By Amy Rutter Korb, Executive Director
The Community Fund of Bronxville Eastchester Tuckahoe, Inc. was founded on October 2, 1919, as The Community Welfare Fund to support Lawrence Hospital during the flu epidemic. Once established, the Fund began supporting other charitable agencies, such as The Associated Charities of Eastchester, and other welfare agencies serving the local community during the Depression and World War II that provided basic support to families and the war effort.
Over the years, The Fund underwent several name changes, including The Community Chest, The Red Feather, and the United Fund of BET. In 1965, the fund was affiliated with the United Fund of Westchester and became known as The United Way of Westchester. After many years with the United Way, members of The Fund realized that much of the money they were raising was supporting services outside of the Bronxville, Eastchester, and Tuckahoe communities.
In 1980, to ensure that the funds raised locally would benefit the three communities, it severed its affiliation with the United Way and reestablished itself under its original charter of 1919. The Fund changed its name to the current, The Community Fund of Bronxville Eastchester Tuckahoe, Inc., and re-established its original concept and purpose:
- To promote and solicit financial support for agencies serving the Bronxville 10708, Eastchester, and Tuckahoe Communities
- To access the community’s needs and distribute funds to the agencies and programs providing services and support to the community and provide funding for new initiatives whose need is identified
- To acquaint the public with the work and needs of these agencies
- To create community-building events, such as the youth 3-on-3 basketball tournament and motivational speakers, that bring BET residents together
- To introduce high school students to philanthropy by creating a youth community fund. The group from all three school districts works collaboratively to volunteer, raise funds, and support youth initiatives through grantmaking
Today, The Fund is a non-profit corporation that funds and supports over 20 social service agencies and local community programs that serve the health, education, and welfare needs of local residents. The Fund infuses over $500,000 yearly into local nonprofits and community programs.
Through the efforts of many volunteers, we not only raise funds annually to provide grants for our member agencies and community programs, but equally important, we evaluate the agencies to ensure they still meet the needs and provide services that contribute to the well-being of the BET Community. The Fund also ensures the agency is in sound financial condition with a strong governing board. The fund offers advice and collaborates with agencies as needed.
The Community Fund motto is “Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” and the money raised benefits the residents!
The Fund’s 104th Annual Campaign has just launched.