BEDFORD FAMILY SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FUND

MISSION STATEMENT

The Bedford Family Social Responsibility Fund, established in honor of Ruth T. Bedford, supports nonprofit organizations that expand access to high-quality educational and enrichment opportunities for children and young adults in Westport and the surrounding communities.

Through this work, the Westport Weston Family YMCA carries forward Ruth Bedford’s legacy by investing in programs that remove barriers, strengthen academic and personal growth, and create lasting pathways to opportunity.

BACKGROUND
In March of 2015, the Westport Weston Family YMCA received a very generous gift from the estate of Ruth T. Bedford. Ms. Bedford, a YMCA trustee emeritus, a philanthropist, and a strong advocate for the YMCA continued the family legacy with her gift. Her grandfather, Edward T. Bedford, established the first Westport YMCA in 1923. In 1944, Edward’s son, Frederick T. Bedford and his wife (Ruth’s parents) provided the funding that made it possible to buy Camp Mahackeno, the YMCA’s summer day camp where the current facility is located. Ms. Bedford was instrumental in helping the YMCA to renovate and expand its original downtown Westport location during the 1980s. Ms. Bedford’s gift will allow the YMCA to be a leader in the community and change lives for the next 100 years.

In 2015, the YMCA Board of Trustees established the Bedford Family Social Responsibility Fund (the “Fund”) to give back to the community and carry forward the legacy of Ruth Bedford. The initial endowment of the Fund was $5 million and earnings from this endowment will support one-year grants to one or more local programs, which will be selected through an annual grant process.

Today, the Fund focuses on supporting nonprofit organizations that provide educational and enrichment opportunities for children and young adults, continuing Ruth Bedford’s belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and reach their full potential.

FUNDING PRIORITIES

The Bedford Family Social Responsibility Fund prioritizes programs that:

• Provide direct educational support (e.g., academic enrichment, tutoring, college or career readiness)
• Expand access to enrichment opportunities (e.g., arts, leadership, extracurricular learning)
• Serve children and young adults facing barriers to access
• Demonstrate clear, measurable outcomes and impact

ELIGIBLE USES OF GRANT FUNDS

Grant funding may be used for:

• Programmatic expenses tied to educational and enrichment opportunities
• Expansion or enhancement of existing programs
• New initiatives aligned with BFSRF priorities

GRANT FUNDING MAY NOT BE USED FOR:

• Endowment funding
• General overhead not directly tied to program delivery
• Capital projects
• Debt reduction or operating deficits
• Annual campaigns or fundraising

ELIGIBILITY

Organizations must:

• Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
• Provide direct or supplemental educational opportunities for children and/or young adults
• Serve Westport, Weston, Bridgeport, Fairfield, Norwalk, and/or Wilton

2026 GRANT APPLICATION

The Bedford Family Social Responsibility Fund encourages both past recipients and new applicants to apply. Before beginning, please read through the entire application to ensure you’re prepared to provide all requested information.

KEY DATES:

• 2026 Grant Cycle
  • September 8, 2026 – RFP Released
  • September 30, 2026 – Applications Due
  • November 2026 – Grant Notifications
  • December 3, 2026 – Awards Ceremony

*Check Back for 2026 Application Materials*

All submissions will be carefully reviewed by the evaluation committee.

For additional information or to submit supporting documentation, please contact bfsrf@westporty.org.

Thank you for your interest in carrying forward Ruth Bedford’s vision by making a lasting impact in the lives of youth and families in our community.