Masonic Samaritan Fund
The Masonic Samaritan Fund (MSF) is a medical charity associated with English Freemasonry. Established in 1990 as the New Masonic Samaritan Fund, it supported Freemasons and specified family members with health and care needs. Its work became part of the Masonic Charitable Foundation's combined provision in 2016, while the Fund remained a separately registered charity.[1][2][3]
Background and purpose
The Royal Masonic Hospital had an earlier Samaritan Fund to help patients unable to pay for treatment. That hospital fund belongs to the institution's earlier history and should be distinguished from the national charity established in 1990.[4][1]
The Charity Commission describes MSF's purposes as providing medical help, treatment, care and advice for Freemasons and eligible relatives, including dependants of deceased members. It identifies the incorporated charity, number 1130424, as taking over the activities of the earlier unincorporated body, number 1001298.[2]
Forms of assistance and research
The Fund's registered objects cover help with the costs of medical and dental treatment, respite care and medical equipment. They also permit the commissioning or funding of research and publication of its useful results where benefit to the defined beneficiaries is anticipated. Research funding therefore formed part of its remit alongside grants for individual care.[5]
In 2015, its twenty-fifth anniversary, MSF launched a £1 million Silver Jubilee Research Fund. The Brain Tumour Charity's contemporary account describes a regional nomination process involving Freemasons and their widows and its own shortlisted proposal for research at University College London.[6] The Fund's report for the year ending 31 March 2016 subsequently recorded thirteen medical research grants totalling £1.13 million, after the trustees increased the anniversary research budget.[7]
Fundraising and the MCF
Provincial festivals raised money for MSF. The MCF's Warwickshire appeal booklet records £3.2 million raised by that province's 2012 festival. The same booklet describes the MCF taking over the work of the four central Masonic charities following its launch in April 2016.[3]
This operational consolidation should be distinguished from the legal existence of the Fund. Its Charity Commission entry still reports separately for the year ending 31 March 2025.[2] Current information about support is published by the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which operates as The Freemasons' Charity.[8]
Related articles
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Provincial Grand Lodge of Buckinghamshire, The History of Freemasonry, entry for 1990.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Charity Commission for England and Wales, Masonic Samaritan Fund, charity number 1130424, overview reporting to 31 March 2025. Accessed 30 September 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Masonic Charitable Foundation, Warwickshire 2023 Festival Appeal, launch booklet, foreword.
- ↑ Museum of Freemasonry, Royal Masonic Hospital archive collection, AIM25, reference GBR 1991 RMH, account of the post-war Hospital and Nursing Home.
- ↑ Charity Commission for England and Wales, Masonic Samaritan Fund: full register entry, charitable objects. Accessed 2 October 2026.
- ↑ The Brain Tumour Charity, The Brain Tumour Charity shortlisted for a £100K grant from the Masonic Samaritan Fund, 23 June 2015.
- ↑ Masonic Samaritan Fund, Annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2016, p. 5.
- ↑ The Freemasons' Charity, official website, organisational statement and support links. Accessed 30 September 2026.
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