Fostering Innovation in Education
We value remaining open and accessible to new organizations and new ideas. Our annual grant requests unlock opportunities to empower Cincinnati's educational future.
Our Origin
The original Woodward Trust was established by leather tanner William Woodward and his wife Abigail Cutter Woodward in 1827. It was intended to benefit underprivileged school children residing in the City of Cincinnati.
William Woodward’s vision was to offer a primary education to all children of Cincinnati regardless of the financial means available to a child’s family. His vision of education pre-dated the Ohio public school system and, to further his goals, he established Woodward Free Grammar School and, later, Woodward High School and Woodward College (now part of the University of Cincinnati), each originally located on the same site at Sycamore and 13th Streets.
In 1831, the Woodwards, took a significant step towards reshaping the educational landscape of Cincinnati. Their generous donation of a parcel of land, comprising roughly a block and a half immediately south of Sycamore and 13th Streets, marked the establishment of the 5-member “Board of Trustees of the Woodward High School of the city of Cincinnati.” Their endowment aimed to ensure that children, whose parents faced financial constraints, could access Woodward High School. While the donated land could be leased for 15-year terms, a crucial stipulation was that it could not be sold or otherwise disposed of, ensuring its enduring educational purpose.
Woodward High School soon became an part of “The Common Schools of Cincinnati” (now known as the Cincinnati Public Schools), supported by property taxes to enable all children to attend free of charge. However, the Woodward Trust’s mission remained unwaveringly focused on providing educational benefits to needy children in Cincinnati. Throughout the years, numerous deeds and documents have guided the evolution and structure of the original Woodward Trust, with a rich history detailing significant events and key documents that have shaped its ongoing commitment to educational support for the community.
The Woodward Trust of Today
Mr. Woodward’s enduring vision for education continues to shape the present through the dedicated efforts of the Woodward Trust and Cincinnati Public School’s Woodward High School. At the heart of this commitment lies the Trust’s mission to uplift underprivileged children in Cincinnati by providing vital support. This support takes various forms, ranging from the procurement of essential school supplies to facilitating enriching educational field trips and offering scholarships. Moreover, the Trust indirectly bolsters extracurricular programs, thereby enhancing the overall educational experience for students.
As the legacy has evolved over time, a series of deeds and documents have played a pivotal role in guiding and refining the Woodward Trust’s actions and organizational structure. Today, the “Woodward Trust” represents the amalgamation of several independent trust funds, all overseen by the same dedicated board of trustees. This collaborative approach enables the Trust to maximize its impact, ensuring that Mr. Woodward’s vision of providing quality education to all children of Cincinnati remains vibrant and relevant in the present day.
Additional Funds
In addition to the “original” Woodward Trust, numerous individuals and organizations have contributed additional money and other assets for the benefit of the same needy Cincinnati students. These funds have either been accepted directly into the original Woodward Trust (where legally permitted to do so), or have been administered separately but simultaneously by the Woodward Trustees.
Rebecca Friday Fund
In 1940, the Last Will and Testament of Rebecca Friday (believed to have been a CPS teacher) bequeathed an $80,000 endowment whose income was to be given for the benefit of the pupils of Bloom, Oyler, Rothenberg, Stowe and Woodward Junior High Schools who are children of needy families. These five schools, at the time, were the only junior high schools in the Cincinnati Public School system. As per her wishes, the funds have been available to all CPS junior high schools or, where schools have been combined, to needy 7th and 8th graders.
The Louise E. Bettens Fund
In 1919, Edward D. Bettens (1848-1921?), a graduate of Woodward High School, established a memorial to his mother, Louise E. Bettens (1827-1914). The memorial initially consisted of a variety of Mrs. Bettens’ books, bookcases, pictures, prints and bronzes, plus $3,000, the income from which was to be used to maintain the items given and, thereafter, to aid worthy pupils needing financial assistance to complete their course at Woodward High School.
Subsequently, the Last Will and Testament of Edward Bettens bequeathed all his property to the Louise E. Bettens Fund. Upon his death and clearing probate in 1921, an additional $50,496 was added to this fund. Edward Bettens, also a graduate of Harvard College, also created a sizeable Louise E. Bettens Memorial Fund at that institution.
The William Gamble Nast Memorial Scholarship Fund
Many felt that the 1921 memorial service for M. Louise Armstrong ( ?? – 1921), while very beautiful, was too transitory to adequately express the sentiment of the community for the great work done by Miss Armstrong as a teacher for many years at Woodward High School. As a result, a committee was formed to arrange for a permanent memorial. The result of this effort was a principal amount of $6,668 given to the Woodward Trustees in 1922. The income from these funds was to be used to assist worthy pupils in Woodward High School and to provide an annual scholarship to the Cincinnati Kindergarten Training School (Linton St., Cincinnati, OH).
The William Gamble Nast Memorial Scholarship Fund
Many felt that the 1921 memorial service for M. Louise Armstrong ( ?? – 1921), while very beautiful, was too transitory to adequately express the sentiment of the community for the great work done by Miss Armstrong as a teacher for many years at Woodward High School. As a result, a committee was formed to arrange for a permanent memorial. The result of this effort was a principal amount of $6,668 given to the Woodward Trustees in 1922. The income from these funds was to be used to assist worthy pupils in Woodward High School and to provide an annual scholarship to the Cincinnati Kindergarten Training School (Linton St., Cincinnati, OH).
On 11/21/1826, William & Abigail Woodward gave seven acres of land below Woodward (13th) Street to Samuel Lewis & Osmond Cogswell, as two of three trustees, to establish and maintain a free grammar school for the benefit of the poor children of Cincinnati. At that time, there were no free public schools in Cincinnati.
On 11/21/1826, William & Abigail Woodward gave seven acres of land below Woodward (13th) Street to Samuel Lewis & Osmond Cogswell, as two of three trustees, to establish and maintain a free grammar school for the benefit of the poor children of Cincinnati. At that time, there were no free public schools in Cincinnati.
The first Woodward High School opened on October 24, 1831.
William Woodward died on January 24, 1833.
On 3/1/1886, the executor of the estate of David Gallup sold a parcel of land (now 1432 Main Street) to Woodward Trust for $5,500.
Research Still in Progress
We have, as yet, been unable to completely determine what occurred as a result of the court’s rulings in the Dornette v. Allais case. It is known that Woodward Trust ceased giving its income into the general public school fund, and thereafter created what we now know as the Student Assistance Fund, administered through the Board of Education, to assist financially poor children. Based on current land records, it would appear that the Board of Education purchased (for an unknown amount on an unknown date) the land underlying Woodward High School (Lots 60 & 61).
There are several other anomalies arising from comparison of an 1860 Plat of properties owned by Woodward Trust and current land records:
Public Parks:
[Hamilton County Parcels 075-0004-0026 thru 0029]
[Hamilton County Parcels 075-0001-0017 & 0018; 075-0001-0021 thru 0023]
[Hamilton County Parcels 075-0004-0051 thru 0053]
Land records indicate the purchase of these lots by different individuals from 1938-1965. After some additional transfers, the City of Cincinnati purchased the lots in 1975 and is currently shown as the owner.
Donations
What will your legacy be?
Embodying the enduring vision of the Woodwards, both Woodward High School and Woodward Trust stand as living testaments to their commitment. Throughout the years, numerous others have joined this legacy, contributing funds and assets that reflect their unique perspectives, thereby enriching the lives of Cincinnati's students. Woodward Trust actively invites and embraces donations from individuals, foundations, corporations, and organizations keen on supporting educational opportunities for Cincinnati's students. Join us in shaping the future of education for generations to come.
