Jim Pearce Establishes $3.4 Million Endowment

GREENVILLE, SC – A $3.4 million endowment has been funded by Jim and Kit Pearce at the Community Foundation to provide perpetual support for nonprofit organizations providing food, shelter, clothing and medications to those in need in the Greenville community. The James T. and Ellis A. Pearce Endowment continues a legacy of planned giving by Jim and his wife, Kit, who passed away in 2013. “This community has been good to us and this endowment will help people who are less fortunate now and in the future. That’s what’s important,” said Jim Pearce.

James T. Pearce, Sr. is a World War II veteran and former wholesale food and beverage distributor who has made Greenville his home since 1945. He and his wife, Ellis A. (Kit) Pearce, had three children, James T. Pearce, Jr., Sara Ellis Pearce and W. McFall Pearce.

The first grants from The James T. and Ellis A. Pearce Endowment will be made in September to the following organizations: GAIHN, Triune Mercy Center, United Ministries, Gateway House, Habitat for Humanity, Homes of Hope, Project Host, Harvest Hope and Greer Community Ministries.

Bob Morris, President of the Community Foundation, said “The Pearces wanted to ensure that their long tradition of generous support of our county’s most vulnerable people would continue forever. This is the largest lifetime endowment ever established with us and we are grateful that Jim decided to move forward with these plans now.”

The Community Foundation of Greenville is a public charity established in 1956 by visionary donors who sought to create a way to give back to their community and improve the quality of life for the citizens of Greenville County. Over the last 58 years, many people, from all walks of life, have joined in that commitment. As an organization, the Community Foundation seeks ways to make meaningful, sustained differences in the Greenville community.