Forrest Spence Fund Supports Families Across Tennessee
The nonprofit continues its 19-year mission to assist families of ill children in state hospitals.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Philanthropy
Founded 19 years ago in memory of Robert Forrest Spence, the Forrest Spence Fund has provided support to over 194,000 families across Tennessee. The organization assists families of critically or chronically ill children with non-medical needs at hospitals in Memphis, Nashville, and Chattanooga.
Why it matters
The fund was established to mitigate the financial and emotional toll placed on families during the prolonged hospitalization of a child. By addressing needs beyond medical care, the nonprofit provides critical stability to families navigating health crises.
The fund has completed 40,714 acts of institutional support and awarded 556 grants over its 19-year history. Additionally, it has provided financial assistance to 547 families for grief and medical-related counseling.
The players
The Forrest Spence Fund
A Tennessee-based nonprofit that supports families of critically or chronically ill children through non-medical financial and emotional assistance.
Le Bonheur Children's Hospital
A pediatric healthcare center in Memphis that served as the site of Robert Forrest Spence's final 55 days of care.
Robert Forrest Spence
The child in whose memory the organization was founded 19 years ago after he passed away following an extended hospital stay.
The details
The nonprofit offers resources ranging from bill payments and gas cards to warm meals and care bags. These contributions directly aid families of children who are receiving care in hospitals across Tennessee.
Timeline
The organization was founded 19 years ago following the death of Robert Forrest Spence.
Robert Forrest Spence spent 55 days hospitalized before his passing.
October 2026 marks Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.
Market Landscape
The Forrest Spence Fund operates within the charitable landscape recognized during Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Its longevity reflects a trend of specialized nonprofit organizations filling gaps in social services for families facing medical hardship.
Families in Memphis, Nashville, and Chattanooga facing medical crises may access support for non-medical expenses through the fund's partnerships with children's hospitals. These resources help reduce the immediate financial strain on households during a child's treatment.
The takeaway
The Forrest Spence Fund illustrates how personal tragedy can be transformed into a sustainable support network for families facing similar crises. Families dealing with pediatric health challenges can seek out similar institutional support programs to help manage non-medical stressors.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts by exploring Philanthropy news across the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Actionnews5.
