Belle Yates Bear, a devoted community volunteer and philanthropist, has spent decades transforming lives across Northwest Florida through her unwavering commitment to service. A native of Selma, Alabama, Belle made Pensacola her home in 1966 when she married lifelong resident Lewis Bear Jr. From that moment forward, she became a driving force for positive change in the region, defined by her generosity, integrity, and a fierce dedication to the well-being of others. Her legacy continues to inspire, empower, and uplift generations of Floridians.
One of Belle’s most impactful achievements is her instrumental role in founding the Program for Adult Learning (PALS) at The Arc Gateway. Developed in collaboration with Pensacola State College and local businesses, PALS is a groundbreaking initiative that provides individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to take college courses, develop life and career skills, and pursue independent, fulfilling lives. Thanks to Belle’s tireless advocacy and efforts in Tallahassee to secure recurring legislative funding, over 210 young adults have graduated from the program as of 2025 – many of whom have gone on to secure meaningful employment at dignified wages.
Belle’s passion for community-building extends to her foundational role with IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area, a collective giving organization led by women and focused on transformational philanthropy. Since its inception in 2004, the organization has awarded more than $17.5 million in grants to 165 nonprofit organizations across Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. As Emeritus Chair of Membership, Belle has been a cornerstone in growing IMPACT 100 into the largest chapter of its kind in the world. Her leadership and vision have helped amplify the mission to: know and serve the community; collectively fund significant grants to charitable initiatives; and set an example of effective philanthropy.
Long before IMPACT 100, Belle was already living that mission—quietly, consistently, and compassionately. Her leadership is matched by her hands-on approach: at 84, she remains as engaged and energetic as ever, showing up, pitching in, and leading by example. Her wide-ranging community involvement includes service on boards and committees for organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida, YMCA of Northwest Florida, ARC Gateway Foundation, Junior League of Pensacola, Catholic Charities, Girl Scouts of America, Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital, the Florida House, the Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, and the Governor’s Mansion Commission. As a guiding member of the Bear Family Foundation, established in 2002, Belle has helped direct millions of dollars in philanthropic support to nonprofits throughout the region.
In recognition of her extraordinary legacy, Belle has received numerous accolades, including the Florida Senate Presidential Medal, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos Community Player of the Year Award, the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce PACE Pioneer Award, Scarlett Magazine’s Philanthropist of the Year, the Junior League of Pensacola’s Business Woman of the Year, the ARC of Florida’s Ray Watson Brotherhood Award, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Living the Dream Award. Most recently, she was named InWeekly’s 2025 Person of the Year.