The Optimist International Foundation, an international not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, was organized in 1971 to allow tax deductible contributions to be made for the purpose of providing support to the charitable, literary or educational purposes of Optimist International. A similar organization was organized in Canada in 1988. Together they are know as "The Foundations".

Over $150,000 in scholarships are awarded annually in public speaking contests involving over 40,000 boys and girls age 15 and under.

More than $60,000 in college scholarships are awarded annually in the Communications Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CCDHH) - an opportunity for hearing impaired youths to speak out.

Junior Optimist Octagon International (JOOI) youth organizations with 20,000+ members receive substantial support from The Foundations.

Over 1.5 million youth are served annually by programs funded by The Foundations.

Lifetime Recognition Levels
Accumulated lifetime contributions are recognized by presentation of lapel pins for individuals and banner patches for clubs at the following levels:

Tax and Charitable Status of the Optimist International Foundation
Optimist International Foundation is 501(c)(3) registered charity in the United States

2008-2009 Goal - $1 Million in Unrestricted Giving
Here's how YOU can help the Foundation reach that goal:

Dime A Day - $36.50 receive a Dime A Day lapel pin
Century Circle - Gift of $100-$249 and receive a static cling suitable for vehicle or office
                              window.
President's Club - Initial gift of $250 AND renewing each year for a $250 annual contribution.
                                   Donors receive a President's Club lapel pin.
Friends of Today - Minimum donation of $500 annually. Donor receives a signed and
                                  numbered collectors print.
Christian D. Larson Partners - one time $1,000 gift
William H. Harrison Society - A life-to-date giving of $10,000 AND contribute $1,000 annually
                                                      to the Foundation.
Friends of Tomorrow - Recognizes donors who have made a provision for the Foundation
                         through their estate plan. A bequest in a will; Naming the Foundation as a trust
                         recipient; gifting a life insurance policy; or establishing a charitable gift annuity.

Remember your club may make a $100 contribution to memorialize or honor of a member of your club or person in your community and receive a patch for your club banner.

Annual Club Recognition

• The OIF Round Banner Patch is presented to Clubs the first time they donate $5.00 per member. A sponsor Club of "friend" Club may make the firs $5 per Member gift to be credited to the new Club in order to begin the Club's Foundation Banner Patch tradition.

• Year bars and $10 to $100 or more Banner Tabs are presented to Clubs when they accumulate one of these dollar amounts per member within one year ( $10, $15, $20, $25, $30, $35, $40, $50, $60, $70, $80, $90, $100, etc.). These banner tabs are presented after the close of the Optimist administrative year.

• Districts that achieve $25,000 or more at the end of the Optimist Year receive an Optimist International Foundation Banner Emblem reflecting $25,000 achievement, and two banner patches embroidered with the names of the District Foundation Representative and District Governor.