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The Scottish Rite.
Who actually runs it?

Conflicts of interest and millions of taxpayer dollars for the private Collingswood Foundation for the Arts.

Exterior view of the historic Scottish Rite Auditorium building in Collingswood

Most people think the Borough runs the Scottish Rite.
It doesn’t.

The private nonprofit Collingswood Foundation for the Arts runs the Scottish Rite. The Foundation is not part of Borough government.

Scottish Rite owned by Freemasons
(Excelsior Consistory)
↓ Lease for $1/year
Borough of Collingswood
↓ Lease for $1/year
Collingswood Foundation for the Arts
Manages the Scottish Rite
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More than

$9,000,000

of Borough money has been transferred or loaned to the Foundation.

Ordinance No. 1322 (Enacted August 4, 2003) THE BOROUGH OF COLLINGSWOOD IN THE COUNTY OF CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY Ordinance No. 1322 BOND ORDINANCE OF THE BOROUGH OF COLLINGSWOOD... PROVIDING FOR THE LOANS TO A REDEVELOPER FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO SCOTTISH RITE AUDITORIUM... BOROUGH Borrows $5,000,000 ↓ Loans $5,000,000 REDEVELOPER Foundation for the Arts

Most loans include...

✅ Written agreement
✅ Due dates
✅ Repayment schedule
✅ Interest terms

❌ Borough audits show NO repayment agreement or schedule for these loans.

BOROUGH OF COLLINGSWOOD NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017NOTE 23: LOAN TO REDEVELOPER On August 4, 2003, the Borough of Collingswood adopted Bond Ordinance 1322 providing for a $5,000,000.00 loan to a redeveloper, Collingswood Foundation for the Arts, a New Jersey non-profit corporation, for the purpose of renovations of the Scottish Rite Auditorium as a performing arts and community theater center. This loan was to the Collingswood Foundation for the Arts, a New Jersey non-profit corporation, for the purpose of renovations of the Scottish Rite Auditorium as a performing arts and community theater center. The amount owed to the Borough of Collingswood as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, is $4,992,466.33 and $4,992,466.33, respectively. No payment plan has been established as of the date of the audit. Report of Audit Year Ended December 31, 2018, Page 80

The Foundation currently owes over $6,400,000 to the Borough.

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Key officials have been involved on both sides.

1999
Foundation incorporated by James Maley, Louis Cappelli, and Joan Leonard as a private nonprofit.
1999-2026
Maley, Cappelli, and Leonard served as both Commissioners and Foundation Trustees for some or all of this time.
2003
Maley, Cappelli, and Leonard loaned $5,000,000 of Borough money to their private Foundation.
2003-2026
Borough Commissioners have authorized over $9,000,000 of transfers or loans to the Foundation.

N.J.S.A. 40A:9-22.5

No local government officer or employee shall act in his official capacity in any matter where he has a direct or indirect financial or personal involvement that might reasonably be expected to impair his objectivity or independence of judgment.

The Foundation’s governance has been called into question.

2020
The Foundation’s last non-profit filing with the NJ DCA is for 2020. The Foundation is presently deemed non-compliant by NJ DCA.
2024
IRS revokes the Foundation’s federal tax exempt status.
2024
Employment discrimination lawsuit filed against the Foundation.
2026
Electricians sue the Foundation alleging non-payment for completed work.

But Borough funding continues.

PARKE-TRUST OTH TRUST OTHER - PARKE BANK 6336 02/09/26 C0119 COLLS FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS 18,000.00 6337 03/02/26 AMAZON AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES 746.24 6338 03/02/26 HO009 HOME DEPOT COMMERCIAL ACCT PRG 413.81 Resolution 2026-85, Adopted March 2, 2026
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Why does this matter?

The private Foundation controls the Scottish Rite and all of the revenue from events hosted there.
Yet, Collingswood taxpayers foot the bill.

In 2026, Commissioner Maley voted against the 2026 municipal budget, opposing the transfer of $222,500 of PILOT revenue to support Collingswood schools.

Yet, Maley voted for $237,345.28 in payments to his Foundation in 2025, and his Foundation still owes over $6,400,000 with no repayment plan or schedule on record.

In 2025, Maley sued the Borough to block support for Collingswood firefighters and EMS, alleging a conflict of interest on the part of Mayor Solano-Ward.

Yet, what conflicts of interest are being ignored by Maley as he approves payments to his private Foundation?

Where is all of the revenue from the Scottish Rite going?

These are our tax dollars.

Demand transparency.

Seek accountability.

Welcome to Historic Collingswood sign with American flags

All of the documents and sources are public.
Read them here.

http://colls.info