Written by Sigrid Kun, Guilford Events Magazine

Humble Beginnings. TGF’s legacy of community impact began with an engaged community member, Elizabeth (Betty) Stevens. Stevens’ mission was to beautify the Guilford Green. The Town had not replaced diseased or damaged trees that had proudly adorned the Green. In 1974, she met with the Board of Selectmen to voice her concerns, and they told her to establish a committee for the project. She did just that by recruiting dedicated neighbors and friends.

By the end of 1975, the committee would be incorporated as The Guilford Foundation. The group began with “The Greening of Guilford” and planted 14 ornamental Bradford pears before expanding its efforts to better the Guilford community. After her death, the Elizabeth Stevens Tree Fund was established in her honor to ensure the beauty of the Guilford Green.

Expanding the Mission. Over the years, the organization expanded its focus from the town center to include projects that provide programs and services benefiting the community, such as outreach for battered women, meals for seniors, summer youth and special needs programs, performing arts, and more.

From 1975 to 2025, the growth has been exponential:

• Assets grew from $8,500 to $7.9 million (value at the end of the fiscal year)
• Grant dollars invested increased from $3,000 to $360,000 (annual grantmaking)
• Charitable funds expanded from 1 to 77 charitable funds (total since inception)

“Behind those numbers are stories of people who bring tremendous passion to their giving to help organizations deepen community impact,” explains TGF Board Chair Alex Sulpasso. “This 50th Anniversary campaign honors TGF’s unique role as a hyper-local philanthropic hub that continues to focus on bettering  Guilford.”

Making a Difference. Through 50 years of grantmaking, TGF’s impact is significant. A few milestones include providing seed money for the Guilford Center for Children afterschool care (1978), seed money for the Guilford Food Bank (1995), establishing a community resource center for Guilford Youth and Family Services (2002), a grant for a boardwalk at Chittenden Park (2012), seed funding for The Guilford Performing Arts Festival/GreenStage Guilford (2017), raising over $138,000 for a COVID Response Fund campaign and distributing $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to local nonprofits (2023).

Local Giving. Community foundations are centered on local giving. Every dollar stays within the community, supporting a range of programs and services utilized by nearly every resident. TGF’s focus areas include seniors, children, community improvement initiatives, arts, mental health, and basic needs.

Executive Director Liza Petra noted, “Our deep-rooted connections in the community allow us to leverage your generosity in impactful ways, ensuring that every dollar donated has meaningful local impact. Our focus is to enrich the lives of our neighbors, family, and friends and cultivate a vibrant, thriving community for generations to come.”

Community Campaign: To commemorate its founding, TGF announced the launch of its 50th Anniversary Community Campaign. With a bold goal of raising $500,000, the initiative aims to meet the evolving needs of Guilford for generations to come. Kicking off in July, this appeal underscores the Foundation’s unwavering mission of community enrichment, as started 50 years ago by Betty Stevens.  

“This year-long celebration is not just a reflection of our achievements; it’s a commitment to continue rising to meet the future needs of our town,” underscores Petra. “We invite everyone to join us on this journey, as we honor the past while building a brighter tomorrow for all members of the community.”

To learn more about our 50^th Anniversary, click here.

To donate to our 50th Anniversary Community Campaign, click here.