WHO WE ARE
Daughters of the Nile is an international fraternal organization for women 18 years or older, who are related by birth or marriage to a Shriner, Master Mason, or Daughter of the Nile, or is a majority member in Good Standing of a Masonic-related organization for girls; or who was a patient, with or without Shrine or Masonic relationship, at a Shriners Hospital for Children®. Founded in Seattle, Washington in 1913, Daughters of the Nile members total 25,000 in 136 cities throughout the United States and Canada. The members are proud of their long association with Shriners International and their continuing support of Shriners Hospitals for Children®.
Daughters of the Nile maintains two permanent endowment funds to benefit Shriners Hospital for Children®. In the United States, the Daughters of the Nile Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity. In Canada, the Supreme Temple administers the Canadian Foundation.
Shriners Hospitals for Children® is a network of 22 hospitals throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico that are renowned for providing the highest quality care to children with neuromusculoskeletal conditions, burn injuries and other special healthcare needs within a compassionate, family-centered and collaborative care environment; providing for the education of physicians and other healthcare professionals; and conducting research to discover new knowledge that improves the quality of care and quality of life of children and families. This mission is carried out without regard to race, creed, sex or sect, disability, national origin or ability of a patient or family to pay.
WHAT WE DO
Through the Daughters of the Nile Foundation and Canadian Foundation, Daughters of the Nile contribute over $2 million dollars annually to Shriners Hospitals for Children® to be used for the medical care and rehabilitation of children. Since 1924, Daughters of the Nile have contributed more than $56 million, second only to the Shriners themselves.
In recognition of monetary contributions by Daughters of the Nile, there are gold plaques, each representing $1 million, or engraved donor name recognition on the philanthropic walls of all 22 hospitals. Many hospitals have two gold plaques, several hospitals have three, and the Canadian hospital has four. Each year the members of Daughters of the Nile give generously of their time and talents to the hospitals by providing more than 150,000 volunteer hours at the Shriners Hospitals for Children®. In addition, they sew clothing and make quilts, and provide toys, books, games and other educational and recreational items for the children’s use, with an annual value of donated items in excess of $1,000,000.