WESTPORT — More than $300,000 in grants to 31 community organizations was awarded last week by the Bedford Family Social Responsibility Fund of the Westport Weston Family YMCA.

Grants, this year totaling $315,000, were presented to “organizations whose impactful work embodies the spirit of service and enrichment in accordance with the Y’s steadfast commitment to its community in the areas of youth development, healthy living and social responsibility,” according to a statement from the WWFY.

The grants are funded through a $40 million endowment from the estate Ruth T. Bedford, granddaughter of Edward T. Bedford, who founded the local YMCA in 1923.

The Bedford Family Social Responsibility Fund was established after the YMCA received the bequest in 2015, and using the endowment’s earnings, one-year grants are awarded to organizations and programs “that provide direct or supplemental educational opportunities in the Greater Fairfield County area,” the WWFY’s statement said.

Ruth Bedford, who died in 2014 at age 99, was “the embodiment of the Y’s social responsibility pillar standing firmly by the idea that you don’t need more money than you need to live on, and that you have a responsibility to give back,” Anjali McCormick, the CEO of the Westport Weston Family YMCA, said during the Dec. 12 award ceremony.

“Ruth’s legacy is enduring — though she had no children, she continues to touch the lives of hundreds and thousands of children and youth each year — through and because of your organizations, McCormick told the recipients.

Calling the 31 awardees “inspiring,” McCormick added, “We love that you are forward thinking, we love that you are solution oriented, we love that you are preparing future generations and the world to be a better place.”

Following is a list of the groups that received grants: 

A Better Chance of Westport, Achievement First Bridgeport Academy, Adam J Lewis Academy Bridgeport Caribe Youth Leaders, The Carver and CT Institute: Refugees & Immigrants.

Family & Children’s Agency, First Serve Bridgeport, Greater Connecticut Youth Orchestra, Hall Neighborhood House, Horizons: CT State Norwalk, Greens Farms Academy, Notre Dame Catholic High School, Housatonic Community College Foundation and Kids Empowered by Your Support.

The Klein Memorial Auditorium Foundation, Mercy Learning Center of Bridgeport, Neighborhood Studios of Fairfield County, New Beginnings Family Academy, Norwalk Community College Foundation, Norwalk Housing Authority and Norwalk Symphony Orchestra.

Person to Person, Project Morry, Shepherds Mentors, Silvermine Arts Center/Art Partners Program, Smart Kids with LD, Staples Tuition Grants. University of Bridgeport/STEM on Wheels, Suzuki Music School and Wakeman Memorial Association.