Forrest Spence Fund
Forrest Spence Fund is a Memphis-based nonprofit founded in 2007 that provides free non-medical support programs—including care bags, bereavement services, counseling, and financial assistance—to families of critically and chronically ill children across the Mid-South.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersMemphis, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Forrest Spence Fund does
Forrest Spence Fund is a private non-profit charitable organization founded in 2007 by Brittany and David Spence following the death of their infant son Forrest, who spent 55 days at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The organization addresses the non-medical needs of families with critically or chronically ill children in the U.S. Mid-South region, delivering programs such as age-specific care bags, bereavement support (including a monthly bereaved mothers' support group), 6–12 session counseling services with 100% cost coverage, family benevolence (rent, phone, and utility payments), $5,000 of annual gas cards distributed through hospital social workers, hospital cafeteria meal vouchers, monthly snack bags delivered to specific departments, NICU developmental support items, sibling support interventions, and a Christmas assistance program. All programs are delivered free of charge to families, and the organization has served more than 75,000 families cumulatively since inception.
The organization operates through three regional presences — Memphis (headquarters, since 2007), Nashville (since 2017), and Chattanooga — and delivers the vast majority of services through embedded hospital partnerships with Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis and Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, with a minor NICU partnership at The Women's Hospital at Tristar Centennial. There is no proprietary technology platform; operations rely on a Squarespace-hosted website, standard email/newsletter tools, podcast distribution, and event management systems. Revenue is generated entirely through donations, with five distinct streams: individual and corporate donations, foundation/corporate grants (e.g., the $50,000 Madonna Circle Grant awarded for 2019–2020), corporate event sponsorships (including Campbell Clinic Orthopaedics and Northwestern Mutual), merchandise and book sales (notably the "Forest of Hope" book), and a robust annual events calendar headlined by the Forrest Spence 5K, which alone draws approximately 1,500 participants and contributes roughly one-fifth of the annual budget.
Leadership is led by co-founder and Executive Director Brittany Spence alongside co-founder David Spence, with a small staff (1–10 employees) that includes Program Director Marilyn Bridges, a second Program Director (Abby) who recently departed to St. Jude, and Development Director Elizabeth. The organization maintains ancillary partnerships with Christian Psychological Center and The Babb Center for counseling, plus in-kind donors such as Angel Dear, Icing Smiles, Chick-fil-A, and Gibson's Donuts. Brand and storytelling are anchored in the founding family's personal experience, which the organization leverages across earned media (Le Bonheur Express, StyleBlueprint, Fox News 13), the FSF Podcast (100+ episodes), blog content, and recurring industry recognition including the 2015 Champion for Children Award, 2018–2019 AFP Outstanding Young Philanthropist awards, and the 2024 We Believe in Memphis Program of the Year.
Forrest Spence Fund firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Forrest Spence Fund
- Legal name
- Forrest Spence Fund
- Website
- https://forrestspencefund.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Forrest Spence Fund is a Memphis-based nonprofit founded in 2007 that provides free non-medical support programs—including care bags, bereavement services, counseling, and financial assistance—to families of critically and chronically ill children across the Mid-South.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Forrest Spence Fund industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit Family Support Services
- NAICS
- Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (624110)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA), Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services (EDACALAH)
Keywords
Where Forrest Spence Fund is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Memphis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Forrest Spence Fund business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- Individual and Corporate Donations: The organization relies heavily on donations from individuals and corporations to fund operations and family assistance programs.
- Annual Events: Major annual fundraising events including the Forrest Spence 5K, cocktail party and auction, and mahjong events. The 5K alone brings in approximately one-fifth of the annual budget.
- Grants: Foundation and corporate grants including the Madonna Circle Grant ($50,000 in 2019-2020).
- Merchandise and Book Sales: Sales of merchandise and the Forest of Hope book.
- Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for events and programs.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Forrest Spence Fund product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Forrest Spence Fund is a nonprofit charitable organization that provides non-medical support services to families of critically or chronically ill children across the Mid-South. Core programs include Care Bags (age-specific tote bags with essentials for hospital stays), Bereavement Support, Counseling Services (6-12 sessions with licensed counselors at no cost to families), Family Benevolence and Financial Grants (rent, utilities, phone bills), Gas Cards, Meal Vouchers, NICU Development Center, Snack Bags, Mom's Bereavement Support Group, Sibling Support, Christmas Program, and a Unit Appreciation Program for hospital staff, delivered in partnership with Le Bonheur Children's Hospital and Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.
