The Bear Family Foundation continued their philanthropic giving in 2020 by granting $247,714 to local charities. The 2020 donation grows their total giving since the foundation was established in 2007 to $8,402,281.
“Based on the tragic occurrences during 2020, it was a painful experience for our board to have read the applications from so many worthwhile not-for-profit organizations,” the board wrote in its written release. “Due to Covid 19, many were unable to do major fundraising during 2020, leaving them without resources to meet the additional demand. We hope that our giving will help heal lives in Northwest Florida.”
The grants were awarded to 52 agencies.
Members of the Foundation are Cindi Bear, David Bear, Lewis Bear III, Jennifer Bear, Chad Bonner, Cindi Bonner, Lauren Bonner, Belle Bear and Lewis Bear Jr.
Grants were awarded to Autism Pensacola, Inc., Big Brothers Big Sisters of NW FL, Big Brothers Big Sisters of NW FL, Creative Learning Academy of Pensacola, ECPS Foundation – Roy Hyatt Environmental Center, ECPS Foundation – Take Stock in Children, Every Child a Reader in Escambia ECARE, FoodRaising Friends, Inc., Greather Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, Inc., Gulf Coast Kid’s House, Health & Hope Clinic, Mr. Robbins’ Neighborhood, My Brothers & Sisters, Nokuse Education, Inc., Opportunity Place, Inc., Pace Center for Girls, Inc., Pathways for Change, Inc., Pensacola Catholic High School, Pensacola Little Theatre, Inc., Pensacola MESS Hall, Pensacola Opera, Pensacola’s Promise – Chain Reaction, Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, Ronald McDonald House Charities of NW FL, Special Olympics Florida Inc., St. Andrew Bay Center, Inc./The Arc of the Bay, Studer Community Institute, The ARC Gateway Foundation, The Global Corner, Inc., Valerie’s House, Inc., West Florida Historic Preservation, Inc. PMA, Wildlife Sanctuary of NW Florida, Inc., Young Men’s Christian Organization – YMCA of NW FL.
