The Otago Masonic Charitable Trust is the umbrella charitable arm of all the Masonic Lodges within Otago.
The Trust traces its commencement to a meeting of Lodge representatives held on 28 May 1958.
The Otago Masonic Charitable Trust administers funds that have been donated or bequeathed by Freemasons or other community people specifically for community projects, with a particular interest in the elderly, the disabled and the young.
They also regularly support various foodbanks across Otago.
The Trust has assisted with community projects for Otago Community Hospice, Maniototo Hospital, Ranui Home, West Otago Health Centre, and administers other programmes for the benefit of specific interest groups or organisations.
In the past financial year, the Trust gave $64,918 to Community organisations and overall, the Trust distributed $95,130 for a number of projects, including bursaries and youth programmes.
The Cromwell Community House was one of the successful organisations to receive funding and purchased a laptop.
The laptop will be used to support people from the community with online applications and other digital skill development.
It will also allow the Community House staff to be more flexible and mobile in the services they provide.
