The Hospital Saturday Fund
Charity Number: 1123381
Quick Information
Organization Background and Mission
The Hospital Saturday Fund is a well-established medical grant-making charity founded in 1873 by the Victorian social reformer, the Twelfth Earl of Meath. The organization was historically named because Saturday was the traditional pay-day when workers would set aside small amounts of money to contribute towards the upkeep of their local hospitals, long before the establishment of the NHS in 1948.
Today, the Hospital Saturday Fund operates as a registered charity (charity number 1123381) with a mission to provide grant funding to registered health charities, hospitals, hospices, and medical organizations for medical projects, care, research, and support of medical training. The charity is funded through surplus profits from its trading subsidiary, HSF Health Plan, which provides health cash plan schemes.
Grant-Making Activities and Funding Programs
Grant Categories
The Hospital Saturday Fund offers two main grant categories:
- Standard Grants: Up to £2,000 (or €2,364)
- Large Grants: Between £2,001 and £10,000 (or up to €11,821)
Both categories are available with no matched funding requirement.
Funding Focus Areas
Grants can be used to support:
- Capital projects
- Hospice/respite care
- Medical care
- Medical projects
- Medical training
- Research
- Running costs (primarily for Standard Grants)
Note: Large Grants tend to be awarded for specific projects, research, or equipment rather than running costs.
Financial Capacity
The charity demonstrates significant grant-making capacity with total charitable expenditure of £28,541,333 for the year ended 31 December 2022.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible Organizations
- Registered medical health charities
- Hospices
- Hospitals
- Medical clinics
- Medical organizations with health objectives
Eligible Individuals
- Individuals with medical conditions or disabilities requiring specialized equipment or forms of treatment
Geographic Coverage
- United Kingdom
- Republic of Ireland
- Channel Islands
- Isle of Man
- Malta
Application Process and Deadlines
Application Method
- Applications must be submitted online only
- Paper and letter applications are not accepted
- Guidelines and application forms are available on the Hospital Saturday Fund website
Application Deadlines
The fund operates quarterly grant meetings with four application deadlines per year. For 2024, the remaining deadlines were:
Standard Grants (up to £2,000):
- Wednesday 10th July 2024
- Monday 23rd September 2024
Large Grants (£2,001-£10,000):
- Tuesday 27th August 2024
- Monday 2nd December 2024
Application Process
- Review Frequently Asked Questions
- Download and read Grant Application Guidelines
- Complete online application form
- Submit by deadline date
- Grant meetings held quarterly
- All applicants receive email notification of results
Strategic Priorities
The Hospital Saturday Fund maintains a clear strategic focus on supporting healthcare access and medical advancement across its coverage areas. Recent activities demonstrate priorities in:
- Supporting medical charities across the UK and Ireland through regular reception events
- Expanding reach to new territories (recent debut in Malta with €30,000 in grants)
- Maintaining historical mission while adapting to modern healthcare needs
- Providing accessible funding with no matched funding requirements
Success Factors for Applicants
For Organizations
- Must be registered charities with clear medical/health objectives
- Applications for Large Grants should focus on specific projects, research, or equipment purchases
- Standard Grants more suitable for running costs and smaller projects
- Strong preference for applications that demonstrate clear medical benefit
For Individuals
- Must demonstrate need for specialized equipment or treatment
- Applications should clearly outline medical condition or disability
- Focus on equipment or treatment that will provide measurable health improvement
Application Tips
- Review all guidance documents thoroughly before applying
- Ensure eligibility criteria are clearly met
- Submit applications well before deadline dates
- Provide clear, specific information about medical objectives and outcomes
Contact Information
Main UK Office (Charity Headquarters):
The Hospital Saturday Fund
24 Upper Ground
London SE1 9PD
Phone: 020 7202 1365 (charity enquiries)
Email: charity@hsf.eu.com
Website: www.hospitalsaturdayfund.org
Ireland Office:
5 Westgate Business Park
Kilrush Road
Ennis, Co. Clare
Phone: 0818 473 473 (claims), 0818 451 451 (general enquiries)
Email: customer@hsf.ie
Key Takeaways
- Established Track Record: Operating since 1873 with significant annual charitable expenditure (£28+ million)
- Accessible Funding: No matched funding requirements for either grant category
- Regular Opportunities: Quarterly application deadlines provide multiple opportunities per year
- Geographic Reach: Covers UK, Ireland, and associated territories including Malta
- Dual Focus: Supports both organizations and individuals with medical needs
- Online Process: Streamlined digital application process with clear guidelines
- Specific Project Preference: Large Grants favor specific projects over general running costs
References
- Hospital Saturday Fund Official Website: https://hospitalsaturdayfund.org/
- Charity Commission Register: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1123381
- Hospital Saturday Fund Grant Application Information: https://hospitalsaturdayfund.org/apply-for-a-grant/
- Hospital Saturday Fund About Us: https://hospitalsaturdayfund.org/about-us/
- Hospital Saturday Fund Contact Information: https://hospitalsaturdayfund.org/contact-us/
- Various funding directory listings and charity information sources accessed through web search