The Louis Claude de St. Martin Fund

Established on 27 December 2001, the Fund is designed to raise money for a wide array of esoteric endeavors ranging from academic research and translation projects, to capital funding for lodges and conferences. The Fund is established as a donor advised fund through The Luzerne Foundation, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania (See:
luzfdn.org for more details), and as such is not under the direct control of the Institute nor does any one group specifically benefit from the Fund. All grants must be approved by the Foundation's Board of Directors and be made to legally recognized nonprofit, 501 (c) 3 organizations.

In creating the Fund in this way, we guarantee its perpetual mission, and have added a layer of security in the way all monies will be distributed. Not only must proposed projects pass the needs of the advisors in terms of their contribution to the advancement of Traditional Western Esotericism, but they must also pass the legal scrutiny of the Luzerne Foundation's Board of Directors as outlined by the Internal Revenue Service.

Mission Statement
To further the study and propagation of the works of Louis Claude de St-Martin, Martines de Pasqually, Gerard Encausse, and their contemporary successors. Secondary considerations are given to 17th-20th century European and European based esoteric movements including Rosicrucianism, Esoteric Freemasonry, Elus Cohen, Templarism, and Hermeticism.

Projects Funded
(1) Seed money for conferences and seminars that are open to the public that are both academic and practical in nature, blending or giving examples that show both modern research and traditional practices.
(2) Translations of relevant texts into English that are made publicly available either in print or electronic formats for general dissemination.
(3) Capacity building grants and seed money for organizations directly related to furthering the mission or study of Martinism (or Western Esotericism in general) in some fashion.
(4) Scholarship funds for graduate level academic research directly related to one’s Master's or Doctoral thesis.
(5) Endowment or partial funding of an academic Department level chair in Modern and Contemporary Esoteric Studies at a university or college.  Esoteric Studies must be part of the title.

While many people are applauding the 'dis-occultising' of esotericism, there are few resources available to continue the work of research, translation, and publishing as has previously been done in the past by esoteric fraternities and societies. Sustained by their membership via dues and donations, these organizations created a vast body of information, but kept if for select readership and use. If the extension of esotericism is to go beyond the realm of 'private organizations' or large private collections, and into the full light of day for research, study, and application, in essence, to be 'democratized,' then each individual must take full responsibility for seeing that projects get funded that allows growth and sustainability to continue.

Without individual contributions and a sustained effort, Traditional Western Esotericism risks falling into the dustbin of history. It is up to each of us to decide if we will be supporters of its continued expansion, or are simply passing time with peculiar ideas of a forgotten age.

Thus, if the information you have received has been of value to you, remember the adage, 'As you give, so shall you receive.' Support esotericism with your tax-deductible donations to The Louis Claude de St.Martin Fund.

Make checks payable to:
The Luzerne Foundation - The Louis Claude de St.Martin Fund

and send to:
The Institute for Hermetic Studies
P.O. Box 4513
Wyoming, Pa 18644-04513

For more information on The Louis Claude de St. Martin Fund, write: info@hermeticinstitute.org.

The Institute for Hermetic Studies Donates $3,000 to The Louis Claude de St. Martin Fund

The Institute for Hermetic Studies recently donated over $3,000 to The Louis Claude de St. Martin Fund, of The Luzerne Foundation (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania).

The majority of the funds were raised through a benefit workshop sponsored by the Institute on mineral alchemy.  Jack Glass donated his time, talent, and over 40 years of experience in the field of mineral alchemy to teach the 25 participants who came from across the United States to attend the November 2nd and 3rd workshop.

Glass is world renowned for his work in plant and mineral alchemy having studied with Frater Albertus (author of The Alchemists Handbook), Jean Dubuis (founder and past president of The Philosophers of Nature), George Fenske (former alchemy instructor at Rose+Croix University), as well as teaching practical courses on plant and mineral alchemy for the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC (Rose+Croix University), and The Philosophers of Nature, worldwide.

Technical notes from the seminar can be read in the Files Section of VOXHERMES, at yahoogroups.com.
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Recent contributions brings the total amount donated since the Fund's inception less than 12 months ago to over
$4,500.

The Institute's goal is to raise a minimum of $10,000 for the Louis Claude de St. Martin Fund over the next three years.

Future seminars are planned for the spring and fall of 2004.

For more information on the Fund contact: info@hermeticinstitute.org.

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to the Fund, send it to:
The Institute for Hermetic Studies
P.O. Box 4513
Wyoming, Pennsylvania 18644-04513