Estate Gift of Close to $900,000 Funds New Betterini Scholarship at the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain

New Britain, Conn. – The newly established Ruth M. and Adolph J. Betterini Scholarship Fund will be available for its first round of applicants this scholarship season.

Adolph J. Betterini and his wife Ruth (Meehan) Betterini both graduated from New Britain High School in 1941. Adolph served in Europe during World War II with the Mighty Eighth Air Force as a flight engineer for the 392nd Bomber Group. After his military service, he and Ruth had long careers and retired from Fafnir Bearing Company in New Britain.

After Ruth passed away in 1985, Adolph wanted to ensure he would leave a legacy for him and his wife. In working closely with the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, Adolph planned to establish the Ruth M. and Adolph J. Betterini Scholarship Fund with a future gift agreement and estate gift. At that time, Adolph was welcomed into the Foundation’s Beehive Legacy Society which recognizes individuals during their lifetime for planned gifts that will benefit the Foundation’s mission in the future. The Betterini Fund came to fruition when Adolph passed in 2016 and more than $847,000 has been received to date from the estate for the new scholarship.

“Our Foundation is extremely grateful for the vision and generosity of people like Ruth and Adolph Betterini,” said Foundation President David Obedzinski. “Adolph came to us, talked to us about creating a legacy of academic support for students in our communities, and beginning this year their newly endowed scholarship will begin assisting students and their families for generations to come.”

The scholarship is available to graduating seniors of Berlin High School or New Britain High School pursuing a degree in engineering or a field of medicine. Candidates must display good citizenship in their school and community and show evidence of community service. To apply for the Betterini scholarship, please see your school’s guidance office or contact Candice Tabone, Foundation Office Manager & Scholarship Associate at ctabone@cfgnb.org.

Established in 1941, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain is “Where Good Begins” in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. Located at The Foundation Center at 74A Vine Street, New Britain, the Foundation works to inspire philanthropy, responsibly manage permanent charitable assets effectively, and partner to address key community issues through strategic leadership. For information about establishing a charitable fund at the Community Foundation with as little as $5,000, please contact Kaylah Smith, Assistant Director of Development, at ksmith@cfgnb.org or call 860-229-6018, ext. 305. For more information, visit www.cfgnb.org.