Margaret Beelard Community Foundation

Mig & Russ in 1960's.

Mig in 1925 with class during her 1st year of teaching at Cement Grammar School.

foundation history

Margaret (Mig) Beelard and her husband Russell (Russ) were always extremely community minded. They enjoyed everything about living in Vacaville.

Mig was born in Solano County and as a young woman taught school in Vacaville. In 1931 she married Russ. Together, they made a good life for themselves. After Russ passed away, she saw that their investments had continued to grow and Mig's goal became finding a way to give back to the Vacaville community that had always treated her and Russ so well. The possibility of forming a community foundation soon came to her. This idea went from a mere dream to an exciting reality when, in December of 1997, the Margaret Beelard Community Foundation was formed. The specific and primary purpose of her Foundation is to effectuate her philanthropic goals. Since the Foundation's 1997 beginning, it has gifted grants of over $1,500,000 in benefits to Vacaville area residents.

Sadly, in September of 2001, she passed away at the age of 97. The Board is thankful that Mig could see her Foundation function for almost four years. Throughout this time, the Board was able to learn her philosophy and is now able to follow in her incredible footsteps. Today her Foundation continues her legacy to the Vacaville area with a Board that includes members of her family and the community.