The Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of the State of New York Charity Fund Corporation

1. The Grand Council of CrypticMasons of the State of New York Charity Fund Corporation

2. Charity ....has always been considered to be one of the greatest of Masonic virtues. ….has been a part of the tradition and teachings of Freemasonry. Our concern for one another and humanity in general is a core principle of our everyday practice.

3. History of the Charity Fund In the late 1940’s there wasa growing need among CrypticMasons of New York to have acharitable project by which the Royal and Select MasterMasons could rally around.

4. In 1950, Most IllustriousGrand Master George W. Pratt was responsible for theformation of the Grand CouncilCharitable Fund.

5. Over the next six years modestsums were contributed to worthycharities. But there was a growing needto focus on one major effort. The Grand Council eventually adoptedParkinson’s Disease as its principalproject for its charitable endeavors.

6. In 1961, the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of the State of New York Charity Fund Corporation was legally established and itsprimary goal was to raise fundsfor finding a cure to eradicateParkinson’s Disease.

7. In 1962, because of the evergrowing knowledge in spin-offresearch in this area. The projectwas expanded to include the research field of geriatics with special emphasis on Parkinson’s Disease.

8. Over the years, the By-Laws of the Corporation were amended toallow the Corporation to grant fundsto other worthy causes approvedby its Board of Directors. But the Corporation is ever mindful that its major endeavor wasand is still, to fund research tofind a cure or therapeutictreatments for Parkinson’s Disease.

9. Funding Charitable Causes …the contributions from members and Councils …the annual interest and dividends earned from our investments …from special gifts, bequests or trusts …from other public charitable individuals and/or organizations

10. Funds Contributed To Date 1966-2006: $257,000.00 – Parkinson2007: $12,000.00 – Parkinson 2008: $14,000.00 – Parkinson2009: $15,000.00 – Parkinson 2010: $14,000.00 – Parkinson 2011: $15,000.00 – Parkinson2012: $14,000.00 – Parkinson Total: $341,000.00

11. Funds Contributed To Date For Parkinson Disease we have given 24.63% of the total$341,000.00 in the last 6 years! 2010: $1,000.00 Masonic Youth 2011: $1,000.00 Masonic Youth 2012: $4,000.00 Masonic Youth Total: $6,000.00

12. Masonic Youth Groups The Youth Groups that arebeing supported through the Charity Fund are as follows: The Order of DeMolayInternational Order of RainbowThe Organization of TrianglesConstellation of Junior Stars

13. New Cause To Be Supported The Charity Fund Board of Directors at their stated meeting ofMarch 1, 2012 approved a new Charitable cause for the Charity Fund to support with the 2012-13 Fundraising Campaign.That cause is the“Wounded Warrior Project.”

14. The Wounded Warrior Project This worthy cause addresses theneeds of those men and women who have served our country through the military. The Wounded Warrior Project worksto raise awareness and enlist thepublic’s aid for the needs of severelyinjured service men and women;

15. to help severely injured servicemembers to aid and assisteach other; and to provide unique, directprograms and servicesto meet their needs.

16. The Wounded Warrior Project isanonprofit, nonpartisan, organization whose mission is to honor andempower wounded warriors. To date, over 40,000 members of our nation’sarmed forces have been physicallywounded in Iraq & Afghanistan.Studies estimate more than 300,000 will suffer from the effects of

17. post-traumatic stress disorderand traumatic brain injury.All of these injuries are oftendevastating, leaving a formerlyactive man or woman unable to care for themselves. Whilegrateful for their return, the round-the-clock care requiredto treat these wounded warriors

18. often falls on their families;giving caregivers have no choicebut to leave their jobs and foregohealthcare of their own in orderto meet the need of their loved one.WWP provides the programs and services to assist these injured Veterans and their families during

19. their recovery, rehabilitation,and transition.WWP’s vision is to help make this generation of wounded warriors the most successful and well-adjusted in ournation’s history. www.woundedwarriorproject.org

20. New Image For Charity Fund The Board of Directors have been working very hard to develop and present a new image for the Charity Fund Corporation. That image is the following:

21. …Open and Transparent …Supported by each Cryptic Mason and every Council in the State of NY …Broaden its support to worthy charitable causes …Develop new resources to promote the Charity Fund …Build up our Endowment

22. Open and Transparent The Directors have made a conscientious effort to keep its members MORE informed and AWARE of the vision and financialdirection of the Charity Fund.The Directors have encouraged Grand Council Officers to be active in the knowledge of theCharity Fund.

23. The Directors have madethemselves available to membersand Councils to answer anyquestions or concerns raisedabout the Charity Fund. Financial Records have been madeavailable to be reviewedby outside personnel.

24. Supported by Each Cryptic Masonand Council in the State The Charity Fund Directors have made a concerted effort to promoteawareness of the importanceof each Cryptic Mason and Councilin the State of NY to support theFund. This year we nearly met 100% participation by all of our Councils.

25. We only lacked 2 Councils out of 29. Sixteen Councils gave $5.00 or more per member.We still have a very long road ahead to having each Cryptic Mason in the State of NY to make a minimum contribution of $5.00 per year. Our goal remains 100% participation by each Cryptic Mason and Council!

26. Broaden our Support to Worthy Charitable Causes The Directors are looking at allways to broaden financial supportto our worthy causes and even tosecure resources to fund newcauses upon which to embark.

27. Developed New Resources toPromote the Charity Fund …Powerpoint presentation developed …A New Brochure has been created …Made available Charitable Causes resource materials for education and support

28. Build Up Our EndowmentThe Directors of the Charity Fund have developed and approved aa new program to build the Charity Fund Endowment base from which we can fund into the future ourapproved worthy charitable causes. This new program is “The Solomon Arch Society.”

30. CHARITY FUND CHARITY FUND THE SOLOMON ARCH SOCIETY THE SOLOMON ARCH SOCIETY CHARITY Fund THE SOLOMON ARCH SOCIETY

31. We hope that you find that your Charity Fund Corporation is moving in the right direction and is meeting your expectations for its existence. We remind you that the Grand Council Charity Fund Corporation is your Charitable organization. We need each and every one of you to support it in order for it to meet itsgoals for the future!

32. How Can You Take An Active Role in The CharityFund Corporation, you ask? …Promote it favorably among your Companions and Council …Support it financially witha minimum $5.00 gift each year …Join “The Solomon Arch Society” …Hold a Fundraiser event

33. Masons together hand in hand to serve one another and humanity in general. Please Join The Effort! Charity