The DRS Bruce & Lee Foundation concentrates its giving on large, capital-focused investments within its home region (Florence and surrounding South Carolina communities), prioritizing medical education and healthcare facilities, local civic amenities, and institutional capacity for education and food security. They favor big transformational grants to universities, county governments, and a small number of repeat grantees to fund construction, relocation, and program expansion rather than many small operating grants.
A $6.25 million grant to Francis Marion University Education Foundation for medical education initiatives sets the tone for Drs Bruce & Lee Foundation’s recent giving. The foundation uses large, capital-oriented grants to shape institutions in and around Florence, pairing higher-education investment with healthcare infrastructure, public amenities, and community capacity. In 2025, it followed that university commitment with a $2.5 million award to Medical University of South Carolina Foundation for construction of a cancer center, showing continued emphasis on medical training and treatment facilities. Alongside those marquee gifts, the foundation has backed county-level projects that alter the built environment of the region. Florence County received multi-million-dollar support for Lake City Lake expansion and Lions Park facilities, plus additional funding tied to park features and land for public support. The pattern is not limited to large public works: Trinity Collegiate School was funded to construct a Center for Educational Excellence, and Harvest Hope Food Bank received substantial support tied to distribution capacity. Across these grants, the foundation favors specific projects with defined physical or institutional outcomes rather than diffuse support.
Medical education and healthcare infrastructure are central themes. Drs Bruce & Lee Foundation gave $2.75 million to Francis Marion University Education Foundation in 2024 for medical education initiatives, and $125,000 in 2025 for the same purpose, while also granting $250,000 to Medical University of South Carolina Foundation for construction of a new hospital. They also invest in education capacity beyond medicine. Trinity Collegiate School received $1 million to construct a Center for Educational Excellence, and Florence-Darlington Technical College Foundation was awarded $100,000 for allied health scholarships for 2023-2024 and another $100,000 for allied health curriculum scholarships for 2024-2025. Community infrastructure is another recurring area. Florence County received $1 million for Lake City Park Lake in 2024 and $358,500 for Levy Park expansion in 2023, while Clarendon County was funded for the Turbeville branch library.
Typical grants cluster at a meaningful project scale: the 25th percentile is $20,000, the median is $42,696, and the 75th percentile is $100,000. The distribution includes a small number of very large awards, with several six- and seven-figure grants supporting construction, expansion, and capital improvements. Recipients also appear across multiple years, including Francis Marion University Education Foundation, Florence County, Harvest Hope Food Bank, and Medical University of South Carolina Foundation. The foundation makes program-related investments and gives locally within South Carolina, with grantmaking heavily concentrated in the state. The pattern leans toward project-specific support and institutional capacity rather than broad, open-ended individual giving.
$5.5M
$255.4M
$9M
$7.6M
Most grants fall between $20K and $100K, with a median of $43K.
25th Percentile
$20K
Median
$43K
75th Percentile
$100K
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Concentrated, high-dollar capital grants with a small number of recipients; several repeat grants to the same institutions; focus on construction/relocation and capacity-building rather than broad, diversified small grants.
Notable grantees: Francis Marion University Education Foundation, Florence County, Medical University of South Carolina Foundation, Trinity Collegiate School, Harvest Hope Food Bank
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly in South Carolina, which accounts for 94% of grants. Florence is the main recipient city, with awards reaching Florence County, the City of Florence, Francis Marion University Education Foundation, Harvest Hope Food Bank, Florence Museum, and the Senior Citizens Association. Other South Carolina recipients include Charleston, Columbia, Darlington, Manning, and Boone appears only for one disaster-relief grant. Outside the state, a single U.S. recipient appears in Washington, DC.
Recent grants point to medical education and healthcare infrastructure, parks and public space, higher education capacity, and food security. Examples include $2.5 million for a cancer center, $1 million for a center for educational excellence, and county park and library projects in South Carolina.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution centers around project-level support: the 25th percentile is $20,000, the median is $42,696, and the 75th percentile is $100,000. Larger awards also appear, including multiple seven-figure grants.
Yes. Francis Marion University Education Foundation received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Florence County appears in multiple years; Harvest Hope Food Bank received grants in 2023 and 2024; and Medical University of South Carolina Foundation appears in both 2023 and 2025.
