Become A Member Today!
An Odd Fellow lodge is a good place to be. Meeting good people, making new friends, enjoying the pleasures of new experiences. It's where the action is in most communities. Sports, socials, dances, and parties are all part of the active life of Odd Fellows today.
Independent Order of Odd Fellows Benefits
Odd Fellowship is one of the oldest fraternities in the world. This non-political and non-sectarian order was founded on the basis of universal brotherhood. The order stresses the importance of the principles of Friendship, Love and Truth. Odd Fellowship aims to impress upon its members a real sense of their obligation to others. We need members who enjoy working with people, who want to help their community prosper and who want to serve others whenever there is need. From time to time, however, Odd Fellows find themselves in need and they can take advantage of the various benefits that the order makes available to them.
On this page you will find a listing of benefits afforded to members in the Jurisdiction of Pensylvania. Please contact us if you have any questions or need additional information.
PLEASE NOTE:
Many individual lodges have grant and loan programs available to their members.
Please check with your lodge secretary for information on amounts, application procedures and deadlines.
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Visual Research & Assistance Fund Sovereign Grand Lodge
The Odd Fellows and Rebekahs Visual Research Foundation Committee aids in restoring and preserving eyesight through research and prevention. The committee renders assistance to persons with visual or sight problems.
Contact:
E. Wesley Nelson, Chair
Visual Research Foundation
24 Northmount Drive, NW
Calgary, AB T2K 3E8
Email or call (403) 274-4644 -
Grand Lodge of PA
Financial assistance is available to members of the order in the jurisdiction who require financial assistance with various vision problems. Requirements: A letter from the lodge secretary, signed by the secretary and the noble grand & affixed with the lodge seal, should be sent to the Grand Secretary, stating the members need and the amount requested. The Grand Lodge Board of Officers reviews the request and informs the lodge of its decision.
Contact:
Grand Secretary, Grand Lodge of PA
1001 W. Harrisburg Pike
Middletown, PA 17057-4899
Email or call (717) 944-7419 -
Special Relief Fund
In certain circumstances, the Grand Lodge is available to lend assistance to members in distress. Each request is handled on an individual basis and submitted to the Grand Secretary for presentation to the Board of Grand Lodge Officers.
Contact:
Grand Secretary, Grand Lodge of PA
1001 W. Harrisburg Pike
Middletown, Pa. 17057-4899
Email or call (717) 944-7419 -
Odd Fellows Homes
The Grand Lodge is associated with two beautiful homes that provide both Assisted Living and a Personal Care facility for Odd Fellows and Rebekahs. If the member and/or their spouse is unable to support themselves by reason of age and indigence; or an infirm and physically disabled Odd Fellow or Rebekah of any age may apply for resident status.
Requirements: Although requirements differ for each home, in general, the Odd Fellow or Rebekah must be sixty-five (65) years of age, in good standing as a member of a Lodge, located in the Home District, and have been so for ten (10) continuous years prior to application. The non member spouse is not eligible to make application unless the husband or wife makes application at the same time or is already a resident of the Home. The couple must have been married for a period of at least ten (10) years continuously immediately preceding their application.
A widow of a member is eligible to become a resident of the home. The widow must be sixty-five 65) years of age, and the spouse must have been in good standing as a member of a Lodge, located in the Home District, and have been so and have been married for ten (10) continuous years prior to application.
Certain financial requirement must be met and will be fully disclosed before application.
Contact:
Administrator
The Odd Fellows Home of Pennsylvania
999 West Harrisburg Pike
Middletown, PA 17057
(717) 944-3351
Mrs. Diane Robinson
Orchard Manor
20 Orchard Drive
Grove City, PA 16127
(412) 458-7760 -
Hunger and Disaster Relief Fund
The Odd Fellows and Rebekahs Hunger and Disaster Fund is sponsored by the Sovereign Grand Lodge. The fund is for use in humanitarian acts consistent with the laws and precepts of the order. The fund may be used to assist person or persons or groups in need of such items as food, clothing, shelter or medical assistance. In addition, funds may be used for the rehabilitation of damaged properties.
