What is Bentley Village Foundation?
Bentley Village Foundation, Inc. (the Foundation) was formed in 2016 as a Florida nonprofit corporation and is approved by the IRS as a Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and classified as a public charity, permitting it to accept tax-deductible contributions to use to further its Mission. The Foundation also holds a charitable solicitation license issued by the State of Florida.
Bentley Village Foundation's Mission
The mission of Bentley Village Foundation is to enrich the lives of residents, employees, and others within Collier County and southwest Florida and enhance their cultural, intellectual, emotional, and/or physical well-being through philanthropic programs and educational scholarships.
What is the relationship between Vi at Bentley Village and Bentley Village Foundation?
Vi at Bentley Village is a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) responsible for the operation of the Bentley Village retirement community. The Bentley Village Foundation is a separate nonprofit entity working with Vi in carrying out its scholarship and other charitable endeavors. Vi’s employees and their dependents are eligible to compete for the Foundation’s scholarships, and its residents may participate in its programs. Vi generously supports the Foundation by allowing it to use Bentley Village facilities and services, but the Foundation operates independently of Vi and exclusively for charitable and educational purposes.
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How is the Foundation Funded?
Contributions from Vi Residents, event sponsors and fundraising activities fund BVF. The annual gross contributions for 2022-2024 averaged $650,000. The Foundation has invested assets adequately to provide for its existing scholarship obligations and to support its ongoing programs. Financial statements are available on request.
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How does the Foundation spend your donations?
The Foundation strictly follows the IRS’s 501(c)(3) guidelines about how its funds can be used. Budgeted expenditures are approved by the Board of Trustees and are reviewed to ensure consistency with the Foundation’s Mission and in accordance with its strategic goals. Priorities include:
• The Foundation’s competitive scholarship program, “Bentley Wings,” which provides annual scholarships for students through graduation or completion of their studies.
Our Healthy Aging programs promote intellectual and cultural stimulation for all residents at Bentley Village, including the highly successful Music Therapy programs.
• Community Outreach. Through a system of grants, and in-kind services, the Foundation works with other respected community organizations to reach seniors and others throughout SWFL.
• Bentley Village Foundation is rated Four Star, the highest rating available by Charity Navigator and Candid (formerly GuideStar). These organizations aid millions of donors in their charitable decision-making. These ratings reflect a charity’s programs, stability, efficiency, and sustainability.
How can I contribute to the Foundation, and can I designate a specific purpose for my donation use such as scholarships?
ONLINE: You can donate money online with a credit card using the Foundation icon on Uniguest or go directly to http://weblink.donorperfect.com/Membership-20. The website will give you the choices to donate to the Annual Membership Appeal, a Scholarshp Fund or Program Fund Donation, or a Memorial or Tribute Donation. You will also be able to select the Program Fund or the Scholarship Fund to receive the donation. You can also select ‘where needed most” and rely on the wisdom and experience of the Foundation’s Board to apply your donation where it judges will be most effective.


CHECKS: Make checks payable to Bentley Village Foundation. Mail the check to: Treasurer, Bentley Village Foundation
701 Retreat Drive, Box 400, Naples, FL 34110.
OTHER: The Foundation also accepts donations of publicly traded stock, Qualified Charitable Donations and Donor Advised Funds. Additionally, under the Foundation’s 501(c)(3) qualification, it is qualified to receive tax-deductible bequests.
What are some of the metrics of the Foundation’s Scholarship Program?
Over 100 scholarships have been awarded since the Foundation was started in 2016. Already more than 35 scholarship recipients have graduated since the inception of the program. To fully follow the IRS regulations for the “Employer-Related” type of scholarships made available by the Foundation, Collier Community Foundation administers our scholarships, and in 2024 paid out $186,000 on behalf of the Foundation to the educational institutions Scholars attend.
If I designate a gift to the Scholarship Fund or Program Fund, can the Foundation use it for some other purpose?
All donations designated for the Scholarship Fund or Programs Fund will be used for those purposes and cannot be redirected elsewhere. A small percentage of all contributions are used for operating expenses, such as fees for accounting and administrative tasks. If you have any questions or need further information, please ask any Trustee.
Who is eligible for the Foundation’s competitive scholarships and how many are awarded annually?
Eligible scholarship applicants must be employees of Vi at Bentley Village, their spouses or dependents. Under the Foundation’s scholarship program since its start, scholars have both the time and flexibility to use the scholarship award while pursuing their designated degree or certificate. The number of scholarships awarded each year varies but has historically been approximately twelve. Currently the annual scholarship award (subject to annual review by the Board) is $6,000, and may be used for tuition, books and fees. To follow the IRS requirements, the Foundation’s designated administrator of its Bentley Wings Scholarships, the Collier Community Foundation, makes its awards directly to institutions the scholars attend.
Who are the Foundation’s Members, and how do I become one?
The Foundation thrives because of its two types of dedicated members: Volunteer Members and Donor Members. The Trustees, committee chairs, committee members, and many others selflessly volunteer their time, allowing the Foundation to channel its financial resources towards its Mission. The commitment of these Volunteer Members is estimated to save the Foundation over $400,000 annually in costs through their volunteer efforts.
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Our Volunteer Members and Donor Members have the complimentary and synergistic relationship that has been essential to the Foundation’s successes – it’s the dedication and generosity from both sets of Members that power the Foundation to function effectively and efficiently and grow year over year. The generosity of time, talent and money fuels a cycle of giving, inspiring future donors and volunteers. By joining BVF as a Volunteer or Donor Member, you’re not just supporting a cause, you’re shaping a legacy of education, enrichment, and opportunity.
If you're interested in exploring personally rewarding opportunities to get involved, visit www.bentleyvillagefoundation.org and click on the Volunteer button for more information, or call the Foundation at 239.238.4208.​
The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes. All information on the website is provided in
good faith.