The Grand Master’s Project
Every year the Grand Master chooses a charity to support through fundraising activities. By tradition, most lodges invite the Grand Master for a visitation during the term and make a donation to his charity at that time. Proceeds from sales of commemorative items and reception tickets, as well as individual gifts make for a significant contribution on behalf of the Grand Lodge to this chosen beneficiary.
Grand James Bennette has chosen Teen Challenge as his project for 2026-27.
Adult & Teen Challenge of New England and New Jersey has sixty years of experience helping people struggling with addiction. The operate long-term, faith-based addiction treatment programs.
Residents at a dozen regional sites receive clinical counseling, recovery and life coaching, classroom studies, and vocational training.
Lodges and members seeking to donate should make checks payable to the “Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, I.O.O.F” with a memo for “Grand Master’s Project” and send them to the Grand Lodge office at 7 Newton Street, West Boylston, MA 01583 unless hand delivering to the Grand Master. Please email the Grand Secretary and Grand Master if you prefer to make individual donation directly to South Walpole Community Preschool for tax purposes.
Immediate Past Grand Master Susan Needle’s project raised more than $20,000 over two years for the benefit of the South Walpole Community Preschool.
Longstanding work against Arthritis
In 1985 the Sovereign Grand Master George Shaw (from Massachusetts) had the vision to recognize that a relationship with the Arthritis Foundation could be beneficial to our organization as well as to the millions who are affected by this disease. In 1987, the foundation was granted official approval as a Sovereign Grand Lodge charity.
The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts continues to lead the Order in supporting the work of this incredibly effective charity through lodge donations and two major annual fundraisers: The Arthritis Ball held each winter and the Orrin J. Eaton Memorial Golf Tournament in June.
The Odd Fellows Home
Like many jurisdictions of the Odd Fellows and other fraternal orders, the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts founded a nursing home for the benefit of its members and their surviving family members. Organized in 1898 and moved to a modern facility in 1990, the Odd Fellows Home of Massachusetts is a nonprofit skilled nursing facility to this day.
The Board of Directors of the home is entirely composed of Odd Fellows elected by the Grand Lodge, the Rebekah Assembly, and the Grand Encampment of Massachusetts.