CMMRF Timeline

Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation

C.M.M.R.F.

is the charity of the

General Grand Council of

Cryptic Masons, International

CMMRF Logo

Our Incorporation

March 6, 1986

The Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation, (CMMRF), was incorporated in the state of Oklahoma, driven by Most Puissant General Grand Master Ben Mandlebaum, of the General Grand Council, Cryptic Masons International.

Endowed Chair Established at IU

February 1, 1996

The CMMRF Board of Trustees agreed to fund a Chair at the Indiana University Medical Center at the cost of $1 million. The Foundation agrees to contribute $200,000/year for five years to endow the chair. As an incentive, the university offered to guarantee a 5% income on the endowment plus matching it with a 5% payout from the endowment.

Dr. Keith L. March, Inaugural Chair

February 28, 1999

Early in 1999, Keith L. March, M.D., PhD., was named the first holder of the newly endowed CMMRF Chair.

IU Endowed Chair Funded

December 1, 2000

The final $200,000 payment was made in December 2000 to fund the Chair at Indiana University.

CMMRF Lab Rebranding Strategy

May 28, 2002

The laboratory sponsored by CMMRF was rebranded as the Indiana Center for Vascular Biology and Medicine (ICVBM). This new program and the creation of an endowed chair drew more than $2,000,000 in additional funding for the program from non-Masonic sources.

$300,000 Donation in 2007

June 1, 2007

In 2007, a non-Masonic benefactor challenged CMMRF to match his $50,000 donation to the Indiana Center of Vascular Biology and Medicine. By meeting his challenge, CMMRF contributed $300,000 to ICVBM in 2007.

Single Donation Makes Big Progress

August 28, 2008

In 2008, a Cryptic Mason donated $20,000 which CMMRF matched and enabled Cryptic Masons to give $240,000 to ICVBM for research in 2008. Today, upon request, CMMRF will match $5,000 donations, up to $25,000.

ICVBM selected to join CCTRN

April 1, 2012

The IU center was tapped to join the Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network (CCTRN), funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Founding Exec. Secretary Retires

October 28, 2012

Marion K. Crum, Past Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council, Cryptic Masons of Indiana, retires from service as the first CMMRF Executive Secretary after serving almost 27 years.

CMMRF Donations Exceed $3M

December 5, 2013

After providing $200,000 in support to the Indiana University ICVBM in 2013, CMMRF had an aggregated commitment of more than $3,000,000.

Dr. Michael Murphy, Chair

July 17, 2018

Dr. Michael P. Murphy selected as the next holder of the Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation Chair.

CMMRF Donations reach $5M to fund research for ICVBM

December 31, 2019

By the end of 2019 we have cumulatively given ICVBM / IU $5 million dollars to fund research.

Marion Crum Fellowship

December 1, 2023

Established 2023

The Marion Crum Fellow in Vascular Biology: Dr. Mackenzie L. Madison

February 21, 2024

Dr. Mackenzie Madison 1st recipient

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