Dunham Foundation Scholarship

The objectives that guide the Dunham Foundation are forever linked with Foundation Founder John C. Dunham and his family. It was Mr. Dunham, after all, who determined that the Foundation he created in 1996 should “be dedicated through wise gifting to making the world a more comfortable, safer place for mankind to live and prosper.” And it was John Dunham, speaking as the entrepreneur and businessman that he was, who visualized the Foundation “as a self-sustaining money maker, as well as a gifting organization.” A history of Mr. Dunham and his family is synonymous with the history of Equipto, the Aurora company founded by Mr. Dunham’s father, Thomas M. Dunham, in 1907.

John, born in New Jersey but educated at West Aurora High School, and North Central and Babson colleges, followed his father into the family business, often sweeping floors and running errands as a youngster. In 1931, John joined the company, and he and his father achieved great success designing and selling their steel shelving equipment. John eventually served as president and chairman of the company, retiring as chairman of the board in 1994.

Widely known and highly respected as a champion of enterprise and education, his philanthropic passions, Mr. Dunham conceived the philanthropic direction that in 1996 led to the formation of the Dunham Foundation. During his lifetime, Mr. Dunham was a strong supporter of several Aurora-area educational institutions, where he inspired students to achieve excellence in scholarship, character development, work ethic and commitment to community service.

The Dunham legacy continues with the Dunham Foundation, which today is the largest private foundation in the Aurora area.