Have you ever wondered how Freemasons Foundation Victoria came about -

and where the money came from?

In 1889, a newly formed Grand Lodge and a single generous act laid the seed for what would become the Freemasons Foundation Victoria (FFV). Today, FFV has distributed more than $21.3 million across more than 3,400 grants valued at $68 million - but the story of how it got here is worth telling.

A £500 beginning

When the United Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Victoria (UGLV) held its first Quarterly Communication in 1889, Most Worshipful Brother Sir William Clarke, Baronet - the inaugural Grand Master - made a personal donation of £500 to establish a Benevolent Fund. In today’s terms, that’s around $75,000. Members contributed a further £126 and 7 shillings on the same day.

It was a modest but meaningful start. An annual subscription of five shillings from every Victorian Freemason kept the Fund growing, while careful investment ensured the capital was never depleted - only the income was used for disbursements, a discipline that preserved the Fund’s foundations for generations.

By 1970, the sale of the original Freemasons’ headquarters in Collins Street added several million dollars to the corpus, allowing the annual subscription to be retired. The Fund had grown from a single act of generosity into a substantial and enduring asset.

The origins of the Benevolent Fund: photos left to right: Inaugural Grand Master, Sir William Clarke, Baronet; the original Freemasons headquarters on Collins Street; Past Grand Master Reg Gregory.

Broadening the Fund’s reach

For much of its early life, the Benevolent Fund focused on supporting brethren and their families in times of hardship. In 1912, it began awarding scholarships to children and grandchildren of Freemasons - a thread that continues to this day, though applicants no longer need be associated with Freemasonry to apply. Over time, donations were also made to a small number of charities outside Freemasonry.

In 1989, at the Centenary Grand Installation, the Freemasons Public Charitable Foundation (FPCF) was created to extend the Lodge’s generosity beyond the Masonic community. The Foundation gained real momentum after a $3 million bequest from Past Grand Master Most Worshipful Brother Reg Gregory - a former financial director of Myer Stores and long-time secretary of the Sydney Myer Fund. It was a transformative gift, and a signal of what was possible.

Building something enduring

By the mid-2000s, it was clear the existing structure had limitations. The Benevolent Fund held assets exceeding $20 million but operated under less favourable tax conditions. Meanwhile, the FPCF was making grants that outpaced its income. Something had to change.

Independent consultant Marion Webster, a founder of Melbourne Community Foundation, was commissioned to review the situation. Her 2008 report recommended establishing a legally separate not-for-profit company that could bring the funds together under a modern governance structure. It wasn’t a straightforward path and the road to agreement required significant persuasion.

Led by Bob Jones and Treasurer Roy Alderton, the case was eventually made. Freemasons Foundation Victoria was formally established, with its first board meeting held on 10 December 2014. Elected as Chair was Andre Clayton, with Dr George Streitberg as Deputy Chairman. Among the inaugural directors were Jane Hill and Carol Scholes-Robertson - the first non-Masons to serve on the board, a deliberate signal that the Foundation’s ambitions extended to the wider community. Neil Cripps was appointed Executive Officer in 2015 and served throughout FFV’s first decade, bringing continuity and care to the Foundation’s early growth.

A Foundation that learns

FFV was never static. Over the years, the board refined its governance, streamlined decision-making, and revised its strategy in response to real-world pressures - including the Victorian bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic. Each challenge sharpened the Foundation’s focus and commitment to protecting its asset base while continuing to serve those who needed it most.

In 2023, the board adopted a new motto that captures this evolved sense of purpose: ‘Improving the lives and opportunities of Victorians’.

A new chapter

In 2025, FFV entered a new phase of its development. Following a Board review of its 2023–2028 Strategy, Sandra Jacobs commenced as Chief Executive Officer, joined by a small but capable team: a Program and Community Engagement Manager, a Finance Manager and Company Secretary, and a Grants and Administration Officer.

Left to right: Joanna Walter – Finance Manager and Company Secretary, Natali Niceski - Grants and Administration Officer, Matilde-Rose Andre – Programs and Community Engagement Manager, Rodney Lavin JP – FFV Director, Garry James – Chairman, Sandra Jacobs – CEO, and Directors Philip Mayers AM, Christian Wood, and Matthew Schofield at the Blue Ribbon Foundation Gala event in late 2025.

The Foundation today reflects what thoughtful, modern philanthropy looks like while remaining true to the Masonic tradition. It supports Freemasons and their families through hardship and supports the youth of Victoria to achieve their educational aspirations. Partnering with Victorian Lodges, it increases the impact of their fundraising, supporting local charitable projects that matter to them. It makes strategic grants to benefit Victorian communities and broader societal challenges. And it stewards a corpus built on 135 years of discipline and generosity - all the way back to a £500 donation made in 1889.