Dave and Edye Bassett established the Sterling Hope Foundation in appreciation for the guidance and support of Dave’s parents, Sterling and Hope Bassett.

Sterling Bassett (February 15, 1915 – May 13, 1996) was a leader in the field of risk management consulting and claims administration. As Chairman of Gallagher Bassett Insurance Services, a subsidiary of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., he helped grow the company from a one-person operation—himself—to more than 1,200 employees and over 100 offices across the U.S., Bermuda, and the United Kingdom. By the time he retired in 1981, annual revenue had reached more than $112 million. He continued to serve as a consultant to the firm until his death.

Sterling founded Gallagher Bassett Insurance Services later in his career, with the full encouragement of his wife, Hope Bassett (March 19, 1918 – August 13, 1995). Starting a new business at that stage in life carried risk, but Hope supported the decision completely. Their partnership extended to all aspects of their lives—from work to family—raising their children with a focus on financial responsibility and community values.

The success of Gallagher Bassett Insurance Services helped make the Sterling Hope Foundation possible. The Foundation is committed to supporting, in perpetuity, organizations that expand access to education, the arts, and outdoor experiences. This mission reflects the values Sterling and Hope lived by and passed on to their family.