Product overview
Forrest Spence Fund is a nonprofit charitable organization (not a technology company) that provides a comprehensive suite of non-medical support programs for families of critically or chronically ill children in the Mid-South region. The core offerings include Care Bags (age-specific tote bags with essentials), Bereavement Support (supplies and support groups for grieving families), Counseling Services (6-12 sessions with licensed counselors), Financial Assistance (grants, gas cards, meal vouchers, rent/utilities payments), and Hospital Support Programs (NICU Development Center, Unit Appreciation). Additional programs include a Podcast, Christmas Program, and Sibling Support. The organization operates across three cities: Memphis (main office), Nashville (expanded in 2017), and Chattanooga.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Care Bags Age-specific tote bags assembled with essential and comfort items (toiletries, snacks, vending machine coins, journals, age-appropriate items) for caregivers and patients during difficult or lengthy hospital stays. Distributed to families with critically or chronically ill children.
- Bereavement Support Program Bereavement supplies for comfort and respite, including a bereavement cart and support services, provided to families walking the road of saying goodbye to their child.
- Counseling Services 6-12 sessions with a licensed counselor for families who have lost a child or experienced a severe diagnosis. Delivered via partnerships with Christian Psychological Center and The Babb Center (established 2018), with 100% of counseling costs covered by the Forrest Spence Fund.
- Family Benevolence and Financial Grants Financial assistance and grants for families with a critically or chronically ill child, including payments for rent, phone bills, and utilities, to alleviate financial burden during medical crises.
- Gas Cards $5,000 worth of gas cards given annually to social workers to distribute to caregivers needing transportation assistance to and from the hospital.
- Meal Vouchers Meal vouchers to hospital cafeterias (Vandy Cafe and Courtyard Cafe) provided to families for meals during their child's hospitalization.
- NICU Development Center A center filled with developmental items requested by Rehab Therapists that promote the health and well-being of NICU babies.
- Mom's Bereavement Support Group Monthly support group for bereaved mothers led by Executive Director Brittany Spence, meeting at the Forrest Spence Fund Counseling & Community Center in Memphis.
- Snack Bags Bags with snacks and water delivered monthly to Cardiology, Emergency, and Hematology/Oncology departments for families experiencing unexpected or extended hospital stays, including NICU partnership at The Women's Hospital at Tristar Centennial.
- Christmas Program Provides Christmas gifts, food, and other essentials for each member of the family for families assisted by the Forrest Spence Fund during the year.
- Unit Appreciation Program 100 bags with snacks, a pen, and a magnet delivered monthly to hospital staff to thank them for their service.
- Sibling Support Therapeutic intervention focusing on grief and coping for siblings who are processing a loss or the illness of a sibling.
- FSF Podcast Podcast series featuring staff members, family stories, counselor interviews, and event updates, covering topics such as grief, supporting families, and community impact.
- FSF Videos Video content featuring stories from Forrest Spence Fund's Memphis, Chattanooga, and Nashville locations and the families served.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 75,000 families served since founding in 2007
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Forrest Spence Fund
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Forrest Spence Fund technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Forrest Spence Fund partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Le Bonheur Children's HospitalcorePrimary hospital partner in Memphis where the organization delivers direct services including care bags, meals, counseling referrals, and bereavement support to families.
- Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at VanderbiltcorePrimary hospital partner in Nashville providing programs including bereavement support, care bags, counseling, family benevolence, gas cards, and meal vouchers since 2017.
- The Women's Hospital at Tristar Centennial NICUminorNICU partnership in Nashville for snack bags and family support services.
- Christian Psychological CentercorePartnership since 2010. FSF refers families who lose a child to professional Christian counseling and pays 100% of the cost.
- The Babb CenterminorCounseling ministry of First Baptist Church Hendersonville. Partnership established in 2018 to connect families with counseling in the Hendersonville area. FSF pays 100% of counseling costs for families who lose a child.
- Angel DearminorDonates blankies to NICU and PICU. Over 100 blankies donated. Two Angel Dear blankies were with Forrest throughout his 55 days of life.
- Icing SmilesminorProvides custom celebration cakes for families impacted by critical illness of a child.
- Chick-fil-A and Gibson's DonutsminorPartners with FSF to provide breakfast for families at Le Bonheur Family Breakfast events.
- Campbell Clinic OrthopaedicsminorPresenting sponsor of the 19th Annual Forrest Spence 5K.
