Donor Profile: Bruce Keenan

Bruce Keenan acts as chief financial advisor to TPRF, donating his time and valuable experience as a non-profit financial executive. He founded the Himalayan Children’s Charities (HCC) in 1999. The 501(c)3 organization provides quality education to orphaned and abandoned children in Nepal. Bruce grew the organization from two donors in 1999 to 180 supporters in 2010, who contributed over $110,000 in charitable donations. HCC currently supports over 70 children in Nepal. Thirteen of these children are currently studying at the college level. Keenan is also the founder and President of Hearts for Horses, a non-profit horse rescue organization based in Clarkesville, Georgia. Prior to his charitable work, Bruce enjoyed a highly successful business career as a CEO, financial executive, and entrepreneur.

TPRF: Please tell us about the various causes you support through your family foundation, the Keenan Foundation.

BK: We are required by the IRS to donate at least 5% of the total assets of the foundation each year. The Keenan Foundation supports TPRF, Himalayan Children’s Charities, Hearts for Horses (www.heartsforhorses.org), and other organizations that support animals, like the Humane Society. Several years ago we purchased a van for the local Humane Society so that puppies scheduled to be euthanized in Georgia shelters could be transported to northern states in the U.S. where they are adopted.

My main focus is on Himalayan Children’s Charities (www.hccnepal.org) where we help educate, care for, and support orphaned and abandoned children in Kathmandu, Nepal. I go there twice a year to check on the kids and staff and to develop/update our programs. We are one of the few charities working in Nepal that educates our students through to a bachelors or technical degree.

TPRF: What prompts you to support these causes? Is it partly due to a family tradition?

BK: Good question. It is not a family tradition. My father was an accountant and my mother worked part-time as an assistant librarian, so they never had the funds to do much charitable giving. I think it comes from my inner connection that encourages me to see that we are all in this together, and it gives me satisfaction to help others that are not as fortunate as I am. My wife, Susan, and I were able to attend the opening of the Food for People facility in Nepal, and we have been supporters of the program ever since.

It is incredible to be able to witness the impact that a healthy meal has on a child’s life and on the entire community.

TPRF: Why do you support TPRF?

BK: I support TPRF because of the vision the Founder had when he created the organization. Providing dignity, peace and prosperity to people around the world through various programs is what excites and inspires me. I am honored to be able to make a contribution to Prem Rawat’s vision and work. I also like the fact that a high percentage of the donated funds are used to deliver critically urgent humanitarian services.

TPRF: You’ve put yourself in a position to spend your time doing what you want to do. What is a typical day like in the life of Bruce Keenan?

BK: I do actually get to choose what I do each day, and the actions I choose are to try to have a positive effect on the world around me. I feel very blessed to have the life that I have been given and want to express my gratitude through my actions.

TPRF: What are your plans for the future?

I am taking it a day at a time. Currently, I’m working with TPRF as a financial adviser and would like to continue assisting in that way. I like this organization and the people I get to work with. It is a joy and pleasure to contribute to TPRF.