The power of giving together

Charity has always been at the heart of Freemasonry, and this year Queensland Freemasons once again showed the generosity that exists within Lodges and communities across Queensland.

Through Hand Heart Pocket’s Matched Giving program, 1,436 individual Members and 64 Lodges and Masonic groups supported 57 charities and community organisations, helping generate $243,978 for causes ranging from health and medical research to disability support, emergency services, youth programs, and community welfare.

Health and wellbeing causes received the largest share at $87,580, followed by community welfare at $48,340 and services supporting people with disabilities at $30,189. Together, these three areas accounted for more than two-thirds of all Matched Giving contributions.

Members supported organisations large and small, including Cairns Couch Ltd with $19,685, Stroke Foundation with $12,200, No Boundaries Disability Support Inc with $11,050, and The Forgotten Women, Braille House, and Hervey Bay Special School with $10,000 each.

Much of the momentum traces back to the Chairman’s Challenge, launched in April 2026 with one simple goal: double the impact of Matched Giving. Reflecting on the response, Chair Craig Reimers said: “When I put the Challenge to Queensland Freemasons, what happened next exceeded every expectation. Lodges showed up from Far North Queensland to South East Queensland and right across regional communities – the reach was extraordinary.”

That experience, together with feedback from Members, has helped shape a more generous and flexible Matched Giving program from 2027, with an additional boost for every $5,000 a Team raises. This means $15,000 raised by a Team can become $45,000 for their chosen charity.

These changes give Members greater capacity to make a difference in their communities through the organisations and charities they support.

Photo caption: Members of Tibrogargan Lodge rolled up their sleeves to support In the Paws of Angels

Find out how your Team can unlock Matched Giving