The Bodman Foundation was established by George M. Bodman and his wife, Louise Clarke Bodman, in 1945. Mr. Bodman was born in Toledo, Ohio, in 1882 and died in 1950. Mrs. Bodman was born in Chicago in 1893 and died in 1955. The Bodmans lived for much of their lives in New York City and Red Bank, New Jersey, and were generous supporters of numerous cultural, civic, and service organizations.

During his working career Mr. Bodman was a senior partner at the investment banking firm of Cyrus J. Lawrence & Sons. During World War I he headed the Intelligence Service of the War Trade Board. During World War II, he served as the executive assistant to the Red Cross Commissioner for Great Britain and was regional director in charge of American Red Cross Club operations in England, Scotland, and Ireland. Mr. Bodman was educated at the Hill School in Pennsylvania and Yale University.

The Bodman Foundation’s Certificate of Incorporation states that its funds are to be used for “the aid, support or benefit of religious, educational, charitable, and benevolent objects and purposes for the moral, ethical and physical well-being and progress of mankind.”

Since its founding, The Bodman Foundation has made over $86 million in grants. Total assets of The Bodman Foundation were $73.7 million on December 31, 2007.