Optimist International Foundation was established in 1971 as an international 501(c)(3) charitable organization, in the United States and in 1988, in Canada, as a registered charity to provide educational opportunities and charitable assistance for boys and girls involved in Optimist programs.
The Foundations are dependent on support from Optimist Clubs and Optimist members, the general public, businesses, corporations, municipalities, and foundations. All contributions from Canadians are used exclusively for program funding for Canadian beneficiaries.
The Foundations provide grants to Optimist International in support of a variety of programs, such as:
- the provision of scholarships for district winners of Optimist
Oratorical Contests and Communication Contests for the
Deaf and Hard of Hearing,
- the provision of scholarships to winners of the Optimist
Essay Contest,
- support of Optimist Youth Club Programs,
- the sponsorship of educational programs and
dissemination of information on programs including youth
appreciation and bicycle safety,
- the sponsorship of training to improve and expand
Optimist services to youth and communities.
Over 1.5 million youth are served annually by Optimist International programs funded by the Optimist International Foundations and
District and Club Foundation Representatives are appointed each year to assist the Foundation with its fund raising program.
Requests for further information on the Foundations should be directed to:
Optimist International Foundations
4494 Lindell Blvd. St. Louis MO 63108-2498
(314) 371-6000 * (800) 500-8130 * FAX (314) 535-7436
foundation@optimist.org * www.optimist.org
Optimist International Foundation of Canada
4559, boul. Métropolitain est St-Léonard Qc H1R 1Z4
(514) 593-4401 * (800) 363-7151 * FAX (514) 721-1104