- Northwestern MutualminorSponsor for events including Bourbon & Blues Cocktail Party and Auction.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Forrest Spence Fund competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Family Reach Foundation: Nonprofit providing financial assistance and case management to families facing a pediatric cancer or other critical-illness diagnosis. Closest comparable to FSF's family benevolence, grant, and counseling programs, with a similar hospital-partnership delivery model.
- Children's Hospital Foundation (Le Bonheur): The official fundraising arm of Le Bonheur Children's Hospital — FSF's primary Memphis partner. Directly comparable in mission (supporting Le Bonheur's pediatric patients and families), Mid-South geographic footprint, and shared donor pool in Memphis.
Others
- Be the Match (National Marrow Donor Program): Nonprofit facilitating bone marrow transplants for patients with critical illnesses. Comparable in serving families facing life-threatening pediatric conditions, hospital-embedded operations, and donor-cultivation through community events.
Broad incumbents
- Ronald McDonald House Charities: The dominant nonprofit providing family lodging and support near children's hospitals globally. Directly comparable to FSF in mission (non-medical support for families of critically ill children) and hospital-anchored distribution model, but operates at vastly greater scale and geographic breadth.
- Make-A-Wish Foundation: National nonprofit granting wishes to children with critical illnesses. Comparable in target beneficiary (critically ill children and their families), donor-cultivation model (events, individual giving, corporate sponsors), and brand-led fundraising approach.
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: The leading pediatric treatment and research institution in Memphis, where FSF operates. Comparable in mission population (critically ill children in the Mid-South) and proximity to FSF's primary market, and directly relevant as a competitor for program staff talent (as evidenced by Abby's recent departure there).
- Children's Miracle Network Hospitals: National fundraising organization supporting pediatric care at member children's hospitals, including Le Bonheur and Vanderbilt — FSF's two anchor partners. Comparable in hospital-anchored fundraising infrastructure and event-driven revenue model.
- March of Dimes: Large nonprofit supporting maternal, infant, and child health. Comparable in maternal/child health mission overlap, hospital-partnership distribution, and event-driven fundraising (March for Babies), though far broader in disease scope.
Emerging players
- National Pediatric Cancer Foundation: Nonprofit funding pediatric cancer research and providing family support resources. Comparable in beneficiary population (critically ill children and families), donor-development approach, and nonprofit operating model.
- Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation: Pediatric cancer-focused nonprofit combining research funding with family support services. Comparable in mission focus (critically ill children), event-driven fundraising (lemonade stands, runs), and family-facing support programs, though narrower in disease scope.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Forrest Spence Fund social profiles
Digital presenceForrest Spence Fund financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Forrest Spence Fund leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Forrest Spence Fund funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Forrest Spence Fund M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Forrest Spence Fund
What does Forrest Spence Fund do?
Forrest Spence Fund is a nonprofit charitable organization that provides non-medical support services to families of critically or chronically ill children across the Mid-South. Core programs include Care Bags (age-specific tote bags with essentials for hospital stays), Bereavement Support, Counseling Services (6-12 sessions with licensed counselors at no cost to families), Family Benevolence and Financial Grants (rent, utilities, phone bills), Gas Cards, Meal Vouchers, NICU Development Center, Snack Bags, Mom's Bereavement Support Group, Sibling Support, Christmas Program, and a Unit Appreciation Program for hospital staff, delivered in partnership with Le Bonheur Children's Hospital and Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.
Is Forrest Spence Fund a public or private company?
Forrest Spence Fund is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Forrest Spence Fund founded?
Forrest Spence Fund was founded in 2007. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Forrest Spence Fund based?
Forrest Spence Fund is headquartered in Memphis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Forrest Spence Fund make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual and Corporate Donations are the primary driver. The others are annual Events, grants, merchandise and Book Sales and sponsorships.
Who are Forrest Spence Fund's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Family Reach Foundation and Children's Hospital Foundation (Le Bonheur). Be the Match (National Marrow Donor Program) is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Ronald McDonald House Charities, Make-A-Wish Foundation, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and March of Dimes. Emerging players are National Pediatric Cancer Foundation and Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.
Does Forrest Spence Fund have an API?
No public API is recorded for Forrest Spence Fund.
What industry is Forrest Spence Fund in?
Forrest Spence Fund's product category is Nonprofit Family Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGACAD, Mental Health & Crisis Support Services, with a secondary code of BPAGACAA, Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS). Its NAICS code is 624190 and its SIC code is 8300.