OUR STORY

Building a Foundation of Equality

Established in 1969, the Pinellas Community Foundation (PCF) was the brainchild of the late Clearwater banker and attorney Ralph Richards. A visionary leader and civil rights champion, Richards initially sought to bridge the gap in social services available to African-Americans stemming from Florida’s history of segregation.

Hailing originally from Minnesota, Richards modeled PCF after other successful community foundations he had seen enrich the lives of those living in northern states.

Every bank in Pinellas County with a trust department signed an agreement to serve as a PCF trustee. Over the years, the names of the original banks may have changed, but their commitment to meeting your charitable goals remains steadfast.

The original trust agreement required the Board of Governors to be appointed by a diverse range of public and civic organizations, establishing a system of careful checks and balances to safeguard the integrity of PCF’s fiduciary responsibilities. Today, the board of governors remains an appointed body of trusted advisors dedicated to ensuring your gift continues to grow and fulfill your personal philanthropic goals for generations to come.

Humble Beginnings Paved the Way for Extraordinary Outcomes

Joel Hunter, MD, provided the first gift of $150 in 1969 to cover initial operating expenses for PCF. By the late 1970s, PCF was bequeathed more than $1.5 million to establish funds benefiting the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts and St. Anthony’s Hospital. Through careful investment, these funds continue to provide a steady stream of needed support today.

PCF has been helping the community for over 50 years. Having weathered significant social and economic changes, PCF remains a beacon of fiscal fortitude with more than $120 million under our management, providing unwavering support for our community’s most deserving charities.

See how decades of generosity have positioned PCF to ensure our community’s charitable organizations (over 200 in the last year) remain vital to those who depend on their services.

Pinellas community foundation

Ralph Richards, Pinellas Change-Maker

Known for his generosity and unwavering commitment to social justice, Richards disdained any form of prejudice or discrimination. Among his many laudable professional achievements, including founding Clearwater Savings and Loan, Richards left an indelible mark on Pinellas.

  • Spent seven years working to personally raise $25,000 to provide a swimming pool for African-Americans living in Clearwater during the segregated 1950s.

  • Championed housing for at-risk individuals in the African-American community.

  • Encouraged clients to join him in donating to support historically black colleges and scholarships for African-American students graduating from Pinellas County high schools.

  • Founded Community Pride Child Care with his wife, Harriet. This daycare, which predominately serves underprivileged children, continues to receive support from PCF thanks to a generous financial endowment by the Richards.

  • Royalties from one of Richards’ most successful books were designated to benefit the Clearwater YMCA (now YMCA of the Suncoast).

  • Constructed Ralph Richards Towers to provide low-income housing for Clearwater senior citizens.

A History of Giving

1969

September

pcf beginnings

September 1969

First Organizational Meeting

PCF IS ESTABLISHED

First organizational meeting held at the Howard Johnson’s restaurant in Clearwater.

1971

1971

PCF is Granted Tax Exempt Status

TAX-EXEMPT STATUS GRANTED

1974

University of South Florida

1974

UCF Scholarship Fund Initiated

PCF’s FIRST OFFICIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Our first scholarship fund established to assist students attending the University of South Florida.

1978

PUBLIC CHARITY DESIGNATION CONFIRMED

1980

ralph richards

1980

Ralph Richards Dies At 86

FOUNDER RALPH RICHARDS, NOTABLE CLEARWATER BANKER AND COMMUNITY ACTIVIST, DIES AT 86.

1984

1984

PCF Membership Program Begins

MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM INITIATED

Membership program initiated allowing PCF to accept gifts of all sizes.

1984

1984

10-Year Scholarship Fund Begins

10-YEAR SCHOLARSHIP FUND

A 10-year scholarship fund assists 10 students with annual tuition for St. Petersburg Junior College Clearwater.

1990

PCF RECEIVES LARGEST GIFT TO DATE

PCF receives its largest gift to date: $5.6 million. Annual charitable grant recipients climb from 15 to 25.

1992

PCF’s FIRST HUMANITARIAN MEMBERSHIP

Betsy Liedtke’s $10,000 donation marks the first PCF Humanitarian membership.

1994

COMPETITIVE GRANTS INTRODUCED

Competitive grants for special projects are introduced, now known as Capital Improvement and Equipment grants.

1995

Largo Central Park Performing Arts Center

1995

Largo Central Park Performing Arts Center

LARGO CENTRAL PARK PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Construction begins on the Largo Central Park Performing Arts Center thanks to a sizable PCF endowment.

1998

1998

The Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals

NEW FUND CREATED

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals establishes a fund.

1999

FLORIDA ORCHESTRA FUND CREATED

Anonymous donor establishes a fund to provide annual income to The Florida Orchestra.

2001

$2 MILLION RECEIVED TO SUPPORT PINELLAS COUNTY ANIMALS

PCF receives a new bequest of more than $2 million to support needy Pinellas companion and marine animals.

2002

USF Health

2002

Warren J. Bowman Fund

WARREN J. BOWMAN MEMORIAL FUND ESTABLISHED

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

JULIE SCALES BECOMES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Tom Bruckman retires from nearly 23 years of service as PCF’s executive director. He is succeeded by Julie Scales.

2006

TPCCF BECOMES PCF

The Pinellas County Community Foundation shortens its name to the Pinellas Community Foundation.

2015

TOM BRUCKMAN RETIRES

PCF provides competitive grants to 65 Pinellas-based charitable organizations and support for 12 scholarship funds.

2016

Duggan Cooley

2002

Duggan Cooley Named CEO

DUGGAN COOLEY NAMED CEO

Duggan Cooley named CEO following Julie Scales’ retirement.

2017

PCF Donate To Feast

2017

FEAST FOOD PANTRY

PCF AIMS TO END CHILDHOOD HUNGER IN PINELLAS

Campaign to end childhood hunger in Pinellas County begins.

2018

SENIOR CITIZEN SERVICES ESTABLISHES NEW FUND

Senior Citizens Services establishes $10 million donor-advised fund at PCF.

2019

PCF CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY

PCF celebrates its 50th anniversary of support and service to the Pinellas County community.

2020

2017

20 Million in Relief During Pandemic

100 NONPROFITS FUNDED DURING THE PANDEMIC

PCF provides $20 million for pandemic relief to 100 nonprofits.

2021

Duggan at Glady Douglas Preserve

2021

GLADYS DOUGLAS PRESERVE

GLADYS DOUGLAS PRESERVE SAVED

PCF helps community reach $10 million goal to save the Gladys Douglas Preserve in Dunedin.