Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation announced today seventeen (17) charitable distributions totaling $6,333,756 to qualifying agencies or units of government whose programs and projects serve Florence and the surrounding area.  $62,019,582 has been granted by the Foundation since its inception in 1995.                

2009 Grants 

     Agency           Description                       Amount

American Red Cross General support for the local chapter.                   $50,000

Boy Scouts of America   Financial support for the 2009 scouting programs.   $25,000

Florence County         Partial funding of multi-year grant ($2.0M) for construction   $500,000

        of branch libraries in Olanta and Timmonsville.

Florence-Darlington Funding for Allied Health Curriculum Scholarships   $100,000

Technical College for academic year 2009-2010.

Educational Foundation  

Florence Symphony Funding to assist with the production of  The Nutcracker   $2,850

Orchestra         in collaboration with the S.C. Dance Theatre. 

Francis Marion University Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation Nursing Scholarships for   $100,000

Foundation         2009-2010 academic year.

Francis Marion University Support for the FMU Faculty and Staff Leadership   $25,000

Foundation         Development and Retention Fund.

Francis Marion University Partial funding of multi-year grants (totaling $15.0M) to       $3,875,000

                                        FMU for the Performing Arts Center project.    

Friends of the Florence         Grant of Foundation-owned property at the Florence             $526,780

Stockade         Stockade site on National Cemetery Road.

Harvest Hope Food Bank Purchase of two refrigerated trucks to improve the                $100,000

                distribution of donated food products in the Florence area.

Lighthouse Ministries Financial assistance to strengthen the ministry’s ability to     $50,000

        help Florence County residents meet basic needs.

Manna House Facility improvements and general support to help satisfy     $50,000

        increasing demand for meals by the poor.

Mercy Medicine Clinic         Grant to provide free prescription medicines for the        $30,000

         indigent.

Pee Dee Community Action Partial funding of building renovations and architectural       $50,000

Partnership                         design for the Homeless Child Care Project on Jarrott                                                                                            Street  

Regional Non-Profit Support grants to Southeastern Council of Foundations        $8,400

Associations and S.C. Association of Non-Profit Organizations.

Salvation Army         Contribution to 2009 Empty Stocking Fund Campaign.       $30,000

                                                              Subtotal           $5,523,030

Other Qualifying Charitable Distributions:

            Real property acquired for future projects and programs            $810,726

                                  Total 2009 Distributions            $6,333,756

The mission of Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation is:  “To advance the general welfare and the quality of all life in the Florence, South Carolina area and the surrounding region by providing economic support to qualified programs and non-profit organizations.”  In furtherance of its mission, the Foundation will support a broad range of charitable purposes including, but not limited to medical, health, human services, education, arts, religion, civic affairs and the conservation, preservation and promotion of cultural, historical and environmental resources.

Dr. Frank B. Lee, Sr., Chairman, reported that, in light of the deepening recession, the Board of Trustees had acted early in 2009 to approve and fund grants to a number of human services agencies that serve the needy within the Florence area.  Dr. Lee also noted that the Foundation had managed to keep pace with its capital grant commitments and its nursing scholarship programs.  The major projects scheduled for completion within the next twelve (12) months are the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center and the Timmonsville and Olanta public libraries. During 2010, construction is scheduled to begin on additional projects in which the Foundation is a major funder.  They include the Florence County Museum located downtown next to the Performing Arts Center and the new City of Florence Tennis Complex located off of Cashua Road.  

Dr. Lee also noted that although the Foundation’s endowment, like many others, had suffered during 2008 and through the first quarter of 2009, he was pleased with the degree of recovery through the end of the year.   The Foundation’s Board enters 2010 with renewed commitment to fulfill its mission to the maximum extent possible.

Grants program guidelines and other information about the Foundation may be obtained from the Foundation office by calling (843) 664-2870 or by e-mail:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .