Colorado Masons Benevolent Fund Association: Matching Grant

The Colorado Masons Benevolent Fund Association offers a Matching Grant program for graduating public high school seniors attending Colorado institutions. Established in 1984, this initiative matches up to $500 of grant money presented by local lodges to students. Over $536,000 has been invested in this program, benefiting many students. Eligible applicants must be graduating seniors, with a focus on leadership, maturity, and need, ensuring a diverse range of candidates can access educational opportunities.

Overview
The Colorado Masons’ Benevolent Fund Scholarship Committee was established in 1966. Scholarships amounting to over $15 million have been awarded to over 1700 students to attend institutions of higher learning in Colorado. The scholarships recently have been for $7000 per year, renewable for four years for a total of $28,000 and are awarded primarily for leadership, maturity, need, and scholastic ability without reference to race, creed, color, sex, or Masonic relationship. The Scholarship committee also awards Vocational Grants to be used at Colorado schools for vocational education. These are one-time awards and are usually for $1000. The criteria for applicants is the same as for the scholarships. The only requirements are that an applicant be a graduating senior in a public high school in Colorado and the he or she attend an institution of higher learning within the state of Colorado. Home school students who have a relationship with the local public school (band, sports, other activities) are also eligible.
The scholarship administrator oversees the day to day operation of the program. He does not participate in the selection process. The Scholarship Committee consists of six well qualified individuals plus the chairman. This committee selects the recipients each year with the Grand Masters guidance and approval. The number of scholarships awarded each year is affected by the earnings of the Colorado Masons’ Benevolent Fund and determined by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.
In this program the Benevolent Fund will match up to $500.00 of grant money that each local lodge presents to a student of their choice. Students must be graduating public high school seniors attending a Colorado institution. Matching Grants began in 1984 and total dollars invested are over $536,000. High school seniors who are interested in this program should contact a local Masonic lodge to see if they have a local scholarship program.

Eligibility

Students must be graduating public high school seniors attending a Colorado institution.