Bma Charities Trust Fund

Charity Number: 219102

Annual Expenditure: £0.3M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £311,055 (2024)
  • Total Expenditure: £300,075 (2024)
  • Grants Made (2023): 108 individual grants
  • Decision Time: Approximately 6 weeks
  • Grant Range: Varies by program (up to £3,000 for second degree medical students)
  • Geographic Focus: England and Wales (registered jurisdiction)
  • Application Method: Rolling basis (except second degree applications: November to mid-January)

Contact Details

Address: BMA House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JP

Phone: 03330 900924

Email: info@bmacharities.org.uk

Website: https://bmacharities.org.uk/

Overview

BMA Charities Trust Fund (Charity Number 219102) was established by Trust Deed in 1925 as an unincorporated charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. The charity provides financial assistance to doctors and their dependents facing financial crisis, refugee doctors seeking to practice in the UK, and medical students in need. With annual income of £311,055 in 2024, the charity operates independently from the British Medical Association, meaning BMA membership is not required to apply. In 2023, the charity made 108 grants to individuals, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to supporting the medical profession during times of financial hardship. The charity operates through multiple funds including the Hastings Fund, which made grants totaling £70,687 to 54 beneficiaries in 2023, and works alongside The Dain Fund (a separate registered charity, number 313108) which specifically supports the education of doctors' children.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

BMA Charities Trust Fund offers the following programs:

  • Second Degree Medical Student Grants: Up to £3,000 per academic year for medical students taking medicine as a second degree (applications only accepted November to mid-January annually)
  • Emergency Student Grants: One-off grants for medical students in immediate and serious financial need (rolling applications)
  • Unemployed Doctor Support: One-off grants for essential items including utility bills, travel, and disability equipment (rolling applications)
  • Working Doctor Support: Assistance with GMC retention fees and professional indemnity insurance for doctors in financial hardship (rolling applications)
  • Refugee Doctor Support: Grants to cover PLAB exam costs and GMC registration fees (the fund paid GMC registration fees to 17 doctors in 2023; rolling applications)

The Dain Fund (separate charity):

  • Educational support for doctors' children including school clothing, trips, IT equipment, disability equipment, and occasionally short-term school fees

Priority Areas

BMA Charities focuses on:

  • Doctors and their dependents experiencing financial crisis
  • Medical students unable to receive statutory grants who need assistance
  • Refugee and asylum-seeking doctors navigating UK medical qualification requirements
  • Supporting the medical workforce by preventing dropout due to financial difficulties
  • One-off grants for essential items rather than ongoing lifestyle support

What They Don't Fund

The charity explicitly does not provide:

  • General awards for “living costs” or lifestyle maintenance
  • Debt repayment
  • Private medical expenses
  • Legal fees
  • Career development costs
  • Mortgages
  • Childcare costs
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Governance and Leadership

The BMA Charities Trust Fund is managed by a board of ten trustees, of whom four are appointed ex officio, including the Chair of the Education Trust Fund. As of the 2021 annual report, trustees included Dr L Patel (BMA Representative Body member), Dr T Pickersgill (BMA Treasurer), and Dr G Ralston (Chairman of the Dain Fund).

The charity emphasizes that its board comprises “both working and retired doctors who have practised in hospital settings and General Practice,” bringing direct understanding of the profession's pressures and daily demands. Most trustees are medically trained, equipping them well to serve on the board of a medical benevolent fund.

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity. New trustees receive guidelines on their duties, copies of governing documents, and a governance framework and code of conduct. Trustees are offered relevant training sessions throughout the year, both online and in person.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted through an online application process available on the BMA Charities website (https://bmacharities.org.uk). Applicants can take an online eligibility assessment to determine if they qualify for support.

Application Requirements:

  • Completed application form
  • Financial information demonstrating financial crisis and/or low income
  • Contact details of two referees

Application Timing:

  • For doctors and most medical students: Applications accepted all year round on a rolling basis
  • For second degree medical students applying for annual grants: Applications only accepted from November to mid-January each year, with the deadline typically around January 16

Important Note: You do not need to be a BMA member to apply. BMA Charities is independent of the British Medical Association.

Decision Timeline

The process takes approximately six weeks from receipt of a fully completed application. Applicants should ensure all required documentation and referee information is submitted to avoid delays.

Success Rates

In 2023, BMA Charities made 108 individual grants (compared to 92 in 2022), representing an increase in support provided. No institutional grants were made in 2023.

The Hastings Fund component specifically provided grants totaling £70,687 to 54 beneficiaries in 2023.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants was not available in public sources. Applicants should contact BMA Charities directly for guidance on reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Based on BMA Charities' stated criteria and approach:

Demonstrate Clear Financial Need: Applicants must be able to show they are in financial crisis and/or on a low income. Provide comprehensive financial information as requested in the application.

Provide Complete Documentation: Applications with all required information and referee details are processed more quickly. The six-week timeline begins only when a “fully completed application” is received.

Focus on Essential Items: The charity emphasizes it does not maintain lifestyles but provides “one-off grants for essential items.” Frame requests around genuine necessities rather than general living costs.

Meet Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must “hold a degree in medicine or be studying towards one” to qualify for support.

Understand the Charity's Mission: BMA Charities aims to prevent medical professionals from leaving the profession due to financial hardship and helps refugee doctors avoid underemployment. Applications that align with these strategic goals may be particularly compelling.

Use Available Resources: For those experiencing money management difficulties, BMA Charities also offers financial counseling services, which may strengthen an application by demonstrating proactive financial planning.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No BMA membership required: The charity is independent of the British Medical Association, so all eligible doctors and medical students can apply regardless of membership status
  • Rolling applications for most programs: Except for second degree annual grants, applications are accepted year-round, allowing flexibility in timing
  • Plan for six-week timeline: From submission of a complete application to decision takes approximately six weeks
  • Focus on essential needs: Frame requests around one-off essential items rather than ongoing support or lifestyle maintenance
  • Complete applications process faster: Ensure all financial information and two referee contacts are provided to avoid delays
  • Growing support: The charity increased grants from 92 (2022) to 108 (2023), indicating expanding capacity to help
  • Refugee doctor support is a priority: With 17 doctors receiving GMC registration fee support in 2023, this remains an active focus area

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References

All sources.