BEDFORD FAMILY SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FUND

MISSION STATEMENT
To create, enhance and support educational opportunities for children and/or young adults

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.

WHAT GRANT FUNDS MAY BE USED FOR
The Bedford Family Social Responsibility Fund supports organizations that provide direct or supplemental educational opportunities. As a result the Fund supports a wide range of programs.

WHAT GRANT FUNDS MAY NOT BE USED FOR
• Endowment funding
• Indirect/overhead or administrative expenses
• Capital projects
• Reduction of debt or operating loss
• Annual campaign or fundraising

ELIGIBILITY
• 501(c)(3) organization
• Located in and serving one or more of the following communities: Westport, Weston, Bridgeport, Fairfield, Norwalk and Wilton
• Serving children and/or young adults

2023 GRANT IMPORTANT DATES

Between JULY 1 – SEPT 9, 2023
Preliminary Grant Application is due September 9, 2023

Preliminary Applications accepted between JULY 1 – SEPT 9, 2023, final applications by invitation only.
Preliminary Grant Application due by September 9, 2023. Preliminary applications are only accepted via the form below; this pdf is for your review; as an aid to organizing your application before submitting it using the form below.

OCT 10, 2023
Preliminary Notification.
Applicant’s organizations will be notified whether or not they have been selected to complete the Final Grant Application.

OCT 31, 2023
Final Grant Application.
For those Applicants selected to continue to the next step, the full Connecticut Common Grant Application Form and any related information must be submitted to bfsrf@westporty.org. Please combine the application form and related information into one file.

OCT 31 – NOV 30, 2023
Review and Site Visits.
The evaluation committee will review all applications and contact Applicants to schedule site visits. The objective of the site visit is to complete the due diligence review and investigate and resolve any final questions.

DEC 4 – 8, 2023
Final Grant Notification.

DEC 12, 2023 | 5:00 pm
Final Grant Awards will be presented.