History
Frances Bunnelle believed that people should care for one another according to their means. She quietly gave assistance to the disenfranchised and the disadvantaged. She valued the quality of life and she believed in the importance of community.
Mrs. Bunnelle created the Foundation prior to her death in 2000 in order to support charitable causes serving Georgetown County, South Carolina. After her death, her trustees adopted the mission to improve the quality of life for County citizens by focusing on causes consistent with Mrs. Bunnelle's values. The focus causes are addressing the root causes of poverty, meeting basic human needs, advancing equitable economic growth and environmental conservation, and encouraging positive youth development.
The first grants were made in 2004; over $600,000 went to 36 organizations. The Foundation began realizing its vision of a community where the hopelessness of poverty is transformed into opportunities for safe, healthy, and sustainable living. Grant totals have increased each year. In 2010 a total of over $2,000,000 went to 73 organizations.
The Bunnelle Foundation is an affiliate of the Coastal Community Foundation in Charleston, SC.
Mrs. Frances P. Bunnelle