1969
PCF is established. First organizational meeting held at the Howard Johnson’s restaurant in Clearwater.
1971
Tax-exempt status granted..
1974
First scholarship fund established to assist students attending University of South Florida.
1978
Public charity designation confirmed.
1980
Founder Ralph Richards, notable Clearwater banker and community activist, dies at 86.
1984
Membership program initiated allowing PCF to accept gifts of all sizes.
A 10-year scholarship fund assists 10 students with annual tuition for St. Petersburg Junior College Clearwater.
1990
PCF receives its largest gift to date: $5.6 million. Annual charitable grant recipients climb from 15 to 25.
1992
Betsy Liedtke’s $10,000 donation marks the first PCF Humanitarian membership.
1994
Competitive grants for special projects are introduced, now known as Capital Improvement and Equipment grants.
1995
Construction begins on the Largo Central Park Performing Arts Center thanks to a sizable PCF endowment.
1998
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals establishes a fund.
1999
Anonymous donor establishes a fund to provide annual income to The Florida Orchestra.
2001
PCF receives a new bequest of more than $2 million to support needy Pinellas companion and marine animals.
2002
Selma Graham establishes a Memorial Scholarship Fund in honor of Warren J. Bowman to support Pinellas County high school graduates pursuing careers in law and medicine.
2003
Tom Bruckman retires from nearly 23 years of service as PCF’s executive director. He is succeeded by Julie Scales.
2006
The Pinellas County Community Foundation shortens its name to the Pinellas Community Foundation.
2007
PCF celebrates a milestone of having awarded more than $20 million in scholarships since its founding.
2015
PCF provides competitive grants to 65 Pinellas-based charitable organizations and support for 12 scholarship funds.
2016
Duggan Cooley named CEO following Julie Scales’ retirement.
2017
Campaign to end childhood hunger in Pinellas County begins.
2018
2019
PCF celebrates its 50th anniversary of support and service to the Pinellas County community.
2020
PCF provides $20 million for pandemic relief to 100 nonprofits.
2021
PCF helps community reach $10 million goal to save the Gladys Douglas Preserve in Dunedin.
