Bedford Community Foundation

PRESS RELEASE

The Bedford Community Foundation announced that the Foundation granted scholarships in the amount of $13,300, including $3100 in renewal scholarships, to Bedford Township area students pursuing post high school education. The following have been awarded scholarships from scholarship funds managed by the Foundation. Seniors from Bedford Public High School were awarded their scholarships at the Bedford High School Academic Awards night on May 12, 2010. A senior from Ida High School was awarded a scholarship and was recognized on Thursday, May 20th at Ida High School.

Josh Miller was granted a $1,500 scholarship from the Charles and Lucille Bates Scholarship Funds.
Cody Pollins was awarded $1,200 scholarship from the Ralph Lawn Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Christian Holler was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Charles & E. Lucille Bates Scholarship Fund.
Cassidy L. Tompkins was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Charles & E. Lucille Bates Scholarship Fund.
Stephanie Hylinski was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Charles & E. Lucille Bates Scholarship Fund.
Allan Sulier was awarded $500 scholarships from the Alan and Betty Bates Scholarship Fund and Charles A. & Mary Jane Scheltema Scholarship Fund.
Ashlynn Herschberger was awarded $500 scholarships from the Dr. Herbert S. Moyer Scholarship Fund and a $500 scholarship from the Dr. Robert C. and Barbara J. Layman Scholarship Fund.
Malachi Schuster was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Charles & E. Lucille Bates Scholarship Fund.
Elizabeth Dickey was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Sumner and Ruth Jones Scholarship Fund.
Sean Miller was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Charles & E. Lucille Bates Scholarship Fund.
Matthew A. Dodds (Ida High School) was awarded a $300 scholarship from Michael J. Rawlings Scholarship Fund, $500 from Francis E. and Doris H. Wood Scholarship Fund and $200 from the Bedford Business Association Scholarship Fund.
Kayla Strouse was awarded a $200 scholarship from the Sumner and Ruth Jones Scholarship Fund.
Sarah Sawtell also received a $200 scholarship from the Frances E. and Doris H. Wood Scholarship Fund.
Steven Hall, Heather Erdriann, Elsie Hartnup, Kelsey Bloom, Courtney Loe and Ashley Romijn all received a $200 scholarship from the Lulu Pickard Whiting Scholarship fund.




	2010 Scholarship Winners 2009 Scholarship Winners 2008 Scholarship Winners

The Bedford Community Foundation is a public foundation actively serving the Bedford Township Community as a fund developer, fund manager and grant maker. The Foundation responds to community needs as the needs arise. While there is a focus on granting scholarships to students in post high school education pursuits, grants are also made to charitable organizations serving residents in Bedford Township and the surrounding area in the areas of health, human services, economic development, the arts, education and civic affairs. The Foundation is managed by a volunteer board with members having experience in finance, marketing and administration. All members of the volunteer board are local residents. A donor may make a gift, bequest or donation of any size to the Foundation for the benefit of the community.

* * * 2010 SCHOLARSHIP INFO * * *

The Bedford Community Foundation intends to award at least five and perhaps as many as 10 scholarships in the amount between $500 and $1000 to worthy members of the senior class of Bedford Public Schools, Ida Public Schools, and/or State Line Christian Schools for use in higher education or technical education programs. Additionally, graduates of either of these schools or graduates of local high schools already in higher education or technical education programs whose parents live in Bedford Township shall also be eligible to apply for scholarships. Please advise members of the senior class and graduates of the opportunity to be awarded these scholarships.

The awards will be presented at the annual awards ceremony held at the Bedford Public Schools High School and/or at an appropriate ceremony at State Line Christian Schools; therefore, the Foundation would appreciate return of completed Applications with letters of recommendation and transcripts of grades before April 5, 2010 at the address of the Foundation.

* * * * * * * * PRESS RELEASE * * * * * * * *

YOU MAKE IT POSSIBLE
published in Bedford Now March issue

The Bedford Community Foundation is a private charitable organization created by donors of our community to enrich the quality of life for individuals, families and organizations in our community.

Every year, the Bedford Community Foundation benefits from the generosity of people in the community. Their reasons for giving vary as widely as their interests and financial circumstances. What they all have in common is the desire to help make Bedford Community Foundation even greater, to enable to better serve the Bedford Community.

Remember that a donation to the community foundation, no matter large or small, goes a long way because of the many funds and organizations that depend upon us and work with us. If you have ideas for helping with a gift, or a donation of property or an existing life insurance policy, or perhaps a gift by will or trust, we are eager to meet on a confidential basis.

Since 2005 the Bedford Community Foundation has risen to the challenge. The BCF has raised over $380,000 in contributions for the past five years. A portion of this money was used for Scholarships, Medical, Community Organizations and Youth Leadership Development.

Grants from foundations are important. But it is individuals like you who make all the difference in helping our community. You are the face of philanthropy in Bedford Township.

To discuss how you can help, please call the Bedford Community Foundation office at 734-854-1722.

YOU CAN MAKE TAX FREE GIFTS FROM YOUR IRA
TO THE BEDFORD COMMINITY DEVELOPMENT FUND

Federal tax legislation enacted on October 3, 2008 allows individuals 70 1/2 and over to make a direct gift from your IRA to the Bedford Community Foundation or other qualified charities. This gift counts toward fulfilling your required minimum distribution.

For each of the years 2008 and 2009 you can exclude up to $100,000 from your gross income for distributions made directly from your traditional IRA to a qualified charity. Checks issued from the IRA must be made payable to the charity. Take advantage of this favorable tax treatment by using your IRA to make a gift to Bedford Community Foundation and advance the causes of your community and to help make “Bedford Better.” Gifts must be received by December 31 in order to qualify as a charitable gift in the current year.

Make a gift to the BCF directly from your IRA in 2008 and 2009. Your donation will not be taxed as an IRA withdrawal. Your contribution will count towards your mandatory IRA withdrawal.

You are urged to contact your IRA custodian or representative before making a gift to arrange for the proper transfer of funds from your IRA.

While this topic is fresh on your mind, ask your attorney and financial advisor how to make the BCF a beneficiary of your will or trust or IRA

For more information about how you and the Bedford Community Foundation can benefit from an IRA charitable gift please contact our office at 734-854-1722.

You may have your check sent directly to the: Bedford Community Foundation

These helpful tips are only for your information on this change in the IRA law and are not to be considered as legal, tax or financial advice. You should consult with your legal, tax and financial advisors to implement the benefits of this new law and related matters.