About Us

ABOUT US

BeFoundation is a private, Connecticut-based family foundation committed to improving the lives of children, families, and their communities in Connecticut.

We partner with like-minded individuals and organizations to expand the reach and impact of initiatives that meet our mission.

To contact BeFoundation, please email us at info@befoundation.org. Please note that we do not accept unsolicited applications.

 

LEADERSHIP

GREG YOUNG, FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN

Greg Young HeadshotGreg Young is a devoted father and husband, philanthropist, and business owner. A lifelong Connecticut resident, Greg dedicates his life to his family and making Connecticut a better place for all children. Greg’s philanthropic focus is on improving the educational outcomes of children in Connecticut through BeFoundation, his family foundation. BeFoundation is devoted to strengthening the education of young people in Connecticut and the vitality of their communities. With an abiding passion for music and an awareness of the importance and far-reaching impact of music education, Greg felt the need to address gaps in access to high quality music education. In 2014, Greg co-founded SpreadMusicNow with Richard Wenning, the Executive Director of BeFoundation. Together, they extended the reach of the family foundation beyond Connecticut and built SpreadMusicNow into a national organization supporting music education, music educators and underserved youth.

RICHARD WENNING, BOARD MEMBER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Richard Wenning HeadshotRichard Wenning serves as Executive Director of BeFoundation, a family foundation devoted to strengthening the education of young people in his home state of Connecticut and the vitality of their communities. He co-founded SpreadMusicNow in 2014 with BeFoundation founder Greg Young. During a career focused on the improvement of public education, Richard has worked with federal, state, and local agencies and nonprofits as an executive leader and strategy consultant. He has served as the Associate Commissioner of the Colorado Department of Education, Vice President of the Colorado League of Charter Schools, Executive on Loan to Denver Public Schools, Senior VP of New American Schools, and staff for the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee and Government Accountability Office. Richard holds a Master of Public Administration degree from The American University and was awarded a Presidential Management Fellowship. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Ithaca College.