Sarah, Claude & Michael Benedum

The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation is an independent foundation established in 1944 by Michael and Sarah Benedum, natives respectively of Bridgeport and Blacksville, West Virginia.  They named the Foundation in memory of their only child, Claude Worthington Benedum, who died in 1918 at age 20.  The Benedums expressed the wish that grantmaking be focused in West Virginia and Southwestern Pennsylvania, their native and adopted homes.  
 
The Foundation’s assets at year-end 2006 totaled $425,575,685.  Since its inception, the Foundation has authorized grants totaling more than $316,000,000.  Grants are made in the areas of Education, Health and Human Services, Community Development, and Economic Development.  Grants are made to advance specific initiatives in West Virginia and Southwestern Pennsylvania, as well as Promotion of Philanthropy in those regions.