving is personal and unique. Contact our Major Gifts Officer at (800) 434-9804 to discuss your preferences.

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The Vincil Society A Society of the Masonic Home of Missouri

MWB Rev. John D. Vincil, orphaned as a child, was very passionate about the need for the creation of the Masonic Home of Missouri, making the call for support to lodges in 1889 during his 27-year tenure as Grand Secretary, and serving on the original Board of Directors. A true leader, MWB Vincil also served two terms as Grand Master of Missouri, assisted with the formation of the Order of the Eastern Star in Missouri in 1875, serving as the first Worthy Grand Patron, and served as the first Most Worthy Grand Patron when the General Grand Chapter was organized in 1876. He was a teacher, a minister, and a member of the University of Missouri Board of Curators, where he served as President.

Qualifying Gifts

Named in his honor, The Vincil Society was developed to recognize the financial support of lodges, chapters and other organizations for the Masonic Home of Missouri.

The following do not qualify when calculating cumulative giving for Vincil Society membership: Creating-A-Partnership (CAP) and Partnering to Honor (PTH) donations matched by the Masonic Home, per capita fees, event tickets or registration fees, purchase of items, and gifts to other Masonic charities.

The support of the membership is essential to the ability of the Masonic Home to continue to help those in need. Please consider joining the Masonic Home in this endeavor.

Membership Eligibility

The Vincil Society recognizes cumulative giving to the Masonic Home since January 1, 2014. Upon reaching $500 in cumulative gifts, your organization is invited to join The Vincil Society. As you continue to give, you will move up through the Giving Levels.

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The following types of donations made by the organization to the Masonic Home of Missouri will be included when calculating cumulative giving: Penny-A-Day Memorial and Honorary Gifts Square & Compass Courtyard Paver Stones Event Sponsorships General Contributions

Annual Recognition

New Vincil Society members and those who have achieved a new level during the year will be formally notified and recognized. Members will receive a certificate or plaque for display at their organization and permanent recognition on The Vincil Society Donor Wall, located at the Masonic Complex in Columbia, Missouri.

Giving Levels

Giving levels are based on an organization‘s cummulative qualifying donations made to the Masonic Home of Missouri beginning January 1, 2014. The Vincil Society giving levels are as follows: Level Bronze Silver Gold Platinum Diamond

Amount $500 - $4,999 $5,000 - $9,999 $10,000 - $24,999 $25,000 - $49,999 $50,000 and above

Gifts received by August 31st each year will be included for recognition purposes within that year.

Spread the Word!

Please encourage your Lodge, Chapter or other organization to participate in the The Vincil Society and help spread the word on how your support of the Masonic Home can help assist our Brothers, Sisters, widows and deserving children across the state.

To learn more about the The Vincil Society, please visit our website at www.mohome.org or contact our Annual Giving Officer at (800) 434-9804.

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of Missouri

MASONIC HOME 6033 Masonic Drive, Suite A Columbia, MO 65202 573.814.4663 800.434.9804 Toll Free 573.814.4660 Fax www.mohome.org

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