Giving is local and concentrated in South Carolina. The state accounts for 94% of grants, with Florence serving as the main recipient city in the recent grants list.
Yes. The foundation makes program-related investments, alongside grantmaking that is heavily focused on South Carolina institutions and capital projects.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA FOUNDATION | CHARLESTON, SC | $2,500,000 | 2025 | CONSTRUCTION OF CANCER CENTER |
| FLORENCE COUNTY | FLORENCE, SC | $2,050,000 | 2025 | LAKE CITY LAKE EXPANSION AND LIONS PARK FACILITIES; AND DOCUMENTARY |
| CLARENDON COUNTY | MANNING, SC | $1,750,000 | 2025 | TURBEVILLE BRANCH LIBRARY |
| TRINITY COLLEGIATE SCHOOL | DARLINGTON, SC | $1,000,000 | 2025 | FUNDS TO CONSTRUCT CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE |
| SAMARITAN'S PURSE | BOONE, NC | $200,000 | 2025 | HURRICANE DISASTER RELIEF FROM HURRICANE HELENE |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | COLUMBIA, SC | $160,000 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR NEEDY FAMILY'S HOME |
| FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY EDUCATION FOUNDATION | FLORENCE, SC | $125,000 | 2025 | MEDICAL EDUCATION INITIATIVES |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA INDIAN WATERS COUNCIL | COLUMBIA, SC | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FLORENCE-DARLINGTON TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION | FLORENCE, SC | $100,000 | 2025 | FUNDING ALLIED HEALTH CURRICULUM SCHOLARSHIPS 2024-2025 |
| PEE DEE COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE | FLORENCE, SC | $78,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRED H SEXTON AMERICAN LEGION POST 1 | FLORENCE, SC | $70,000 | 2025 | RENOVATIONS/ IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LEGION BASEBALL FIELD |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR DISASTER AND HOME FIRE RESPONSE SERVICES PROGRAM |
| TOWN OF PAMPLICO | PAMPLICO, SC | $46,904 | 2025 | IMPROVEMENTS TO THEATRE PROPERTY |
| SALVATION ARMY | FLORENCE, SC | $30,000 | 2025 | 2024 EMPTY STOCKING FUND |
| SENIOR CITIZENS ASSOCIATION | FLORENCE, SC | $20,000 | 2025 | 2024 THANKSGIVING BLESSING MEAL FOR FLORENCE COUNTY SENIORS |
| SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOR SCIENCE AND MATH FOUNDATION | COLUMBIA, SC | $20,000 | 2025 | ADDITIONAL ENDOWMENT FUNDING FOR FLORENCE COUNTY STUDENTS |
| LAKE CITY CREATIVE ALLIANCE | LAKE CITY, SC | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR 2024 ARTFIELDS PROGRAM IN LAKE CITY, SC |
| THE MANNA HOUSE INC | FLORENCE, SC | $20,000 | 2025 | FUNDING TO SUPPORT INCREASED DEMAND FOR SERVICES |
| PEE DEE VISIONS FOUNDATION | FLORENCE, SC | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR 2024 CLEMSON BASKETBALL CAMP |
| HELP4KIDS | FLORENCE, SC | $5,000 | 2025 | FOOD SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN IN FLORENCE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS |
| FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY EDUCATION FOUNDATION | FLORENCE, SC | $2,750,000 | 2024 | MEDICAL EDUCATION INITIATIVES |
| FLORENCE COUNTY | FLORENCE, SC | $1,000,000 | 2024 | LAKE CITY PARK LAKE |
| HARVEST HOPE FOOD BANK | FLORENCE, SC | $500,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT RELOCATION OF DISTRIBUTION CENTER |
| FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY EDUCATION FOUNDATION | FLORENCE, SC | $100,000 | 2024 | BSN NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE 2023-2024 ACADEMIC YEAR |
