The Richard and Mary Alice Frank Endowment supports PCF’s local grantmaking.
Richard & Mary Alice Frank were philanthropic during their lifetimes. Their generosity will keep supporting the Pasadena community in perpetuity through their named endowment, created by a bequest to the Pasadena Community Foundation.
Richard was a lifelong Pasadena resident. While attending Pomona College, He met Mary Alice Bentley. For 65 years, they enjoyed a fulfilling life together. He became president and CEO of Lawry’s Foods, Inc. in 1956. Mary Alice worked closely with her husband as he grew Lawry’s Foods and Lawry’s Restaurants into world-renowned businesses. Locally, Richard was celebrated for his creation of Lawry’s Beef Bowl, the famed annual event that treats the Rose Bowl competitors to evenings of food and merriment the week prior to the famed Tournament of Roses game.
Mary Alice established a successful interior design firm. She was a long-term member of the Pasadena Art Alliance and served for a number of years on the Pasadena Design Commission.
In addition to their successful businesses, the Franks were committed to the community in which they raised their three children. Their son, Richard R. Frank, served as the PCF’s Ambassador for Human Services during its 60th anniversary year, representing the family’s three generation involvement with AbilityFirst.
Created July 2015
The Power of Endowment
Endowments are the cornerstone of PCF’s mission to build hometown legacies. The corpus of each endowed fund is invested with PCF’s portfolio for long-term growth. Each year, the endowments generate the funds that support PCF’s local grantmaking, which enriches the arts community, protects our environment, provides health care and critical social services, and bolsters public education in Pasadena. Endowments are permanent legacies for our community; these funds will continue to grow and provide philanthropic support forever. Learn more about creating an endowment at PCF.
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