HISTORY

Since its inception in 1973, the foundation has "helped people to help themselves" in bettering their lives and strengthening their capacity to serve the public interest. Through a strong philanthropic commitment, financial support, governance, and nonprofit leadership, the Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation has enhanced the Central Florida nonprofit community. The history of the foundation chronicles a legacy of leadership evolved from the professionalism and ethical commitment of Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation and the founding directors, continued today through its current board of directors, officers, and staff. It is an account of an evolutionary journey from the roots of a traditional foundation built upon long-standing Minnesota philanthropic values to a contemporary champion for the nonprofit sector. From its inception as an institution limited solely to making grants to its emergence as a Central Florida philanthropic community leader, it has managed to retain its original fundamental professionalism and adherence to a traditional "best practices" ethical standard.

Prior to her death in 1972, Mrs. Bush and her husband individually contributed many millions of dollars to charitable and educational organizations in Florida and Minnesota where Mr. Bush was a director, officer, and stockholder of the Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company prior to his death in early 1966.

The Edyth Bush Charitable Foundation began as a traditional independent foundation shortly after Mrs. Bush's death with a natural reliance on members of the family and close personal advisors to maintain the stated charitable aims of the institution. From its inception, it has been the role and responsibility of the Board of Directors to faithfully fulfill the foundation's charter and to carry out the foundation's charitable aims.