| FLORENCE-DARLINGTON TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION | FLORENCE, SC | $100,000 | 2024 | ALLIED HEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2023-2024 ACADEMIC YEAR |
| FLORENCE MUSEUM | FLORENCE, SC | $77,517 | 2024 | GEN. FRANCIS MARION EXHIBIT |
| FRED H SEXTON AMERICAN LEGION POST 1 | FLORENCE, SC | $70,000 | 2024 | RENOVATIONS/ IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LEGION BASEBALL FIELD |
| CITY OF FLORENCE | FLORENCE, SC | $70,000 | 2024 | PICKLE BALL COURT CONVERSION AT TIMROD PARK |
| CITY OF FLORENCE | FLORENCE, SC | $62,500 | 2024 | FUNDING FOR WWII STATUE (US ARMY AIR CORPS) AT VETERANS PARK |
| SALVATION ARMY | FLORENCE, SC | $30,000 | 2024 | 2023 EMPTY STOCKING FUND |
| FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY EDUCATION FOUNDATION | FLORENCE, SC | $25,000 | 2024 | FMU FACULTY/STAFF LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT/RETENTION FUND |
| JONATHAN C SMITH FOUNDATION FOR BIPOLAR TEENS (DBA THE JONATHAN FOUNDATION) | COLUMBIA, SC | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LAKE CITY CREATIVE ALLIANCE | LAKE CITY, SC | $20,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR 2023 ARTFIELDS PROGRAM IN LAKE CITY, SC |
| SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOR SCIENCE AND MATH FOUNDATION | COLUMBIA, SC | $20,000 | 2024 | ADDITIONAL ENDOWMENT FUNDING FOR FLORENCE COUNTY STUDENTS |
| ARCHEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PEE DEE | FLORENCE, SC | $20,000 | 2024 | SNOW'S ISLAND SURVEY ARCHEOLOGICAL SURVEY |
| THE MANNA HOUSE INC | FLORENCE, SC | $20,000 | 2024 | FUNDING TO SUPPORT INCREASED DEMAND FOR SERVICES |
| SENIOR CITIZENS ASSOCIATION | FLORENCE, SC | $20,000 | 2024 | 2023 THANKSGIVING BLESSING MEAL FOR FLORENCE COUNTY SENIORS |
| HELP4KIDS | FLORENCE, SC | $5,000 | 2024 | FOOD SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN IN FLORENCE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS |
| WISDOM PLAYERS SENIOR THEATRE COMPANY | FLORENCE, SC | $5,000 | 2024 | FUNDING FOR DINNER THEATRE SUPPORTING SENIOR CITIZENS TALENTS |
| FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY EDUCATION FOUNDATION | FLORENCE, SC | $6,250,000 | 2023 | MEDICAL EDUCATION INITIATIVES |
| FLORENCE COUNTY | FLORENCE, SC | $500,000 | 2023 | WATER FEATURE |
| HARVEST HOPE FOOD BANK | FLORENCE, SC | $500,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FLORENCE COUNTY | FLORENCE, SC | $358,500 | 2023 | LEVY PARK EXPANSION |
| MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA FOUNDATION | CHARLESTON, SC | $250,000 | 2023 | CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HOSPITAL |
| AMERICAN BATTLEFIELD TRUST | WASHINGTON, DC | $200,000 | 2023 | PRESERVE BATTLEGROUNDS |
| SENIOR CITIZENS ASSOCIATION | FLORENCE, SC | $154,772 | 2023 | LSC BUILDING REPAIR AND HVAC |
| FLORENCE COUNTY | FLORENCE, SC | $100,260 | 2023 | ONE ACRE OF LAND AT I-95 CONVEYED TO FLORENCE COUNTY FOR PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF PEE DEE AREA | FLORENCE, SC | $100,000 | 2023 | GYM, ROOF, AND KITCHEN IMPROVEMENTS |
| FLORENCE-DARLINGTON TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION | FLORENCE, SC | $100,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY EDUCATION FOUNDATION | FLORENCE, SC | $100,000 | 2023 | NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS |
CONSTRUCTION OF CANCER CENTER
FLORENCE COUNTY
