Samuel Stedman was a Brantford businessman who, with his brothers, founded the Stedman chain of variety stores which operated across Canada.

Before his death, he established a charitable foundation, the Samuel W. Stedman Foundation. Some of the revenue from this Foundation is used to fund a bursary programme, the aim of which is to help and encourage young people to obtain the education and skills necessary to become contributing members of Canadian society.

Additionally, Stedman wanted to help charitable organizations within Brantford and Brant County, and in doing so, he established a community grant option under the same foundation.