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Olson International Foundation

A Washington 501 (c) (3) Non-profit Corporation
The foundation was established in April 2006.

LEADERSHIP
Initially, the foundation Board and President were members of the Rotary Club of Gig Harbor. The Board has expanded to include members of other Rotary clubs and non Rotarians. The Board selects its own officers and meets quarterly to review fundraising and International project opportunities.
FUNDRAISING
Funding comes from both Rotarians and non-Rotarians. Since inception, the Foundation has raised about $200,000 from nearly 200 different individuals and organizations. Six persons have listed the Olson Foundation in their wills. The current endowment is over $150,000.

With the Foundation’s leadership, over $500,000 in projects have been completed. The Foundation partners with others, obtains matching grants and utilizes contributed services from communities to maximize leverage and to increase commitment to successful projects. Several water projects have been completed in the Camana valley of Peru and in the Northern Highlands of Guatemala.

Several Guatemala water projects have been completed partnering with “The Ripple Effect”, a Washington non-profit focused on working with northwest Guatemalan indigenous Mayan communities. These projects also involve participation by Rotary International, the local community government and the Rotary Club of Barrias, Guatemala. Because this is a mountainous area, water is piped from springs to the villages below.

The Foundation encourages support of International projects in District 5020 by providing an International Club of the Year Award. About 15 to 20 applications have been received each year since 2010.. The award includes a perpetual trophy and a $500 contribution to the recipient’s projects.
THE FOUNDATIONS FUTURE

Foundation is a permanent endowment. Through cash pledges, annual fund-raising campaigns, and bequests we plan to continue to build our capacity to “Lend a hand of hope” with financial and technical assistance to provide clean water and to alleviate hunger, disease, illiteracy, and poverty in the developing world.
We welcome your suggestions and assistance in our work.
Jeff Harris President 2015 - 253-884-4697 j_mharris@msn.com
Bob Martin President 2012 – 2015 253-851-7117 rotarybob@netjeff.com
Gary Glein President 2006 – 2012 253-514-8152 gaglein@comcast.net
Floyd & Sandra Olson International Foundation
(IRS EIN 20-4817547)
The Olson Foundation
PO Box 885 Wauna, WA 98935