Funds at Bermuda Community Foundation 

A fund established to tackle emerging and contemporary social problems, with a focus on youth and educational initiatives.

Our family believes in giving back and volunteering. By starting a fund with the Bermuda Community Foundation, the four of us will be able to support charities whose efforts resonate with us. The fund is another way for our family to be actively engaged in both our community and our giving.We cannot think of anything more rewarding and fulfilling as a family to do together, and are pleased our daughters will be involved in helping future generations of Bermudians.  —Peter Durhager

To make a contribution to the Durhager Family Fund (PCDAD) click here.

A fund established to promote a range of charitable and nonprofit activities, with a focus on philanthropy, the arts and dance. O’Hara Family Fund A fund established to promote a range of charitable and nonprofit activities, with a focus on philanthropy, the arts and dance.

The Bermuda Community Foundation is enabling us, and will enable a lot of other Bermuda people, to build a lasting legacy for the nonprofit sector. It works in a number of ways. My wife has handled our accounts from the day we were married and has always taken care of our charitable giving, and it’s a lot of work. Giving a lump sum, building an endowment with the BCF, frees her up and we can now simply instruct the BCF as to where we want the money to go. We can also continue to build up the endowment over time and leave something lasting for our children and their families, something that will be perpetual in the market.

As an American who pays taxes, I also feel it works from a tax perspective. The endowment can be invested and grow compounded tax-free—whereas if we were funding our third sector by giving piecemeal each year, that would be after-tax money. So it works in a virtuous circle in many ways. —Brian O’Hara

To make a contribution to the O'Hara Family Fund (BMONO) click here.

A fund established to champion social and economic justice for the most disenfranchised members of the community and to advocate for the protection of the vulnerable.

My wife and I met as volunteers at a Montreal inner-city youth centre in 1992. We knew we would remain committed to championing the causes of disadvantaged families and at-risk kids. When our daughters came along, we continued to take very seriously the belief that it is important to do what you can for people who may not be in a position to advocate for or protect themselves. The idea of being able to give to the causes we care about throughout our lives and then passing our family’s interests in philanthropy on to future generations excites us. Structuring our giving in this way means we’ll be able to contribute to charity in perpetuity—the monies will have been secured and BCF will be there to administer the fund through our descendants. —Marc Quig

To make a contribution to the Quig Family Fund (MDQMV) click here.

A fund established in memory of Joan Darling by her daughters, Amanda, Penny, Gill and Robin, to support nonprofits delivering services to people who experience challenges every day, particularly the sight and hearing impaired and those with learning disabilities.

Irene Dale’s passion was nursing.  She graduated from the Halifax School of Infirmary in 1953, and was a registered nurse in both Bermuda and Canada.  She was the nurse every patient would want to have. She sought to make every patient ‘s journey as comfortable as possible, and she served with love and compassion. - Brenda Dale 

To make a contribution to the Irene Dale Memorial Fund (IDMF) click here.

A fund established by Nikkita Scott and family in support of marine activities, to honor the late Mr. and Mrs. H. Edward (better known as Capt. Ed Williams) and Valeria Williams, the former who was committed to the development and launch of the Bermuda Sloop.

“I’d rather be sailing,” was the quote posted in my grandfather’s taxi for as long as I can remember. As a captain of the seas, he understood powerful lessons can be learned from working towards a common goal. He believed developing a respect for the sea created opportunities for relationship building, character development and discipline. My grandmother’s love of the arts, and music in particular, was founded in the same belief. This fund honours my grandparents’ belief in the development of the whole person. As a family, we say thank you to BCF for allowing us to impact our community in their memory.

—Nikkita Scott

To make a contribution to the Williams Legacy Fund (WLF) click here.

Legal & General Reinsurance, in partnership with Mirrors, has launched the 'Lighthouse Connect’ initiative' to raise funds to provide free laptops to Bermuda public school students whose education has been affected by the pandemic.

As establishing donors, L&G know many businesses have expressed a desire to support Bermuda’s students with technology. Lighthouse Connect provides a way for companies and individuals to contribute to the purchase of Ministry of Education-approved equipment in a coordinated and cohesive manner that is most suitable for teachers and students.

The island will recover from this pandemic, but we need to make sure no student is left behind.

Lighthouse Connect provides a way for companies and individuals to contribute to the purchase of Ministry of Education-approved equipment in a coordinated and cohesive manner that is most suitable for teachers and students. The island will recover from this pandemic, but we need to make sure no student is left behind. 

Click here to learn more about the Lighthouse Connect Fund or emaillighthouse@landg.bm.

The Charles E. & Lesley Marshall Family Fund supports the development of youth football, refereeing programmes, and activities of football clubs and entities. 

Established by ITU World Champion Triathlete, Commonwealth Games and 2021 Olympic gold medalist, Flora Duffy, The Flora Fund and the Flora Gold Fund (endowment) aim to enable aspiring youth in Bermuda to achieve their full potential by providing funding support not limited to but including: equipment, travel, training fees, event registration fees, and coaching. All towards the development of the skills and attributes needed to achieve excellence in sport – which will have a positive impact for the community of Bermuda.

