A $37 million bequest is second-largest in foundation's history
In life, Raymond Schubart Suckling was a dutiful engineering executive who lived simply, loved military history and cherished the legacy left by his parents. In death, the longtime Sewickley resident has become one of the region's most significant philanthropists, donating $37.1 million to The Pittsburgh Foundation, the second-largest gift in its 73-year history. The Foundation announced the gift on Jan. 24, 2018, with a press conference and news release.
The bequest, which was finalized in Dec. 2017, will provide annual grants of about $500,000 each to two charities named in his will: the Sewickley Public Library and the Sewickley Valley Hospital Foundation. The bequest also provides the same amount annually to the Foundation for programs and services under its 100 Percent Pittsburgh organizing principle – specifically benefiting low-income youth and families in the region around Sewickley.
Learn more about the fund and its purpose in these news articles:
Editorial: True philanthropy: The grace of Raymond Suckling’s $37 million gift. To all appearances, Raymond Suckling was just another retired engineer living a frugal and unassuming life in Sewickley. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Jan. 28, 2018.
Engineer who lived modestly donates $37 million to Pittsburgh Foundation. The foundation announced the gift Wednesday and said it is the second biggest gift in the community foundation’s history. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Jan. 24, 2018.
Sewickley man's $37M gift to library, hospital is Pittsburgh Foundation's second largest. Two Sewickley nonprofits will receive $500,000 annually as part of The Pittsburgh Foundation's second largest gift in its history, the foundation announced today. Pittsburgh TribLive, Jan. 24, 2018.