Our family philanthropy began long before the foundation was established. Stories abound from W.C. Bradley’s early years, where his generosity and honesty made him revered among his employees and the people he encountered along the way.

After founding the eponymous W.C. Bradley Company in 1885, W.C. set about to grow his humble grocery business into one of the most respected companies in the Southeast at the time. From steamboats to banks to factories to farms, and even Coca-Cola, there was little that he didn’t see as a potential profit-center.

His charity was much the same. He saw opportunity everywhere to make his money matter. In 1923, he donated all of his steamboat, plus operating capital, to the Columbus Chamber of Commerce. During the Great Depression, he kept his factories open, operating at a loss, and several accounts tell of W.C. standing at the front door of his house, handing out money to any and all who were out of work, or simply out of luck.

It came as no surprise then that, in 1943, after the economy began to recover, W.C. Bradley created the W.C. and Sarah Hall Bradley Foundation, with the intent to give back to the region that was essential in the creation and growth of their businesses. In 1961, D.A. Turner, son-in-law of W.C. Bradley, established the D.Abbott and Elizabeth Bradley Turner Foundation, and together, the two foundations renewed their focus on the Chattahoochee Valley, an effort ongoing now for over 80 years.

In 1983, after the passing of D.A. Turner, the two foundations merged to create the Bradley-Turner Foundation, a family-led philanthropic enterprise that is now in its 7th generation.

Our continued focus is to partner with nonprofits and visionaries in the Chattahoochee Valley to build out a region of socioeconomic vitality for ALL of its citizens, creating a place where every person is proud to call it home.