Dr. Myra Virgil, Bermuda Foundation CEO and Managing Director (L), Emma de Closset, UKCF CEO and Amanda Outerbridge, Bermuda Foundation Chair
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2025 (HAMILTON, BERMUDA)
The Bermuda Foundation (BF) is pleased to announce that it has once again achieved full accreditation through UK Community Foundations (UKCF), the national accreditation body for community foundations. This is the third time since its inception in 2014 that BF has successfully completed the rigorous accreditation process.
This achievement affirms the Foundation’s commitment to high standards in governance, financial stewardship, grantmaking practice, and community impact. Accreditation is a rigorous and independent process designed to ensure that community foundations operate with transparency, accountability, and professionalism. It signals to donors, partners, and the wider community that the Foundation is a trusted steward of charitable assets—an essential role in a small island nation where social needs are evolving and resources must be effectively coordinated.
Community foundations globally play a critical part in strengthening civil society. They build permanent charitable assets, facilitate strategic giving, and connect resources to pressing community priorities. The Bermuda Foundation’s work—grounded in research, sector data, and the development of sustainable philanthropic infrastructure—aligns with this international movement to create resilient, well-supported communities.
This week, Bermuda Foundation Chair, Amanda Outerbridge, and Founding CEO, Dr Myra Virgil, were invited to join leaders from across the UK community foundation network at an event at the House of Lords. The event followed recent celebrations of 50 years of community foundations in UK, which included a message from His Majesty the King, in which he reflected on the impact of the community foundation movement and recognised the essential role of community foundations in strengthening civic life and community resilience. This week’s gathering highlighted the importance of the community foundation model and its growing influence in tackling complex social challenges through locally driven, long-term philanthropy.
Noting the significance of the Bermuda Foundation’s achievement, Ms Outerbridge said: “We are honoured to have achieved accreditation once again. It demonstrates the diligence of our team and also the confidence of donors, partners, and nonprofit colleagues in the value of a community foundation for Bermuda. We are grateful for the trust placed in us and remain committed to stewarding resources to benefit our community for generations to come.”
Dr Virgil added: “From the beginning, our aim has been to build a philanthropic institution capable of serving Bermuda in a sustained and meaningful way. Accreditation acknowledges that we are on the right path, but it is our community of stakeholders and supporters—and the many individuals who engage with this work—who have enabled the Foundation to grow into what it is today. We thank each of them for walking this journey with us.”
The Bermuda Foundation is proud to stand among accredited community foundations and to contribute to the wider movement that champions evidence-based philanthropy, strong nonprofit ecosystems, and long-term community wellbeing.
About the Bermuda Foundation
The Bermuda Foundation (BF) is a limited liability and segregated accounts company, registered as Bermuda charity #948. Its mission is to create an enduring source of funds forever dedicated to the good of Bermuda. BF improves and strengthens Bermuda’s social sector by assisting donors of all kinds to make the most of their generosity. As a public grantmaking foundation, its resources go towards creating a permanent asset base for the public benefit by stewarding and investing charitable gifts from the community, grantmaking, and responsibly managing its operations. BF was founded in 2013 by The Atlantic Philanthropies, the Buchanan Charitable Fund and RenaissanceRe with support from private donors and nonprofits that established their own endowed agency funds to be managed at the foundation. Bloomberg Philanthropies, Hemera Foundation, Allan & Gill Gray Foundation, AxaXL Foundation, and Meritus Trust Company also made key contributions. BF benefits from the professional support of Conyers Dill & Pearman and from PwC who conduct its annual audit.