The 2020 Foundation Trustees have made it a primary goal to strengthen donor accountability. As the Foundation broadens its fundraising efforts, donors frequently want more detailed project plans and results. Because the Foundation does not implement the projects, it is important that DI partner with the Foundation in advancing donor accountability. In the next week or so, we will be posting the results of this donor accountability effort. It has been a learning experience for both organizations, and we feel the results have been very good so far. So, stay tuned to learn more about DeMolay’s successes!

To read up on the initiative’s details, visit our website for more about the policy by ticking here.

The DeMolay Foundation announces a payment of $69,000 to DeMolay International as part of its Pillars of Charity Program. The Pillars of Charity funding efforts closed in 2018. This payment brings the total funded by the Foundation to date under the Pillars program to about $227,000 over about four years. The Foundation Trustees wish to extend special thanks to its donors and to Past Trustee Presidents Curtis Gimlin and Bill Paisley, whose efforts resulted in this important series of grants to DeMolay International. One additional cash payment of $11,500 will be made to DI under the Pillars Program in December of this year.

The corona virus is affecting the Leadership Camp’s planning modes for 2020, who are looking at alternative digital options should the respective governors continue the shelter in place directives. The Leadership Academy grants by the Foundation were intended to support in-person activities so the Foundation has reached out to the Camps to determine how the Foundation might support the efficient and timely digital camp development.

In the event in-person camps are not held, the Foundation will not fund this year’s grants. Instead, it will consider funding a reasonable amount of the digital development costs. This concept is under consideration by both the Trustees and the Camps. A joint conference call has been arranged for Camp leaders to discuss the approaches. The Foundation’s role is simply to coordinate the Camp’s effort with this call and to identify what funding might be appropriate.

The DeMolay Foundation Board of Trustees authorized an expenditure of up to $100,000 to eight DeMolay Leadership Camps. The grants have been in the works for about six months. Thanks to a generous end-of-year solicitation campaign, as well as several donors to the Second Century Fund, the grants have been made possible. Foundation president, Paul Bohannon, explained, “We had our best end-of-year soliciation in years, particularly since we were able to shave costs by about 50%. I can’t emphasize the importance of your individual donations.”

Foundation Coordinator, Braden Zimmerman, a PIMC, explained the grant process. “We formed a PIMC Task Force and evaluated the criteria of what best typifies a DeMolay Leadership Camp – we like to call them ‘Leadership Academies.’ The next step was to identify those that qualified, which ended up being eight.” The eight camps include the Oklahoma’s DLX, Pennsylvania’s KeyMan, Ohio’s DeMolay Leaders of Excellence, Missouri’s University of DeMolay, . Each camp, under the grant, will receive $12,500 in 2020.

Bohannon explained the grants’ purposes: “The grants are not intended to underwrite normal operating losses nor normal operating expenses. Rather, we intend the grants to extend either the camp programs or participation. We are encouraging the camps to identify new speakers or programs that will further their purposes. Alternatively, the camps can implement a scholarship program for DeMolays that need the assistance. If a camp chooses this option, it will need to implement a policy on how need is identified.The Foundation is involved only to the extent of verifying that the camp administration has implemented a process of identifying need. We do not do the need determination, nor do we evaluate the merits of the state’s determination process. That is each camp’s business.”

Bohannon indicated that the virus is imposing a signficant challenge to the camps this year. The Foundation will be visiting with them about the issues.

The Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma stepped up for DeMolays everywhere by extending a $100,000 Leadership Gift to the DeMolay Foundation Second Century Fund.

Paul Bohannan, President of the DeMolay Foundation’s Board of Trustees, said the donation of $100,000 was a major step in launching the new effort. The Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma deserves much praise for its bold effort to be a significant leader in this new effort, he said. The gift was directed to the DeMolay Foundation endowment. This year alone, the endowment earnings have underwritten the costs of DI’s new Membership Services Representative program and the DI sponsorship of the Shriner’s Annual Hospital Baseball Classic, benefiting thousands of children needing special medical treatment.

George Braatz, Foundation Trustee, receives the $100,000 check from John Logan, Executive Director, and Secretary Robert G. Davis

Last year, DeMolay observed its 100th Anniversary. Now, looking forward, leaders are seeking to continue the momentum by seeking the support of many Masonic organizations in America, as well as seeking gifts from individuals, to insure the youth organization’s future.

Bohannon added, “This gift, made possible by Oklahoma Masons through The Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma, challenges Masons everywhere to help solidify the Masonic DeMolay relationship.”

Goals of the new campaign include more scholarships for DeMolay, enhanced advisor training, increased camp opportunities, upgrades for the DeMolay museum in Kansas City, improved outreach across the country in leadership skills, and strengthening the Foundation’s endowment to insure financial stability for the next century.

Special thanks go to Trustees George Braatz and Johnny Onkst for their efforts to secure this gift.