Guided by Generosity

A friend and trusted mentor

In the world of charitable giving and nonprofit governance, few understood the complexities of law and regulation better than Bruce Richard Hopkins (1941–2021). A prominent Kansas City attorney, scholar, educator and author, Bruce was widely regarded as the “Dean of Nonprofit Law.” His expertise shaped the field, his mentorship guided countless professionals, and his generosity touched lives far beyond the boardroom.

Bruce was also a cherished friend of Children’s Mercy. He served on the Children’s Mercy Gift Planning Council from 1998–2007 and was later named an Emeritus Gift Planning Council member, recognizing his exceptional service and influence.

Alicia Beck, UMB’s Director of Philanthropy, remembers Bruce as a trusted mentor. “Studying under and working alongside Bruce taught me that nonprofit tax law isn’t just about compliance – it is about protecting the mission behind every charitable dollar. His brilliance shaped how we practice the law, but his integrity shaped why we practice it.”

Supporting future care

While Bruce’s professional legacy is well documented and deeply respected, those who knew him best understood that his greatest satisfaction came from directing charitable resources toward the children and families who needed them most.

As the founding trustee of the Claire Giannini Fund, a San Francisco–based charitable foundation, Bruce helped direct more than $4.8 million to Children’s Mercy. These transformational gifts supported a variety of lifesaving initiatives — including the establishment and advancement of the Genomic Medicine Center, now one of the world’s leading pediatric genomic programs.

Thanks to Bruce’s early and visionary support through the Claire Giannini Fund, Children’s Mercy has become an international leader in pediatric genomic sequencing. His philanthropy helped lay the groundwork for Genomic Answers for Kids (GA4K)— the world’s first pediatric data repository for children with rare and undiagnosed conditions. Since its launch in 2019, GA4K has sequenced tens of thousands of genomes, enabling more precise diagnoses and accelerating the development of targeted treatments for children. To date, the program has identified more than 2,300 new diagnoses, bringing hope and clarity to families around the world.

A legacy that lives on

In 2023, Bruce’s legacy of compassion and innovation continued when his widow, Dr. Bonnie Buchele, established the Bruce R. Hopkins Endowed Fund for Pediatric Genomics at Children’s Mercy. This endowed fund ensures that Bruce’s lifelong commitment to helping others — and his passion for advancing pediatric medicine — will continue to transform lives for generations.

Bruce absolutely loved Children’s Mercy and all the activities he was able to be involved in there.

“After every visit, he returned home brimming with enthusiasm, sharing updates on remarkable progress and new ideas. Drawing on his legal knowledge and creative thinking, he sought ways to help ensure the ongoing hope and excellent work continued. We want to keep his legacy, so full of that generosity, alive," recalls Bonnie.

Continue Bruce’s impact

To support the Bruce R. Hopkins Endowed Fund for Pediatric Genomics, please visit his dedicated giving page: Bruce Hopkins' fundraising page for Children's Mercy.

To learn more about including Children’s Mercy in a will or estate, contact the Philanthropy Gift Planning team at giftplanning@cmh.edu.