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.