Supporter Spotlight: Edward T. Bedford Foundation

For more than 15 years, the Edward T. Bedford Foundation has been a significant supporter of the Community Foundation.

In fact, of the many scholarships the Community Foundation has awarded over the years, the Bedford Foundation’s award is notable for the volume of its impact. Over 140 local students are Bedford Scholars, one of the highest numbers for a scholarship fund in the Community Foundation’s history.

“The grant for scholarships that the Bedford Foundation issues each year to the Community Foundation is by far the largest, and significantly larger than any others we award,” said Ron Fick, a lawyer and Bedford Foundation trustee. “It has always been one of the highest priorities for the family and it is so gratifying to see their legacy live on through these scholarships and help so many students achieve their higher education goals,” said the longtime family friend.

Established in 1994 by Palm Beach resident E. T. Bedford Davie, the Bedford Foundation is named in honor of his maternal grandfather, Edward T. Bedford, who was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1849 after his parents emigrated to the United States in 1848.

Edward worked initially as a salesman for Charles Pratt & Co., selling lubricating and heating oils. Through collaboration with his friend, Robert Chesebrough, he helped develop and market the petroleum byproduct now more commonly known as Vaseline. Edward later became a sales agent for Standard Oil, and was named a director in 1903.

Edward was a personal friend of John D. Rockefeller and his business acumen was highly regarded. He was the frequent subject of news articles and was even mentioned in Dale Carnegie’s seminal work, “How to Win Friends and Influence People.” Edward died in 1931, at age 82, in Westport, Connecticut.