Special Smiles for Special Kids: The Humanitarian Foundation and Masonic Grotto Charity
Organization record
Organization: Humanitarian Foundation
Affiliation: Grottoes International, M.O.V.P.E.R.
Classification: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Official charity: Grottoes International
Established: 1949
Founder: Supreme Council of Grottoes International
Primary program: Dental Care for Children with Special Needs
Program scope: Dental treatment and anesthesia costs
Coverage settings: Hospital or dental office
Excluded cost: Hospital facility costs
Primary website: hfgrotto.org
Grottoes International: scgrotto.org
Local connection: Zelica Grotto
The Humanitarian Foundation operates as the official charity of Grottoes International. Its charitable program provides financial support for dental treatment for eligible children with special needs. The program includes dental procedures and anesthesia costs when treatment occurs in a dental office or hospital setting. Hospital costs themselves remain outside program coverage.
The Foundation was created by the Supreme Council in 1949. The first charitable focus involved children with cerebral palsy. Program development later expanded to dental care for children with a broader range of special needs and medical conditions.
The current program structure supports children under 21 through qualified dentists in the United States and Canada. Local Grotto representatives, identified as “Drs. of Smiles,” coordinate communication between parents or legal guardians, dental offices, and the Humanitarian Foundation.
Dental Care for Children with Special Needs
Age requirement: Under 21
Qualifying conditions:
- Cerebral palsy
- Muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular disorders
- Intellectual disabilities, including Down syndrome
- Organ transplant recipients, pre-transplant and post-transplant
Covered services:
- Dental treatment
- Anesthesia associated with covered dental treatment
- Treatment provided in a dental office
- Treatment provided in a hospital setting
Not covered:
- Hospital facility costs
- Services outside the Foundation’s allowable fee structure
- Cases that do not meet program eligibility requirements
The Humanitarian Foundation functions as a secondary carrier when private insurance is available. It functions as a primary carrier when no insurance is available. The Foundation determines maximum allowable fees for covered services.
Medicaid patients are not covered by the program. Insurance status and payment coordination require review before treatment begins. Dental offices and families use the required Foundation forms to document eligibility, treatment needs, insurance information, and estimated costs.
Program information, application forms, dental office procedures, and contact details are listed at the Humanitarian Foundation Dental Program.
Drs. of Smiles
Local liaison designation: Dr. of Smiles
Volunteer base: Grotto representatives
Administrative function: Family, dentist, and Foundation coordination
A Dr. of Smiles supports the application and treatment process through administrative coordination. The liaison maintains contact with the parent or legal guardian and the dental office. Required paperwork is collected, reviewed, and forwarded to the Humanitarian Foundation for processing.
The Dr. of Smiles role includes:
- Mediator
- Ambassador
- Negotiator
- Originator
- Facilitator
- Grantor of help
- Recruiter
- Advocate
- Conduit
- Enabler
The parent or legal guardian completes the parent application. The dentist completes the dental form and treatment information. The local Dr. of Smiles submits the completed materials to the Humanitarian Foundation.
When no local representative is available, the national office processes the case directly. The Foundation lists the national office contact information as (614) 933-0711 and hf@hfgrotto.org. Program forms include the Parent Form, Dental Form, and Dental Office Procedures.
Humanitarian Foundation history
1949: Humanitarian Foundation established by the Supreme Council
1951: First project, “Aid for the Cerebral Palsy Child”
1953–1970: Cerebral palsy assistance identified as the primary charitable focus
1969: Dentistry for the Handicapped Child adopted
1969: Dental clinic concept established at Illinois Masonic Medical Center
1973: Extension Program initiated for children outside the Chicago area
Current structure: Local dental treatment through qualified dentists across the United States and Canada
The 1973 extension model reduced travel and housing burdens for children and parents. Local treatment became a central operating feature of the program.
The Foundation’s charitable trust uses investment income to fund grants. Donations are deposited into the Humanitarian Foundation trust. Interest and investment earnings support the dental program each year. The structure allows contributions to remain connected to the program beyond the date of the original gift.
Enchanted Lantern
Historical function: Meeting-location signal
Material symbol: Red railroad lantern
Adopted emblem: 1953
Contribution association: $50 or more
Fundraising role: Long-term Humanitarian Foundation support
In the early days of Masonry and the Grotto, a red railroad lantern displayed in a window identified a meeting location. The lantern provided a visible signal for members gathering at a local site.
In 1953, Grottoes International adopted the Enchanted Lantern as an emblem. Each contribution of $50 or more became associated with the lantern symbol. Annual Enchanted Lantern sales developed into a central fundraising mechanism for the Humanitarian Foundation.
For nearly 60 years, annual Enchanted Lantern sales have remained a fundraising backbone. The symbol combines Grotto history, Masonic tradition, local chapter activity, and charitable dental care for children with special needs.
Giving societies
Enchanted Lantern Society
Purpose: Humanitarian Foundation charitable support
Association: Enchanted Lantern contributions
Funding destination: Humanitarian Foundation trust
Program connection: Dental Care for Children with Special Needs
Fairchild Society
Namesake: LeRoy Fairchild
Grotto origin: First meeting, September 10, 1889
Location: Hamilton, New York
Historical affiliation: Founder of the Grotto
LeRoy Fairchild was associated with Hamilton Lodge No. 120, F. & A. M. The organization formed on September 10, 1889. The Fairchild Society preserves the founder’s name within the Humanitarian Foundation’s giving structure.
Legacy Society
Purpose: Long-term charitable continuity
Gift types: Wills, bequests, estate contributions, planned gifts
Funding destination: Humanitarian Foundation trust
The Legacy Society connects estate planning and long-term charitable support. Gifts, wills, and bequests provide continuing resources for the dental program and future eligible children.
Details regarding the societies and Foundation history appear in the Humanitarian Foundation history record.
Grottoes International and Masonic affiliation
Organization: Grottoes International
Membership: Master Masons
Structure: Local Grottoes, Supreme Council, charitable foundation
Public identity: Goodfellowship, friendship, fellowship activity, philanthropy
A Grotto is connected to Masonry through its membership requirement. Grotto membership is restricted to Master Masons. The organization operates as a distinct nonprofit community organization with its own activities, chapters, events, and charitable programs.
The Humanitarian Foundation provides the primary national charity connection. Local Grottoes contribute through fundraising, volunteer service, donor programs, and community partnerships.
Reference: Grottoes International.
Zelica Grotto and Pensacola support
Local organization: Zelica Grotto
Location: Pensacola, Florida
Regular Bingo: Every Saturday
Bingo hours: 11 AM–4 PM
Funding use: Charitable organizations, including the Humanitarian Foundation
Additional fundraising: 50/50 raffles and prize drawings
Zelica Grotto Bingo provides a recurring local fundraising channel. Proceeds from the Saturday Bingo schedule support charitable organizations, including the Humanitarian Foundation. Local fundraising activity also includes 50/50 raffles and prize drawings.
The relationship connects a Pensacola Bingo operation with the wider Masonic Grotto charitable network. Game activity, raffle proceeds, prize drawings, donor contributions, and volunteer administration become local support mechanisms for national and community charitable programs.
Zelica Grotto charity information is listed at Our Charities. Bingo information is available at Zelica Grotto Bingo. Fundraising references appear at Raffles and Fundraisers.