Richard Hudson Webber was a man of vision. While planning the extraordinary growth of the family business, he also created three philanthropic foundations to perpetuate the family's civic and social contributions to the metropolitan Detroit community.

In 1939, Richard Webber and his wife, Eloise, established the Eloise and Richard Webber Foundation, and they added to it substantially over the years. Their daughters, Jean Webber Sutphin and Mary Webber Parker, and Richard's sister, Louise Webber O'Brien, also provided important contributions. In 1960, Richard and Eloise Webber established the Richard H. and Eloise Jenks Webber Charitable Fund, Inc. In addition, their daughters, Jean and Mary, and Richard's brother, Joseph L. Webber, provided substantial contributions. The Hudson-Webber Foundation was organized in 1943. Major gifts to it were provided by The J. L. Hudson Company and by Richard, Joseph, and Oscar Webber. Significant contributions also have been provided by Company employees and other members of the family.

During 1983, the Foundations decided that they could more effectively and efficiently fulfill their respective, but compatible, purposes if they merged. Combining the three corporate entities into one would enable better planning and administration, while reducing expenses. A merger also would eliminate public confusion regarding differences among the Foundations and would simplify the community's communications and dealings with the Foundations.

Accordingly, the Members and Trustees of the Foundations merged the Eloise and Richard Webber Foundation and the Richard H. and Eloise Jenks Webber Charitable Fund, Inc. into the Hudson-Webber Foundation, effective January 1, 1984. The surviving entity stands as proud testimony to its creators and continues to fulfill their plan for the family's civic and social contributions to the metropolitan Detroit community.

“Mr. Hudson believed in being liberal toward
many worthy charitable, educational and
philanthropic endeavors and it is my sincere
hope that this will be a continuing
policy through the coming years.”

                   ― Richard Hudson Webber, 1943