Compass Park

In 1916, the Grand Lodge of Indiana and Indiana Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star opened the Indiana Masonic Home (now Compass Park) in Franklin, Indiana to provide a home for needy Masons, widows, and orphans. The year 2020 celebrates the 104th Anniversary of our Masonic retirement community. Compass Park is a Continuing Care Retirement Community–classified by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization. 

Things have changed over the years. Some residents now pay all of their living costs in independent living homes and apartments; the assisted living center; and the medical center.

As residents’ needs change, Compass Park is able to accommodate those changing needs through the following housing opportunities:

Independent Living

  • Cottages and Duplexes
  • Freemason Apartments
  • Ball Brothers Apartments
  • Youngs Creek Apartments

Assisted Living

  • One Bedroom Apartments

Skilled Nursing

  • Memory Care
  • Intermediate Memory Care
  • Skilled Nursing Care
  • Short-Term Rehabilitation
  • Hospice Care

Compass Park has approximately 350 residents and over 200 dedicated, caring employees.

What has not changed over the years is the charitable aspect of the Home. More than 40% of the residents have outlived their resources, and the Fraternity still provides them a terrific place to live. That is where the Indiana Masonic Home Foundation comes in.

The Indiana Masonic Home Foundation

The Indiana Masonic Home Foundation (IMHF) was incorporated in 1936 to provide long-term financial assistance to the Indiana Masonic Home. Since 1980, the Foundation has provided approximately $129.4 million to Compass Park. The distribution during the 2015-2016 fiscal year will total $3,981,389. The Foundation’s financial support to Compass Park is used to care for those in the Masonic family who are unable to financially care for themselves and to support projects that benefit the entire campus. IMHF also contributes $46,000 annually for the publication of the Indiana Freemason magazine.

The Foundation:

  • Is governed by a 12-member Board of Directors who meet quarterly.
  • Engages in public and promotional activities to increase awareness of the Home and increase the assets of the Foundation.
  • Manages the Ambassador program.
  • Conducts multi-faceted fundraising:
    • Annual giving
    • Major giving
    • Planned giving
  • Presents programs to Lodges, Eastern Star Chapters, and other Masonic bodies, as well as civic groups
  • Supervises and executes capital campaigns

Some people say, “The Foundation gives several million dollars a year to Compass Park. How can my donation make a difference?” Every dollar counts. In fact the Indiana Masonic Home only opened because Nettie Ransford, Past Grand Matron of the Order of Eastern Star established a penny collection and raised $32,000 to start construction. Every donation, large or small, means a lot.

A number of gift giving opportunities are possible –

  • Outright gifts by cash, check or credit card (gold cards memorials, gifts in honor of someone).
  • Gifts of life insurance and stocks
  • Bequests in a will or trust
  • Charitable gift annuities and charitable trusts
  • Vehicle donations
  • Brick purchases
  • AmazonSmile
  • Kroger Community Rewards

Gifts to the Foundation are tax-deductible as described in Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Please give generously.

Contact the Indiana Masonic Home Foundation at (317) 637-9582, (800) 277-4643, info@imhf.org, or imhf.org for more information. Join us on Facebook.