Donors who share Flora’s vision for aspiring athletes can contribute to The Flora Fund by clicking  here to make a standard gift or  here to make a US IRS Tax deductable gift.

To apply for support from The Flora Fund click here.

A fund established by the Hemera Foundation to support a variety of charitable initiatives, including the advancement of the field of early childhood development in Bermuda. Click here to read about a recent Hemera Fund grant.

The Hemera Foundation Fund Fund supports early childhood development in Bermuda. 

Established with a generous founding donation from RenaissanceRe as part of its 20th Anniversary celebration, this Fund enhances BCF’s early grant-making capacity to nonprofits by providing 1) challenge-match opportunities for nonprofits electing to set up their own agency endowments and 2) annual programme and operational grants to nonprofit groups, causes and community projects.  Match conditions and recipient grantees are at the donor’s discretion.  This fund also directly supports the Friends of Bermuda Railway Trail to further develop the railway trail in Bermuda and the Bermuda Sloop Foundation for the ultimate benefit of its longevity, core operations and programmes.

RenaissanceRe's global theme is "Bridging the Gaps - Investing in Our Future". Funding priorities include supporting educational opportunities impacting children with an emphasis on programs that fill gaps in the Educational system.

RenaissanceRe Charity Challenge: Endowment contributions were pledged to the following agencies upon the launch of their own endowment funds at BCF: Greenrock, Western Stars Sports Club, The Family Centre, Coalition for the Protection of Children, Open Airways, Bermuda Debate Society, Bermuda High School for Girls PTA, Diversity Institute of Bermuda, National Dance Foundation, Bermuda Audubon Society, Bermuda National Association of Social Work - Ida James Memorial Fund for Social Work and Age Concern Bermuda

To apply for a grant from the RenaissanceRe Charity Challenge (RENCC) click here. 

Established by the Dale Family to support nursing education and to celebrate the life of Irene and her passion and commitment to the field.

Irene Dale’s passion was nursing.  She graduated from the Halifax School of Infirmary in 1953, and was a registered nurse in both Bermuda and Canada.  She was the nurse every patient would want to have. She sought to make every patient ‘s journey as comfortable as possible, and she served with love and compassion. - Brenda Dale 

To make a contribution to the Irene Dale Memorial Fund (IDMF) click here.

Established by the family of photographer Roland Skinner to celebrate his passion for photography, his love for Bermuda and his belief in arts education.

The Roland Skinner Memorial Fund for Bermudian Visual Arts celebrates Roland’s passion for photography, his love of Bermuda and his belief in arts education. All proceeds of the Roland Skinner Memorial Fund will be distributed to talented Bermudians in the field of visual arts, in support of the furthering of visual arts in Bermuda.

A lifelong photographer, Roland was known for his sweeping aerial shots that showcased Bermuda’s beauty. These photos were featured in international publications.

Mr. Skinner told The Royal Gazette in 1993: “Photography is the sort of thing you never get tired of. You can do it all your life and enjoy the last photograph you took as much as the first one.

“I think you’re born with it. Musicians are born to be musicians and photographers are born to be photographers." He added that the island was “a photographer’s paradise”.

Roland studied at the Winona School of Professional Photography in Indiana, but honed his trade in the darkroom. He opened his own photo gallery, Picturesque, just before he retired from his government post in 1995. The gallery moved to Walker Arcade in 2013. Roland's popular book, Picturesque Bermuda, was released in 1996, followed by a second volume in 2012. While working on his books, Roland realised how fortunate he was "to have been born on this picturesque island, and to be able to appreciate the incredible beauty that surrounds me". Commenting that Bermuda's seasons provide a variety of lighting opportunities, Roland particularly liked winter, when the sun's lower trajectory provides lovely shadows all day long. "Two of my favourite times to photograph are the "golden hours", which are first and last hours of the day, and those moments when the distant sky turns grey and the subject is still brightly lit by the sun."

Among his favourite subjects were views of his beautiful island, by land, air and sea, and he also loved to capture many fascinating shots of sunsets, clouds and rock formations.

To make a contribution to the Roland Skinner Memorial Fund (RSMF) click here.

The XL Foundation has made significant contributions to nonprofits in Bermuda in the fields of education, youth development, health, human services and the environment.

Established with contributions from the Diversity Institute of Bermuda and its key supporters to support diversity initiatives that encourage and advance an understanding of human diversity in Bermuda, whether related to age, class, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or otherwise.

Diversity Initiative Fund Tribute: The belief in the power of people to create change lives on in this fund established by the Diversity Institute of Bermuda. BCF will host DIB’s former members in a celebration of the agency’s work in 2015 through the public launch of the fund and the publication of a commemorative booklet.

Established to support environmental education, research and conservation with a focus on the protection of the ocean environment.

The Toogood Family Fund at BCF was established to support environment education, research and conservation with a focus on the protection of the ocean environment.

To make a contribution to the Toogood Family Fund (CTCTF) at BCF click here.

