In 2013 Bill and Kate established a permanent charitable fund with TGF to support the Community Fund’s annual fund drive. This designated fund will ensure that resources exist to support their annual fund drive forever.

The Lees have a long commitment to supporting causes in Guilford and beyond, and one of the causes nearest to their heart is the work of the Guilford Community Fund (GCF). The Fund raises and distributes over $120,000 annually to non-profit organizations best qualified to serve Guilford residents in need. These funds are critical to the ability of these organizations to address needs in Guilford, from services for intellectual disabilities to outdoor education to housing to women in transition to mental health services to Meals on Wheels and the Food Bank.

“One of the challenges facing the Guilford Community Fund is fluctuation in annual levels of donations supporting the ever-growing needs of their member agencies,” said the Lees. “Working with The Guilford Foundation to establish an endowment to benefit the Guilford Community Fund was a great step toward providing a stable, ongoing source of revenue for the organization. Combining the two organizations’ strengths is a real win-win for both, as well as for donors. One donation can now permanently benefit numerous Guilford agencies.”

In addition to creating the charitable fund, the Lees challenged the community to support this effort by matching any gift made to the fund—up to $25,000. Bill and Kate added, “Guilford is our community and we are thrilled to be able to spur others to help so many of our fellow residents who are in need.”

An article appeared in the Patch, click here to read.