This Fund will create lasting change in the Chippewa Valley thanks to an unprecedented legacy gift from  lifelong community member William “Bill” A. Bingham. ECCF is honored that his estate included a $4.75 million bequest to establish an unrestricted endowment fund in memory of his family. “This is the single largest gift received in the Foundation’s 26 years of existence,” said Sue Bornick, who served as ECCF’s Executive Director at the time the gift was received. “This one gift will make an incredible impact in our community FOREVER!”

Bill was born to Roy W. and Anna K. Bingham. Roy was a dentist from Canada who opened a practice in Eau Claire, only to shortly thereafter close it to serve in WWI. Upon returning to Eau Claire after the war, Roy met and married Anna Knobel. Anna had attended business school after high school graduation and excelled at calligraphy as part of her post high school education. She was a talented bookkeeper for several Eau Claire businesses. Roy passed away when Bill was only 14, but Bill remained close to his thrifty and resourceful mother. She struggled to raise Bill, help her own ailing mother, and continue to work outside the home despite few women being in that role at the time. She relied on friends and neighbors and knew how to work hard and save every penny.

Bill was raised in Eau Claire and attended high school there, after which he attended UW-Madison. After graduating, he returned to Eau Claire and worked for Cox Realty, which eventually became Bingham Realty. Bill was known for his sense of humor, great stories, quick wit, and his fondness for dogs, sailing, and traveling.

Although Bill passed away in April 2021, this gift ensures that the impact of his generosity will live on for generations to come. With this single unrestricted gift, ECCF will more than double its granting power, bringing the total amount available from approximately $140,000 from unrestricted funds annually to over $330,000! These grants will provide support for a diverse array of local nonprofits, all of which are working to improve the Eau Claire area’s quality of life.

Jim Chumas, one of Bill's longtime friends and the executor of his estate, was not surprised to learn of this gift to ECCF.  Chumas’ ties to Bill began in the 1940s, when Jim's grandmother and Bill's mother met in Eau Claire and became friends. Over many decades of holiday dinners together, the Bingham and Chumas families developed an exceptional friendship.

“Bill loved Eau Claire,” Jim said. “He did a lot of traveling, but Eau Claire was always his home. He was a big believer in the community and in the quality of life we all enjoy.”

Bill's gift makes him a member of ECCF’s Legacy Society, which recognizes donors who have made provisions in their estate plans to provide a gift to ECCF for the causes they care about the most.  Anna and Roy Bingham are also considered Legacy Society members. Since ECCF’s establishment, over 200 individuals have joined the Legacy Society.

“We’re extremely grateful for this gift,” said ECCF Board Chair Tom Larson. “It will accelerate bringing the Foundation to the next level. Our mission is to make grants and serve as a catalyst to address community needs. Bill’s donation ensures that we’ll be able to make more grants and address more needs than we ever have before. Because it will be endowed, his gift will benefit the Eau Claire community both now and far into the future.” 

To support this Fund, you can use the donate button below or mail a check to:

ECCF/Bingham Fund
306 S. Barstow St. Suite 104 
Eau Claire, WI  54701

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