Kansas Masonic Foundation

www.kansasmasonic.foundation

The Kansas Masonic Foundation (KMF) is a nonprofit organization established for the purpose of expanding charitable, educational, and scientific philanthropy in Kansas. The KMF has supported cancer research and education for more than 40 years. In addition to funding free cancer screenings over the past 15 years, the KMF supported The Kansas Masonic Cancer Research Institute and funded health initiatives like the Bob Dole Prostate Cancer Research Fund and the Oncology Nurse Navigator and Psychosocial Oncology Endowments at the University of Kansas Medical Center over the past few decades. More than 10,000 Kansans have attended the Masonic screenings over the last several years. Their remarkable success has always arisen from the "local level," thanks to the hard work of Kansas Masonic Lodges across the State. 

Kansas Masonic Service Through the Decades
A Tradition of Service

1966 - First KMF Board is formed to show that Masons believe in the brotherhood of man

1967 - First Thanksgiving Day seals campaign kicks off, raising $6,381

1968 - A student grant and loan program is developed to help deserving college students

1972 - KMF donates $5,000 for cancer research at KU Medical Center and endows a professor of oncology chair the following year

1975 - The KMF Cancer Institute is dedicated and Foundation assets increase to nearly $250,000 following a KMF pledge to refurbish the KU Medical Center Cancer Clinic and provide funds for the Center's oncology nursing care program 

1992 - KMF shifts grant funding to cancer research and, over the next 20 years, funds efforts that include the KMF chair in Cancer Research, the Bob Dole Prostate Cancer research Fund, the Mark and Bette Morris family chair in Cancer Prevention and the psychosocial oncology endowment

2001 - Kansas Masonic Cancer Research chair established

2003 - Kansas Masonic Lodges begin hosting cancer screening outreach clinics 

2004 - Roy Jensen, MD, 33-year member of Masonic Lodge 65, is named head of the Kansas Masonic Cancer Research Institute and, later, director of The University of Kansas Cancer Center

2007 - The Franklin and Beverly Gaines Professorship established and funded the Breast Cancer Prevention and Breast Cancer Survivorship Centers

2011 - In seven years, Kansas Masonic Lodges held more than 50 cancer screening clinics in 47 communities and screened more than 3,000 Kansans 

2012 - KMF Dale Hill Personalized Cancer Medicine Fund established and MCA Behavioral Health position endowed 

2012 - KMF support serves role in The University of Kansas Cancer Center's application for National Cancer Institute designation

2015 - KMF quadruples the number of free cancer screenings, offering more than 20 screenings across the state and reaching close to 2,000 Kansans in less than one year

2016 - KMF announces a $5 million pledge in support of research and education being done at MCA and its member locations

2019 - Midwest Cancer Alliance becomes Masonic Cancer Alliance in recognition of $5 million gift from the Kansas Masons to support efforts to prevent cancer and improve people's lives