On November 14, 2025, a young swamp white oak will take root on the southeast side of the Guilford Town Green, a simple act that carries fifty years of meaning.

The Guilford Foundation’s story began much the same way. Half a century ago, Betty Stevens looked out at the Green she loved and saw trees weakened by age and disease. Rather than accept their decline, she took action, ensuring they were replanted so future generations could enjoy the town’s natural beauty. From that single gesture of care, The Guilford Foundation was born, an organization grounded in stewardship, resilience, and the belief that tending to one part of a community helps the whole of it grow.

Now, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we return to our roots. The new oak, planted near our office at 44 Boston Street, represents not only where we began, but how far we’ve come. Its roots will deepen just as ours have; its branches will stretch upward, echoing the growth we’ve nurtured across Guilford. And like every seed we plant—literally and figuratively—it symbolizes the future we continue to build alongside our neighbors.

As this anniversary tree grows, so too will The Guilford Foundation, guided by our mission to enrich the quality of life in our community by connecting people who care with causes that matter—now and for generations to come.

May this oak stand for decades as a living reminder of our shared legacy and the enduring beauty of giving back to Guilford.