San Francisco Chronicle
http://blog.sfgate.com/cityinsider/2009/04/01/money-from-the-masons/#comments

Money from the Masons

Apr 01, 2009

Jill Tucker

George the Mason

The Grand Master of the Masons of California and the leaders of the local Masonic lodges will be on hand at Visitacion Valley Middle School today to announce a new partnership with San Francisco public schools.

The state Masonic Foundation will hand over a $30,000 check to school Superintendent Carlos Garcia during the morning event. District officials said the money will help create an informational campaign aimed at increasing participation in public schools, including how to volunteer or donate funds to public schools.

Freemasonry is the largest fraternal organization in the world, dating back to Middle Ages castle builders. There are currently 5 million Masons worldwide.

Benjamin Franklin, George Washington and Paul Revere were among the first Masons in the U.S.

No one is ever invited to be a Mason. Men 18 and older (who must believe in a Supreme Being) must independently inquire about joining.

According to the Masons of California Web site, “A man first becomes a Mason at his local lodge. After he has been awarded the Three Degrees of Masonry, he may join Shrine, Scottish Rite, York Rite, or any other Masonic organization.”