$2,050,000LAKE CITY LAKE EXPANSION AND LIONS PARK FACILITIES; AND DOCUMENTARY
CLARENDON COUNTY
$1,750,000TURBEVILLE BRANCH LIBRARY
TRINITY COLLEGIATE SCHOOL
$1,000,000FUNDS TO CONSTRUCT CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
FUNDING FOR NEEDY FAMILY'S HOME
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA INDIAN WATERS COUNCIL
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FLORENCE-DARLINGTON TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$100,000FUNDING ALLIED HEALTH CURRICULUM SCHOLARSHIPS 2024-2025
PEE DEE COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE
$78,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FRED H SEXTON AMERICAN LEGION POST 1
$70,000RENOVATIONS/ IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LEGION BASEBALL FIELD
SUPPORT FOR DISASTER AND HOME FIRE RESPONSE SERVICES PROGRAM
TOWN OF PAMPLICO
$46,904IMPROVEMENTS TO THEATRE PROPERTY
SALVATION ARMY
$30,0002024 EMPTY STOCKING FUND
SENIOR CITIZENS ASSOCIATION
$20,0002024 THANKSGIVING BLESSING MEAL FOR FLORENCE COUNTY SENIORS
SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOR SCIENCE AND MATH FOUNDATION
$20,000ADDITIONAL ENDOWMENT FUNDING FOR FLORENCE COUNTY STUDENTS
LAKE CITY CREATIVE ALLIANCE
$20,000SUPPORT FOR 2024 ARTFIELDS PROGRAM IN LAKE CITY, SC
THE MANNA HOUSE INC
$20,000FUNDING TO SUPPORT INCREASED DEMAND FOR SERVICES
PEE DEE VISIONS FOUNDATION
$10,000SUPPORT FOR 2024 CLEMSON BASKETBALL CAMP
MEDICAL EDUCATION INITIATIVES
FLORENCE COUNTY
$1,000,000LAKE CITY PARK LAKE
HARVEST HOPE FOOD BANK
$500,000SUPPORT RELOCATION OF DISTRIBUTION CENTER
BSN NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE 2023-2024 ACADEMIC YEAR
FLORENCE-DARLINGTON TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$100,000ALLIED HEALTH SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 2023-2024 ACADEMIC YEAR
FLORENCE MUSEUM
$77,517GEN. FRANCIS MARION EXHIBIT
FRED H SEXTON AMERICAN LEGION POST 1
$70,000RENOVATIONS/ IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LEGION BASEBALL FIELD
CITY OF FLORENCE
$70,000PICKLE BALL COURT CONVERSION AT TIMROD PARK
CITY OF FLORENCE
$62,500FUNDING FOR WWII STATUE (US ARMY AIR CORPS) AT VETERANS PARK
SALVATION ARMY
$30,0002023 EMPTY STOCKING FUND
FMU FACULTY/STAFF LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT/RETENTION FUND
JONATHAN C SMITH FOUNDATION FOR BIPOLAR TEENS (DBA THE JONATHAN FOUNDATION)
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LAKE CITY CREATIVE ALLIANCE
$20,000SUPPORT FOR 2023 ARTFIELDS PROGRAM IN LAKE CITY, SC
SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL FOR SCIENCE AND MATH FOUNDATION
$20,000ADDITIONAL ENDOWMENT FUNDING FOR FLORENCE COUNTY STUDENTS
ARCHEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PEE DEE
$20,000SNOW'S ISLAND SURVEY ARCHEOLOGICAL SURVEY
THE MANNA HOUSE INC
$20,000FUNDING TO SUPPORT INCREASED DEMAND FOR SERVICES
SENIOR CITIZENS ASSOCIATION
$20,0002023 THANKSGIVING BLESSING MEAL FOR FLORENCE COUNTY SENIORS
WISDOM PLAYERS SENIOR THEATRE COMPANY
$5,000FUNDING FOR DINNER THEATRE SUPPORTING SENIOR CITIZENS TALENTS
MEDICAL EDUCATION INITIATIVES
FLORENCE COUNTY
$500,000WATER FEATURE
FLORENCE COUNTY
$358,500LEVY PARK EXPANSION
CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HOSPITAL
SENIOR CITIZENS ASSOCIATION
$154,772LSC BUILDING REPAIR AND HVAC
FLORENCE COUNTY
$100,260ONE ACRE OF LAND AT I-95 CONVEYED TO FLORENCE COUNTY FOR PUBLIC SUPPORT
FLORENCE-DARLINGTON TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT