Hospital Saturday Fund

Background

The Twelfth Earl of Meath established The Hospital Saturday Fund, a registered charity, in 1873 at a time when there was very little government aid for people in need of health care. The fund was named “Saturday” because this was the day when most people were normally paid. Every Saturday, workers put aside small amounts of money to contribute towards the upkeep of their local hospitals.

Objectives of Fund

The Hospital Saturday Fund provides grant funding to registered health charities such as hospitals, hospices and medical organisations for medical projects, care, research or support of medical training taking place in the United Kingdom.

Value Notes

There are two levels of awards: 

• Standard Grants of £2,000 or €3,000

• Larger Grants of up to £10,000 or €13,500

Match Funding Restrictions

Match funding is not a stipulated requirement.

Who Can Apply

Applications will be accepted from registered charities with medical/health objectives, hospices and medical organisations based and operating within the UK or the Republic of Ireland.

Location

United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, the Republic of Ireland, Malta

Restrictions

The following are not eligible for funding: 

• Overseas projects.

• Organisations carrying out non-medically related activities.

• Charitable projects outside the UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, Republic of Ireland.

• Organisations that are not registered with one of following: 

  • Charity Commission for England and Wales

  • HM Revenue & Customs

  • Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator

  • Charity Commission for Northern Ireland

  • The Isle of Man General Registry

  • The appropriate regulatory body in the Channel Island

  • Revenue Commissioners in Ireland

• Donations towards general fund raising appeals or requests.

Eligible Expenditure

Funding can assist with medical projects, capital projects, medical care or research, hospice/respite care, medical training and running costs. 

Large Grants are awarded for specific projects, research or equipment rather than running costs. 

For UK NHS hospitals only, applications will normally be accepted for projects only, the application to detail the scope of the project with supporting documentation, the amount requested and a copy of the hospital’s Annual Report (or the hospital’s related charity raising funds for the project).

How To Apply

The Grant Making Committee meets quarterly. Applications should be submitted online by close of business on the deadline date. 

The 2026 deadlines for: 

• Standard grant applications are 6 January, 13 April, 14 July, 8 October 2026, and 5 January 2027

• Large grant applications are 16 March, 16 June, 10 September, and 2 December 2026.

Guidelines and an online application form are available on the HSF website. Paper and letter applications will not be accepted. 

All applicants will receive an email indicating the result of their application as soon as possible after the relevant Grant Making Committee. 

Contact the Hospital Saturday Fund for further information.