THE BAMFORD FOUNDATION

The purpose of the Bamford Foundation is to improve the quality of life of individuals and to strengthen their communities, primarily in Tacoma, Washington and the South Puget Sound area of the Pacific Northwest.

History: The Bamford Foundation was established in 1990 by Calvin D. Bamford, Jr. and Joanne Bamford with the intent of supporting their home community of Tacoma, Washington. As long-time President of Globe Machine Manufacturing Company, founded in 1917 and located on Tacoma’s tide-flats, Calvin has demonstrated his commitment to give back to the Tacoma community through this foundation and through his membership on boards and in a variety of community organizations. Likewise, Joanne, having moved to the area in 1967 when she married Cal, has led a number of boards and has worked with many charitable organizations in the areas of education, human services and the arts, in order to improve the quality of life of families in Tacoma. The Bamford Foundation embodies the values that Joanne and Calvin instilled in their children and hope to instill in future generations. These values include the importance of family, life-long education, involvement in one's community, and generosity.

What we support: We support 501c(3)organizations that use inventive and effective ways to offer opportunities for people to help themselves and those around them to lead productive and satisfying lives. We support organizations that promote tolerance, respect for diversity, and understanding across cultures. The foundation expects to accomplish its mission principally through the following areas of giving:

1. Provision of Basic Needs (shelter, food, clothing, health care): Without the basic needs, it is difficult for individuals to take advantage of opportunities offered to them.

2. Civic, Arts and Cultural Programs: For communities, access to and involvement in arts, arts education, and opportunities for cultural understanding.

3. Early Childhood Education: Promotion of young children’s healthy development and learning through support of organizations that improve access to and quality of early childhood education, support and educate parents as their child’s first teachers, and enhance professional development of those who work with young children.

4. Access to Higher Education and Job training Opportunities: Promotion of programs that improve access to higher education for young adults, including those that help students to stay in school, opportunities for job training and vocational programs, and
opportunities for individuals with disabilities to gain skills and higher educational options.

Areas that the Foundation will not support:
- organizations that discriminate on the basis of ethnic origin,
gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation.
- Individuals (e.g. direct grants or scholarships for individuals)
- Religious or sectarian organizations whose principle activity is for
the benefit of their own members
- Basic Research
- Sponsorship
- Conferences
- Organizations that support violence

Notice about our current status: The Bamford Foundation is currently developing a more formal structure as a family foundation, which is based on decisions made by the 5 member foundation board and subcommittees. As we develop our giving plan and communications, we plan to contact organizations from whom we would like to see letters of inquiry and subsequent proposals. We are accepting letters of inquiry by invitation only at this time. If you have been invited to submit a letter of inquiry to the Foundation, you may do so using our new contact information:

The Bamford foundation email is info@bamfordfoundation.org. Electronic
communication is preferred. If necessary, mail can be sent to Bamford Foundation,
Attn: Holly Bamford Hunt, P.O. Box 2274, Tacoma, WA 98401. Phone:
253-620-4743.

Over the spring of 2011 we will be posting on this site more specific information about the grant application and decision process. Please direct questions to the email address listed above.

Bamford Foundation Grants 2010