The Bethesda Foundation
Serving the Canisteo Valley and beyond, since 1987
The Bethesda Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the funding and support of health-related projects and scholarships in the Hornell area. It was created in 1986 after the Bethesda Hospital closed in 1985. Income from a subsequent investment fund is used to help non-profit organizations furnish health-related services to the population within the geographical area previously served by the Bethesda Hospital, an approximately 30-mile radius of Hornell.
The original Bethesda Hospital was a community hospital established in North Hornell in the early 1900’s to meet the increasing demands for medical care in the Hornell area. It officially opened in February 1917, using a building that had previously served as a hotel and clubhouse. In 1960, a new hospital was built on that site, with support from numerous community groups.
Upon the closure of the hospital, the physical assets were sold and the proceeds used to create the Bethesda Foundation. A Board of Directors governs the Foundation, with individual members elected to three-year overlapping terms. Membership on the Board is diverse and represents the diverse population of the Hornell area, with individual members contributing expertise
and experience gained through their work in health, education, finance, medicine and business.
The Foundation is directly managed by an Executive Director who works with individual committees composed of members of the Board of Directors. These committees include the Executive Committee, Finance Committee, and Grant Committee. The latter Committee reviews individual grant applications submitted to the Foundation, then refers those applications to the full Board of Directors with a recommendation.
Since its founding in 1987, the Bethesda Foundation has contributed approximately $3 million to community organizations that deliver healthcare services to the local population. These contributions include a $250,000 grant in support of the construction of the new St. James University of Rochester Hospital, as well as approximately $250,000 in scholarships to the Alfred State College nursing program. Additional grants have been made to the Hornell YMCA, the Hornell Salvation Army, and several local ambulance companies.