The committee that oversees this fund is made up of Sovereign Grand Lodge Officers. Members needing assistance should send their request to the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of PA who will then notify the Sovereign Grand Lodge committee of the request.
Contact:
Grand Secretary, Grand Lodge of PA
1001 W. Harrisburg Pike
Middletown, Pa. 17057-4899
Email or call (717) 944-7419 -
Death & Sick/Disability Benefits
Death Benefits
Many lodges provide death benefits in the event of a member's death. In addition, some lodges also provide for a benefit to be paid in the event of the death of the member's spouse. The amount of the benefit varies by lodge and the member should check his/her lodge by-laws for specific information. In general, the member must have the 3rd degree and not be in arrears for dues to the lodge. The benefit is payable to the widow, minor orphan or dependent relative. If no relative is living, the benefit may be applied to the funeral expense.
Sick / Disability Benefits
Many lodges provide sick / disability benefits in the event of a member's illness / disability. The amount of the benefit and the amount of time that a member may collect vary by lodge and the member should check his/her lodge by-laws for specific information. In general, the member's illness / disability must be reported in open lodge by a member of the order or by mail. The member shall submit satisfactory evidence of sickness or disability.
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Odd Fellow-Rebekah of Pennsylvania Scholarship Program
Each year we provide young men and women the opportunity to apply for a $500 scholarship toward their education. Last year we received nearly 65 nominations and were able to award 55 scholarships. We hope that as students return to college we will see an increase in these numbers. We are happy to report that because of Odd Fellow generosity we were able to increase the scholarship last year to $1000 to those who qualified.
Download one (1) nomination form for your lodge. Please copy it for your members. The nomination form will also appear in the monthly Odd Fellow magazine. No nominations will be accepted if not on this form. Please make sure you complete the nomination form correctly and meet all deadlines. Members of any branch of the order who are making the nomination MUST be members in good standing of their lodge. A student 25 years of age and over must be a member of the order and can then nominate themselves.
Be sure to mail the nomination to the address on the form. DO NOT MAIL TO GRAND LODGE. The deadline for completing and mailing the nomination form is January 31, 2024, and is strictly adhered to. Upon receipt of the nomination form, the scholarship application will then be mailed directly to the nominee.
Remember, only children, grandchildren and step-children under the age of 25 are eligible to be nominated by members of the order. Nieces, nephews, brothers, sisters, neighbors and friends are not. If these non-qualifying relatives or friends wish to apply, please suggest that either their parents or they themselves consider joining an Odd Fellow Lodge.
DO NOT SEND THIS FORM TO GRAND LODGE
NOMINATIONS TO BE MADE ON THIS FORM ONLY
NOMINATIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY JANUARY 31, 2024
Odd Fellow-Rebekah of Pennsylvania Scholarship Program Letter
Odd Fellow-Rebekah of Pennsylvania Scholarship Program Nomination Form
MAIL TO:
Thomas J. McHugh, PGM
PA Odd Fellow Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 594
Pittston, PA 18640-0594
(570) 793-3692 -
The Philadelphia Home for Orphans
5% loan accruing after graduation (maximum $2,500 per year). A 1000 scholarship is also available. Deadline for application is 12/31.
Contact:
The Philadelphia Home for Orphans
Home Education Committee
2310 Huntingdon Rd.
Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 -
Sovereign Grand Lodge
4% Educational Foundation Loan Program -A young person desiring a loan must write personally to the Executive Director for an application. A maximum of $16,000 can be borrowed for a complete course of four years or more. Students enrolled in a 2 or 4 year program must establish one grading period with at least a "C" average in an accredited college or university before receiving loans.
