The Humanitarian Foundation
Grottoes International Humanitarian Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that brings “Special Smiles” to children with special needs by providing them much-needed dental care. The program helps cover the cost of dental treatment and anesthesia costs, whether done in a hospital setting or dental office.
In 1951, the Humanitarian Foundation’s first project was “Aid for the Cerebral Palsy Child”, the main thrust of the charitable trust from 1953 to 1970. Realizing the momentum from the 1950s to 1960s, the Humanitarian Foundation Trustees expanded their scope by adopting the Dentistry for the Handicapped Child in 1969, when they agreed the Grottoes International would establish a dental clinic for the handicapped child at Illinois Masonic Medical Center.
In 1973, the Extension Program of the Dentistry for the Handicapped Child began, when the Humanitarian Foundation Trustees realized many children who did not live in the Chicago area could be treated locally and at less cost, without the burden of traveling and housing for the parent and child. The program is now designed to help children with special needs under the age of 21 receive the best dental care possible. Today the Humanitarian Foundation has a unique partnership with qualified dentists throughout the United States and Canada.
The Dr. of Smiles
The “Dr. of Smiles” is a volunteer role within the Humanitarian Foundation, serving as the crucial local liaison for its Dental Care for Children with Special Needs Program. A Dr. of Smiles acts as the primary local point of contact between families, the Humanitarian Foundation, and dental providers. These volunteers are key to the operation of the dental program, ensuring eligible children receive care. This includes guiding parents and guardians through the entire application process, including submitting the Parent/Guardian Form and Dentist’s Evaluation Form, staying in regular contact during treatment addressing questions or assistance needs, and forwarding completed applications to the Humanitarian Foundation for final processing—unless the local role is vacant, in which case the national office manages it directly.
The Dr. of Smiles role is often described with the acronym MANOFGRACE, coined by Dr. Edward Sterling at the 2011 seminar:
Mediator
Ambassador
Negotiator
Originator
Facilitator
Grantor of Help
Recruiter
Advocate
Conduit
Enabler
Enchanted Lanterns
In the early days of Masonry and the Grotto, the owner of a local business would hang this type of lantern in front of his store to notify of a meeting that night. For the Grotto, the Enchanted Lantern signifies a “Beacon of Hope” for children with special needs. The history of the lantern was not forgotten when, in 1953, the Grottoes adopted the “Enchanted Lantern” as their emblem to represent each contribution of $50 or more. The annual sale of Enchanted Lanterns to Grotto members, family, and friends has become the backbone of the Humanitarian Foundation’s fundraising efforts for over 60 years.
Members generate the money that is placed in the Humanitarian Foundation Trust, along with their family and friends through the Enchanted Lantern program and Gifts, Wills and Bequests Programs. The Gifts, Wills, and Bequests Program handles the gifts and estate contributions given by Grotto members, family, and friends who wish to continue helping these “special children” long after they are gone. With the Enchanted Lantern Program and the Gifts, Wills, and Bequests Program; it is our hope the Humanitarian Foundation will grow even larger, so we can continue to help put smiles on the faces of children in need.
The Fairchild Society
The Fairchild Society is a one of the key giving programs of the Humanitarian Foundation. Named in honor of LeRoy Fairchild, founder of the original Grotto in Hamilton, NY, the Fairchild Society is for major donors who may choose from a variety of giving levels through pledges. Prophets receive corresponding emblems representative of their gifts.
General Donations
Prophets and their friends are encouraged to help continue the work with children who have cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, mental retardation, Down syndrome and organ transplant through general donations.
All money donated is deposited into the Humanitarian Foundation trust which only grants interest and the interest on investments is used each year. This ensures that every gift will continue to brighten children’s smiles forever.