The Edmonds
Rotary Foundation (Foundation) was incorporated as a non-profit in the state of
Washington in
1994 and certified as a 501 (c) (3) by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in 2003. All members of the Rotary Club of Edmonds
(Club) are automatically members of the Foundation.
The Edmonds Rotary Foundation
provides a means for individuals and organizations to make tax deductible
contributions in support of local and worldwide Rotary service programs. The
Foundation provides funding for many of the charitable activities of the Club
and special projects upon request of the Club’s Board of Directors.
The Foundation is managed by a five
member Board of Directors (Board). The President, President-Elect, and
Treasurer of the Club plus two members elected at large by the Club constitute
the Board. It is their responsibility to prudently and competently manage the
funds within the Foundation, abiding by all rules of the IRS relevant to 501 (c)
(3) non-profit organizations.
There are three major accounts
within the Foundation. Namely: Scholarship, Unrestricted (including temporarily
restricted), and Endowment.
The Scholarship Fund is used to provide funding
for college scholarships to high school seniors in the Edmonds School District
on an annual basis. The Club’s scholarship program has been awarding 12 to 15
individual scholarships at a level of $1200 to $1500 each.
The Unrestricted Fund may be used for any
charitable purpose approved by the Board. It covers minimal operating expenses.
Within this fund, a donor may restrict his contribution for a designated
charitable purpose. For example, one of the major chartable projects of the
Club is Trinity Place
providing housing for women and children in difficult and/or abusive situation
up to one year. This project is a partnership between the YWCA, Rick Steves of Europe through the Back Door, and the Club. A donor may
wish to make a tax exempt contribution to this specific project.
The Endowment Fund is a permanent fund in which
the capital cannot be spent, but the income it generates is available for
designated or other charitable purposes.
A donor
recognition award program was established in 2009. With a contribution of $100
or more in a given year, the donor is recognized as a Friend of the Foundation.
For a donation of $500 in a given year, there is the Ambassador Award. And upon
a cumulative contribution of $1000, the donor is recognized as a David Stern
Fellow.
The
Foundation may serve a valuable purpose upon the death of a member or loved one
by providing a vehicle for receiving tax deductible donations in lieu of
flowers. Donors would designate their contribution in memory of the deceased and
the family would be notified.
When
choosing to support Rotary’s theme of “Service Above Self” in its many
charitable projects, contributions may
be made to The Edmonds Rotary Foundation and mailed to Post Office Box 115, Edmonds,
Wa. 98020 or contacting
425.771.1744.