- $2,000 Ingstrom Trust Regional Scholarship
- $1,000 Charles J. & Christine Wirz Scholarship
- $1,000 UN Pilgrimage for Youth Scholarship
- $500 Lawson/Pezo Vocational Technology Scholarship
- $15,000 Christine Smith Graduate Studies Scholarship
Contact:
R. Kenneth Babb
Education Foundation
IOOF PO Box 20455
Winston-Salem, NC 27120
Email or call (336) 724-5116 -
Grand Lodge of PA
$500 IOOF Youth Scholarship
Requirements: A Member of order must fill out a nomination form mailed to the lodge secretaries in November & mail the form to the committee chairperson named on the form by March 1st. An application will then be sent to the student and must be completed and returned by March 15th. The committee meets in April to determine awardees. The number of awards is based on available funds.
Nomination Form PDF
Introduction Letter PDF
Contact:
Pennsylvania Odd Fellow-Rebekah Scholarship Fund
1001 W. Harrisburg Pike
Middletown, Pa. 17057-4899
Email or call (717) 944-7419 -
IOOF Western Home of PA at Meadville
Each year, 25 citizenship cash awards are presented to students representing various high schools throughout northwestern, PA. Students who receive these $300 awards are selected by the high schools in the various communities.
Contact:
Ms. Judy Ireland
Odd Fellows Home of Western PA
400 N. Main Street
Meadville, PA 16335
(814) 724-1864 -
Odd Fellow & Rebekah Home of Western PA at Grove City
A 2% per annum loan program is available from the home. The applicant must re-apply for the loan each year. A total of up to $2,000 each year may be requested for up to four years, or a total loan of $8,000. Payment of interest is due every July and repayment of principal must begin 3 months after the student leaves school.
Contact:
Linda Dixon, Secretary
Odd Fellow and Rebekah Home of Western PA at Grove City
c/o 433 Liberty Street
Grove City, PA 16127
Email or call (724) 458-6937 -
Odd Fellows & Rebekahs Association
of Western Pennsylvania Scholarship ProgramOdd Fellows and Rebekahs
Association of Western Pennsylvania
Undergraduate & Graduate Scholarship Awards
Offering Multiple - $4,000 Undergraduate & $4,000 Graduate Scholarship Awards(PLEASE NOTE: These Undergraduate & Scholarship Awards are for Western Lodges only.)
The Odd Fellows and Rebekahs Association of Western Pennsylvania offers two different Scholarship Awards during the year.
The above scholarships have been brought into existence to benefit present and hopefully, future members of the Order. The objective of each is to assist any deserving applicant in securing a Degree.
PLEASE NOTE: One of the requirements for these Scholarships is that the applicant or a living family member must be a member of the I.0.0.F. or Rebekahs of Western Pennsylvania.
(Note: These scholarships are NOT to be confused with the “Pennsylvania Odd Fellow-Rebekah Scholarship Fund” which is chaired by Thomas J. McHugh, PGM.)Odd Fellows and Rebekahs Association of Western Pennsylvania
“Graduate Scholarship Awards” Sept. 1, 2024 – Nov. 30, 2024
2024 Graduate Rules: Download Scholarship Rules (PDF)
2024 Graduate Application: Download Application (PDF)
Mr. Robert Grant
Scholarship Award Chairman
40 Cypress Way
Charleroi, PA 15022-3331
Scholarships & Loans
General RequirementsScholarships and loans are made available to high school graduates who are entering an accredited 2 or 4 year institution or for study in a recognized trade school, for any course offering immediate opportunity for employment. The applicant must be a child or grandchild of a member of the order to receive the benefit. Most scholarships are competitive and awarded based on various factors as determined by a committee and spelled out in the application. Loan amounts and payback periods vary according to program. Most loans have a financial limit and the payback period usually begins when student has graduated. Some loans require a parent or guardian co-signer
Information compiled, edited & produced by
Thomas J. McHugh
Grand Master – 2004-2005
The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
1001 West Harrisburg Pike – Middletown, Pennsylvania | Directions
Copyright © 2015-2016. All rights reserved.
