About the Foundation

The History of the Foundation

In 1937, E.A. Stuart, founder of the Carnation Company, established the Elbridge Stuart Foundation to continue his charitable giving after his death. Today his legacy is the continued support of children in California and Washington, the two states he called home for most of his life.

"My keenest desire is that the country's opportunities and its possibilities remain open and available to my son and to my grandchildren and to their children after them as well as to all other young men and women who have high ideals and are willing to make sacrifices for their attainment."

The Stuart Family
The Stuart family continues to guide the work of the foundation by devoting time and energy to the governing Board of Directors. Today, Mr. Stuart's grandson, E. Hadley Stuart, Jr., and three of his great grandsons, D.L. Stuart, Jr., Elbridge H. Stuart III and Stuart Lucas, ensure that the foundation continues to honor the spirit of Mr. Stuart's charitable intentions. The Stuart family recognizes the central role that philanthropy can and should play in American society, as an important source of investment in promising ideas and approaches that create and expand opportunities for children.