How We Help

The Forrest Spence Fund strives to accomplish its mission of assisting with the non-medical needs of critically and chronically ill children throughout the Mid-South by focusing on 4 areas:

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  1. Meeting individual patient and family needs.

  2. Working with institutions to better recognize and meet non-medical needs.

  3. Connecting families with counseling and support groups and covering the cost of counseling for families with a chronically ill child and for bereaved families.

  4. Providing grants to families demonstrating need.

Scroll down to learn more about each area.

Individual Needs

The Fund strives to meet the individual needs of families who are coping with a critically or chronically ill child throughout the Mid-South. We work closely with hospital staff who refer families that are struggling to make ends meet. 

Though we strive to meet families where they are, we have three primary programs to cover basic needs:

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For any financial needs, please contact your social worker or child life specialist. They will complete and send in a referral form. If they are unfamiliar with the Forrest Spence Fund, then please send us an email to referrals@forrestspencefund.org to receive a referral form.

Institutional Support

The second focus of the Fund is to work with area institutions such as Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital, Becky and Spence Wilson Baptist Children’s Hospital and Regional One Medical Center all in Memphis, TN, Children's Hospital at Erlanger in Chattanooga, TN, and Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN to recognize and meet non-medical needs.

Here are our current hospital programs:

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Counseling

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The illness and loss of a child are some of the most difficult things a parent or a family can experience.  One of the goals of the Forrest Spence Fund is to connect families with counseling and support groups.  If a family loses a child or has a chronically ill child, we refer them to professional counseling and pay 100% of the cost.  

The counselors help families in dealing with the stages of grief, coping with the loss, and the impact of the death on their family.  This is such an important step in healing for the families in our community.

If you know an individual who could benefit from counseling that is dealing with the loss of a child or has a critically or chronically ill child, please send us an email at referrals@forrestspencefund.org

Grant Program

The FSF grant program provides financial grants to families with children who are suffering from illness and able to demonstrate need. 

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To qualify for a financial grant you must:

  • Live in the Midsouth.

  • Have a child with a chronic or critical illness.

  • Have a copy of your most recent tax statement (Form 1040 or equivalent) and your two most recent pay stubs.

  • Be able to attain 2 letters of recommendation in the healthcare industry.

    • A letter from your child’s attending physician or healthcare provider including your child’s diagnosis, prognosis, and plan of treatment.

    • A letter of recommendation from someone in the healthcare industry (physician, social worker, nurse practitioner, etc.) who can vouch for your family on your need and eligibility.

For more information and to obtain an application, please email referrals@forrestspencefund.org or send a written request to: 2112 Court Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104