How Bedford Giving Began
It all started with a simple but powerful idea: what if a group of businesses, individuals, organisations and funders all teamed up to make life better in Bedford, rather than working in silos? So that’s exactly what we did, we brought people together to create something special for the community. We decided to focus on young people after researching and asking what people in the borough wanted us to focus on.
The Founding Partners
Eight founding partners joined forces to make it happen. These organisations, all with strong roots to Bedford, knew that combining their resources, skills, expertise and passion, they could make a huge difference:
The Worshipful Company of Founders
This wasn’t just about writing cheques — it was about building a movement where every bit of effort mattered, and voices in the community were heard.
Bedford Giving is also hosted by The Harpur Trust which is covering all running costs, meaning that all funds provided go directly towards helping young people.
Why Partnering Made Sense
Let’s be real—no one group could tackle all of Bedford’s challenges alone. That’s why the founders of Bedford Giving knew working together was key.
By teaming up, Bedford Giving became the glue that brings together businesses, charities, schools, and residents. Everyone’s got a role to play—whether it’s donating, volunteering, mentoring, or even just spreading the word.
It’s not just about teamwork—it’s about building something that everyone in Bedford can feel proud of and be part of.
Our First Steps
We carried out additional research to find out what young people needed and we hit the ground running! From kickstarting aspirational programmes offering greater career opportunities to supporting youth voices and community engagement, Bedford Giving has been busy creating connections and figuring out exactly what Bedford’s young people need. Step by step, we’re making it happen—together!