Dai Vernon Foundation

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Dai Vernon Foundation

Offering support, recognition, educational opportunities and financial aid during times of hardship to serious performers and students of the art of magic.
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We began as the Dai Vernon Fund, a non-profit arm of the AMA, established via a bequest received from the estate of the renowned Close-up Magician Dai Vernon, after his 1992 death. The original purpose of the bequest was to fund the cash grant that accompanies the Close-up Award presented at the AMA’s annual awards show. In time others began to donate to the fund, and to hold fundraisers in suppor

t of it; for example, the AMA’s annual Soapy Smith night, and the donation of objects sold at the semi-annual AMA swap meet. The Fund’s activities expanded to include small cash grants given to aid magicians in financial or health trouble. In recent years, the decision was made to incorporate as a California non-profit organization so that we could expand both our educational and charitable activities, as well as help maximize our fund-raising efforts. Dai Vernon was an outspoken advocate of educational and skill-building opportunities for young magicians, and we hope to expand our offerings in this area through such projects as establishing a center for advanced studies in stage magic to conduct workshops, providing mentors to help magicians with their technique, staging, and performance, and facilitating access to a world-class magic research library. We also intend to set up programs to recognize and reward innovations in magic. At the same time, we wish to continue our charitable activities towards magicians in need, in accordance with the wishes of later bequests and donations.

05/14/2026

Inspired by legendary close-up magician Dai Vernon, the Dai Vernon Foundation is the only nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization providing direct support to magicians in financial hardship, and offering educational grants to young magicians honing their craft beyond the walls of The Magic Castle.

Over the last few years, the Dai Vernon Foundation has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to members of the magic community for medical bills, emergency expenses, and other unexpected costs, and in educational grants.

But what makes the foundation work is you. This magician’s benevolent fund needs your help. Magicians around the world bring us wonder and amazement and when they need help, you can be there for them.

For more information or to make a donation, please visit: https://www.daivernonfoundation.org/

05/02/2026

“I cannot begin to thank you enough for your generosity and support in [giving me with this educational grant]. I know this experience will provide me with connections and opportunities that will last a lifetime. I am beyond grateful to the Foundation for believing in me and helping me to grow as a magician. Your grant truly makes a difference for my family. I will be excited to report on my growth after camp. I will be forever thankful to the Foundation for choosing me. Thank you so much again!”
— a grateful junior magician after recently receiving an educational grant from the Dai Vernon Foundation

02/27/2026

Help Support the Dai Vernon Foundation!

Inspired by legendary close-up magician Dai Vernon, the Dai Vernon Foundation is the only nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization providing direct support to magical entertainers experiencing financial hardship, and offering educational opportunities to young magicians honing their craft beyond the walls of The Magic Castle.

Since its inception in 1992, the Dai Vernon Foundation has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to the magic community for medical bills, emergency expenses, and other unexpected costs.

But what makes them truly extraordinary is you: their donors.

For more information or to make a difference today, please visit:
https://www.daivernonfoundation.org/

12/19/2025

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

12/08/2025

Are you a magician going through a temporary rough spot? A benevolent fund for magicians in need, the Dai Vernon Foundation is here for you, just like the magic community was there for Dai Vernon himself a number of times throughout his life when he struggled financially. Can we help with some food assistance this holiday? (Requests for help are strictly confidential.)

12/07/2025

This interview took place at the Magic Castle, Hollywood, California, on Dai Vernon`s 80th Birthday, June 11, 1974.The California artist Tony Delap brought D...

12/04/2025

Are you a magician going through a temporary rough spot? Can we help with some food assistance this holiday? Please let us know, the Dai Vernon Foundation is here for you, just like the magic community helped out Dai Vernon himself a number of times throughout his life when he struggled financially. (Requests for help are strictly confidential.)

12/03/2025

Big thanks to Dai Vernon Foundation supporters Benjamin Budzak and Allen Gittelson for pitching in today and helping sort, re-box, and organize some 40 boxes of magic and magic books, and more than a dozen boxes of display and other merchandising materials used at our swap meets and casino night fundraisers. All in preparation for the Foundation’s upcoming storage sale on January 11. Thanks guys!

12/01/2025

Save the Date: The Dai Vernon Foundation presents: the DVF Storage Sale

Sunday, January 11, 2026, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Milt Larsen Inner Circle

Free To Attend, All AMA Members Welcome

The Dai Vernon Foundation is holding a special storage sale! Hundreds of donated magic effects from numerous estates (many items brand new in their original packaging!) plus a large selection of classic and modern magic books and DVDs, as well as some larger stage illusions, will be available at great prices.

Every purchase directly supports our work helping magicians in need, and helps nurture the next generation of magicians through the educational grants we provide. Dai Vernon himself was assisted financially by the magic community a number of times in his life when he was in financial need, and by helping us move the magic that the Foundation has in storage, you continue this philanthropic tradition in our community. See you there!

Questions? Would you like to attend the storage sale but aren’t a member of the Academy of Magical Arts?Email Dave Egan, DVF President, at [email protected]

Pictured: Margery Nelson with the generous donation of the great William Link’s collection of magic tricks and books recently donated to the Dai Vernon Foundation to support magicians in need and future stars of magic. William Link was the prolific co-creator, writer and producer of numerous movies and TV shows, such as Colombo, Murder She Wrote, Blacke’s Magic, and the Broadway musical Merlin starring Doug Henning. He was a life member of The Magic Castle.

Address

Studio City, CA
91602

Website

http://daivernonfoundation.org/

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