The Magic Endowment Fund (MEF) is committed to supporting magicians and the broader magic community through two key grant programs: the MEF Grant Program and the Houdini Fund for Medical Assistance. These grants provide critical financial aid to magicians, allied performers, and organizations dedicated to advancing the art of magic.
MEF Grant Program
The General Grant Program funds initiatives that promote and preserve the art of magic, support magicians’ professional growth, and expand magic’s impact in communities worldwide. Grants are awarded to individuals, organizations, and projects that align with MEF’s mission, including:
• Scholarships & Education – Financial aid for aspiring magicians to attend college or magic training programs, including Tannen’s Magic Camp and other educational initiatives.
• Magic History & Research – Support for books, films, exhibits, and archival projects that document and preserve the legacy of magic.
• Community Programs – Initiatives that bring magic into hospitals, schools, and underserved communities, creating meaningful experiences for audiences of all ages.
Each application is carefully evaluated by trustees based on its alignment with MEF’s mission, potential impact, available resources, and financial need.
Houdini Fund for Medical Assistance
The Houdini Fund has its roots in Harry Houdini’s early efforts to provide financial assistance to magicians in need. Over the years, this fund has flourished thanks to the ongoing support of S.A.M. members and generous donors. Recognizing the importance of sustaining this vital resource, MEF trustees invest contributions, allowing the fund’s principal to grow and expand its ability to help.
Today, the Houdini Fund offers confidential grants to magicians and allied performers—such as clowns, ventriloquists, face painters, storytellers, jugglers, and stilt walkers—who are facing financial challenges due to illness or injury. These grants are gifts, not loans, and are available to both S.A.M. members and non-members. While insurance or Medicare often cover primary medical expenses, the Houdini Fund helps bridge the gap, covering out-of-pocket costs like co-pays, medications, wheelchairs, oxygen, and other essentials.
Applications to this fund can be made at any time and are reviewed in confidence by a small subset of trustees.