Early Childhood Development Project and Research Fund: Established with contributions from the Hemera Foundation Fund, the Gutteridge Family, the Bank of Bermuda Foundation and a private individual to improve outcomes for young children ages 0-3 years. This fund supports the advancement of the field of early childhood development in Bermuda by conducting research into the field, which includes an examination of community needs, best practices and strategic options for supporting work that improves outcomes in the field. The fund may also support projects that improve outcomes for children primarily ages 0-3 and in the field of early childhood development more generally.

Funding for research into 0-3 year olds in Bermuda and why some are failing to thrive was made available through the Early Childhood Development Project and Research Fund, which was established by the Hemera Foundation with additional contributions from the Bank of Bermuda Foundation, the Gutteridge family and private donors. Click here for the Full Zero to Three Report or here for the Executive Summary.  

Ida James Memorial Fund for Social Work: When the Bermuda National Association of Social Workers decided to honour respected colleague, the late Ida James, they believed an endowment fund would be a respectful tribute. Established in October 2014, investment returns will provide capacity building and professional development funding opportunities for practicing social workers, service providers and social work students – or for community-based social work programmes.

An initial gift from the O’Hara family established this endowed fund, which yields returns to support the core programmes of the National Dance Foundation of Bermuda.

An endowment, agency fund established to ensure a consistent stream of income that can be used to support their programme goals.

An endowment fund, established by an initial gift from the O'Hara family which will yield returns to support the core programmes of the National Dance Foundation of Bermuda.

To make a contribution to the NDFB Funds at BCF click here.   

TalkWell Bermuda: In the works is a series of moderated blogs premised on the idea that respectful dialogue can help the community explore and resolve meaningful social issues. http://www.talkwell.org/

When you don't know who to give to and really want to give consider the following:

To make a contribution to one of these programme funds click here. 

Read·Write·Bermuda Campaign for Literacy (ARCHIVED): Established with a seed donation from the Buechner Society Fund of Bermuda, this campaign has contributed to efforts to improve literacy in Bermuda.  Anyone who cares about reading, writing and numeracy can make a contribution to the fund!

To ensure the livelihood of the Bermuda Debate Society in the future by growing investment returns that will be re-invested into its programmes and operations for Bermuda’s youth.

As a small, but vibrant charity fostering debate among students in Bermuda, the Bermuda Debate Society is excited to partner with the Bermuda Community Foundation. We see the BCF as an innovative vehicle that will preserve our finances for future operations even in the event that many years from now we, as existing Board members, are no longer involved. By establishing —and growing—an agency fund, we hope to show our donors that we are forward-thinking and that their contributions are being used responsibly and in a sustainable fashion. We have confidence in the BCF; in addition to BCF's Board members being recognised and respected members of the community, it has the financial backing of prominent organisations. We suggest other charities consider taking advantage of this exceptional opportunity to ensure their longevity.

—Marisa Sharpe, President, The Bermuda Debate Society

To make a contribution to Bermuda Debate Society Fund (BDSAF) click here

This endowed fund’s returns go towards the annual recognition of student leaders who epitomize the PTA mission and ideals. Student winners are awarded 1) a cup of recognition and 2) to grow their capacities as civic leaders and emerging philanthropists, the opportunity to determine how the Fund’s grants will be spent on projects and programmes that improve the educational experience at BHS.

Every year, the PTA raises funds that go towards enhancing the school. We wanted to find a way to augment our annual efforts with an investment that will grow over time.We also sought a way to engage students as civic leaders and as potential philanthropists.

The PTA Excellence Prize Fund helps us get to that goal. Using funds that might have gone towards gifts of appreciation to PTA volunteers last year, we established this fund at BCF in the name of the PTA.  —Lacey Fraser, Secondary Chair, PTA Executive

To make a contribution to the Bermuda High School PTA Excellence Prize Fund (BHSPTA) click here.

Irene Dale’s passion was nursing.  She graduated from the Halifax School of Infirmary in 1953, and was a registered nurse in both Bermuda and Canada.  She was the nurse every patient would want to have. She sought to make every patient ‘s journey as comfortable as possible, and she served with love and compassion. - Brenda Dale 

To make a contribution to the Irene Dale Memorial Fund (IDMF) click here.

The Toogood Family Fund at BCF was established to support environment education, research and conservation with a focus on the protection of the ocean environment.

To make a contribution to the Toogood Family Fund (CTCTF) at BCF click here.

This fund was established with seed support from the Buechner Society of Bermuda Fund for Family Literacy and Literature and Reverend Frederick Buechner to improve literacy in Bermuda.  Funding goes to qualified nonprofit agencies such as CedarBridge Academy, Bermuda National Library, The Reading Clinic, and others to support their participation in the Building Readers, Supporting Writers, and Expanding Libraries programmes of the READ•WRITE•BERMUDA Campaign. The fund is administered by and all grant-making decisions are made by the staff of the Bermuda Community Foundation. To make a contribution to the READ•WRITE•BERMUDA Campaign go to https://www.bermudacommunityfoundation.org/GIVE/HowtoGive/givenow.aspx

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***For U.S. donors, please go to Making a Donation or For American Donors for more information***