Bright For Will

In July 2015, our three-year-old son Will passed away as a result of an accidental drowning at a local swimming pool. In the aftermath of this tragedy, we asked for memorial donations to be directed to our church to hold in trust until we decided how we wanted to proceed. Friends also started a “Go Fund Me” collection online.

For Will’s memorial service, we asked that those attending dress in bright colors as a tribute to the happy, active child that he was. An out of town family member who was unable to attend started a social media hashtag, #brightforwill. From this was born the Bright for Will Foundation!

In creating the Bright for Will foundation, we have partnered with the North Carolina Community Foundation (“NCCF”). We are not a traditional non-profit, but instead we function as a donor-advised endowment fund. NCCF is the traditional non-profit acting to manage many different funds that support a variety of causes. We are responsible for fund raising and are empowered to make decisions about how the funds raised are distributed. Any donation made to the Bright for Will foundation is tax deductible.

Our specific mission is to support the needs of children and families in our local community by providing them with opportunities they might not have, with assistance where needed and to bring BRIGHTNESS to an otherwise dark place. Examples include providing academic, athletic and recreational scholarships, acting as a silent partner to provide support to financially disadvantaged children.

We have an independent board that is helping to advise and support us. We are also open to reviewing grant requests from local groups who may fit the profile and mission of the foundation.

Your support of the Bright for Will Foundation is greatly appreciated!