Gifts of Cash

Cash gifts can be made with cash, check or via credit card or automatic bank withdrawal. You can mail your gift, make it in person in our offices, or use our secure online giving form.

Gifts of cash can also be deferred until you or your loved ones pass away through naming the Foundation as the recipient of a bequest in your will or estate plans, or by designating a bank or retirement account to be payable to the Foundation upon death. You can also use gifts of cash to fund a charitable gift annuity, a charitable remainder trust, or a charitable lead trust.

If you itemize on your federal taxes, your gift of cash may provide a benefit through a charitable tax deduction.

Appreciated Securities

A gift of closely-held appreciated securities is a great way to support the Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation. Securities or mutual funds that have increased in value and that you’ve held for at least a year can be transferred or given directly to the Foundation. All you have to do is simply instruct your broker to transfer your securities to the Foundation (contact us if you have the physical securities so we can help you handle the transfer), which you can do at any time or with an order to transfer upon your passing. Your gifts of securities will help you reduce or avoid any capital gains taxes on the transfer, and you may also realize income tax savings through a charitable deduction on the appreciated value of the securities.

Securities can also be given through a will, estate plans or through a living trust, or can be used to fund a charitable gift annuity or a charitable remainder trust, which could result in greater returns than you were seeing through the securities themselves while still helping benefit your fellow Masons and our communities. Securities are also commonly used to fund charitable lead trusts, which could result in a tax-free transfer to your loved ones after you pass.

Real Estate

A gift of real estate is a generous way to greatly support the Foundation without ever having to take a dime out of your pocket. There are many different ways that a gift of real estate can make your giving dreams a reality as well as continue to provide security for your family and loved ones. The acceptance of gifts of real estate must be approved by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, so if your giving goals include real property, please contact us (and your estate attorney or advisor) immediately so we can ensure that your gift will have the maximum impact.

Gifts In-Kind

A gift-in-kind is a gift of tangible personal property, such as rare collectibles, valuable art or books, vehicles or other personal property. If you have items that you wish to donate, please contact the Foundation immediately so we can work with you on turning those beloved items into a powerful impact.

Memorials & Tributes

Making a memorial or tribute gift can be a wonderful way to commemorate significant milestones such as birthdays, holidays & weddings as well as making an impact on the lives of Masons, their loved ones and their communities.

You can create a memorial gift with cash, securities, real estate or other personal property. A letter will be sent to your honoree or their family, indicating that a gift has been made in the individual’s honor or memory.

Contact our office at (800) 994-7400 to arrange for a memorial gift in honor of your loved one.

Giving Clubs

The Michigan Masonic Charitable Foundation offers recognition clubs to honor our donors who advance our mission through their financial support. Members in our giving clubs enjoy a number of benefits, including invitations to special events, a recognition pin and certificate, and digital and physical recognition in our annual impact report.

Giving Club Levels

Silver Craftsman Club

For donors with cumulative giving of $500 to $999

Gold Craftsman Club

For donors with cumulative giving of $1,000 to $2,499

Platinum Craftsman Club

For donors with cumulative giving of $2,500 to $4,999

Master Craftsman Club

For donors with cumulative giving of $5,000 to $9,999

Grand Master’s Club

For donors with cumulative giving of $10,000 to $24,999

Grand Master’s Pillar Societies

For donors with cumulative giving in excess of $25,000

$25,000-$49,999 — Tuscan Society
$50,000-$99,999 — Doric Society
$100,000-$249,999 — Ionic Society
$250,000-$499,999 — Corinthian Society
$500,000-$999,999 — Composite Society

Builder’s Circles

For donors with cumulative giving in excess of $1,000,000

$1,000,000-$2,499,999 — Ashlar Circle
$2,500,000-$4,999,999 — Keystone Circle
$5,000,000+ — Pinnacle Circle

Fellowcraft Society

For donors with monthly recurring gifts

The Donor Bill of Rights was created by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and the Giving Institute: Leading Consultants to Non-Profits. It has been endorsed by numerous organizations.

The Donor Bill of Rights

Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To ensure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the nonprofit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:

1. To be informed of the organization’s mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
2. To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization’s governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
3. To have access to the organization’s most recent financial statements.
4. To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
5. To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.
6. To be assured that information about their donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
7. To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
8. To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization, or hired solicitors.
9. To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
10. To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful, and forthright answers.