The Foundation today

The Daniel Bingham Foundation, the new public facing name of the Bingham Library Trust, is named after its benefactor, Daniel George Bingham. Bingham was a native of the town whose philanthropy endowed the Bingham Library which first opened in September 1905 in Dyer Street.

Bingham’s intention was to provide “a place to study for recreation and for reasonable amusement; a permanent resource for the student desirous of supplementing the education which he has already received in his school days and a pleasant refuge for the ordinary reader”. A more detailed account of Daniel Bingham and the story of the Foundation can be found here.

First established as a Trust for the benefit of Cirencester, to advance public education in the arts and music as well as providing facilities for recreation and leisure, the Foundation seeks to improve life for people who live in and around Cirencester. Our charitable purpose is to support young people and anyone who through age, illness, disability, poverty or social and economic
circumstance needs our help.

Vision

To create opportunities for improving the well-being of individuals who live in and around Cirencester and to re-imagine Daniel Bingham’s legacy for the benefit of future generations.

Values

Property Stewardship: using the property endowed and managed by the Trust to enable the delivery of the vision and mission statement.

Partnership Focused: to lead and collaborate with others.

Public Facing: to create a sense of community and opportunity, through volunteering and access to learning, promoting reading and the arts, alongside proactively collecting, preserving and exhibiting local art and archive material.

 

We are at the heart of Cirencester, where Cirencester’s people, history & art come together.