The Power of An Endowed Legacy Fund

Hortense (Hortie) Rogers had one son, Bruce, who sadly lost his battle with Leukemia as a young child. Hortie’s Trust provided for the establishment of a charitable endowed fund to be known as the Bruce Harrison Richter Leukemia Fund. She instructed Gulf Coast to use the funds to support Leukemia research and patient programs - in perpetuity. Gulf Coast has had the privilege of stewarding this fund for over a decade.

Gulf Coast is built on the principle of perpetuity. A permanently endowed fund ensures that the causes most important to our donors today will be provided for tomorrow. Over time, an endowment will grow through investments while it also generates ever-greater annual gifts to the organizations or causes of the donor’s choice.

Leaving a Legacy

Since 2013, Gulf Coast has awarded 46 grants from the Bruce Harrison Richter Leukemia Fund, totaling nearly $340,000. Hortie’s legacy, established in her son Bruce’s name, will continue to have a ripple effect for years to come.  “She took a tragedy in her life and made it into something so positive and inspirational,” said Gulf Coast’s Community Leadership Associate Hollie Mowry.

“Leukemia occurs most often in adults older than 55, but it is also the most common cancer in children under the age of 15. As a cancer survivor myself, giving moments of normalcy means everything during cancer treatment. You have days when you just want to feel like a normal person and providing that to anyone, especially a child, is profoundly amazing,” said Mowry.

The Bruce Harrison Richter Leukemia Fund has supported Camp Boggy Creek, a magical camp for children with serious medical illnesses, providing $15,000 for camper scholarships over the last three years. This safe, fun, and life-changing camp is provided at no cost, to youth from across the state of Florida. Through arts and crafts, swimming, horseback riding, archery, and more, Camp Boggy Creek enables a child to experience joy and normalcy in the midst of everything they endure during their cancer treatments. The children create unforgettable camp moments, while building relationships with their peers who have the same lived experience.

Hopecam came to Gulf Coast seeking funding for technology to ensure that kids hospitalized with Leukemia can stay connected with family and friends and keep up with their schoolwork at times when isolation is required by their treatment. Our team matched this request with the Bruce Harrison Richter Leukemia Fund and awarded Hopecam $7,000 to provide tablets, laptops, and WIFI access at no cost to families. Kids connect to their own world through Hopecam, which helps them feel supported and less isolated by their illness. The organization links children with cancer to the lives they had before their diagnosis, providing a bridge toward recovery and better quality of life during the treatments.

While Bruce’s time was tragically cut short, his love of life will live on through this fund forever. His mother’s selfless love is evident through the establishment of this fund and the faith she placed in Gulf Coast to ensure her son’s life would have a positive impact on children and families facing their own battles with Leukemia.

One person can change the lives of many through the establishment of a charitable endowment at Gulf Coast. We honor the opportunity to talk with you about the impact you can have on the causes you care about, now and forever. Click here to connect with a member of our Philanthropy Team.