As Foundation president, Tom recognized the ease and effectiveness with which Foundation legacy funds operate. As the son of a Guilford Institute trustee, Tom wanted to help the trustees execute their mission more impactfully. Under the auspices of the Foundation, the Guilford Institute Fund (GIF) has transformed a slowing philanthropic effort into an invigorated source of support for exceptional programs and projects at Guilford High School (GHS).

Established by Sarah Griffing in 1885 as a private school, the Guilford Institute became the town’s high school in 1886. When Guilford’s new high school (now Elisabeth Adams Middle School) opened in 1936, the Guilford Institute ceased operations – but its educational mission lived on. When the Institute closed, its funds were put in a trust for special programs at the high school, but by 2014, the trust needed a new vision and energy. In 2016, the transfer of funds to The Guilford Foundation was completed, and The Guilford Institute Fund was established.

The Guilford Foundation’s Executive Director, Liza Petra, engaged the Foundation’s Youth Advisory Group (YAG) to support grant implementation. YAG encouraged GHS community members to apply for grants, and the following projects were funded in the GIF’s first year: a plasma cutter for engineering students, a diversity awareness project, and knitting materials for a community basic needs project.

To learn more about the Guilford Institute Fund grants, click here to download the application. The deadline is April 15.

To learn more about the Guilford Institute’s history and building, click here.