TCFMSL turns 30 and honors our founder, Bud Jordan
It is nearly impossible to name a facet of Martin County’s renowned quality of life that hasn’t been touched – and left for the better – by Bud Jordan.
Celebrating The Community Foundation
“When I think about when we started, we really did it backwards. We knew what we wanted to achieve, but we weren’t sure how to get there.”
– Bud Jordan, on creating The Martin County Community Foundation
What Bud Jordan wanted to achieve sounds straightforward, but it was in fact a tall order:
- Fulfill the wishes of donors to have their bequests fully benefit the causes that mattered the most to them.
- Keep philanthropic dollars working locally in our community.
Yet achieve it he did. Together with Chris Bentley, Les Combs, Evans Crary, Jr., Mike Crook, Tom Weber and Bill Fowler, he embarked on a labor of love that became the Community Foundation of Martin County.
Fast forward 30 years, and we stand as the embodiment of Bud’s vision. Today, the Foundation benefits over 200 charities and educational institutions here in Martin County and around the world.
As we enter our fourth decade, the Foundation has a new name, The Community Foundation Martin-St. Lucie, which reflects our growing reach and footprint on the Treasure Coast. We are ready to play a major role in this region as we bring fresh thinking to improving the environment, human health, education, arts and culture, job training and literacy: critical elements that are fundamental to a healthy, thriving community.
In our opinion? You didn’t do it backwards, Bud. You got it just right.