Rotary Club of Bellingham Foundation

The Rotary Club of Bellingham Foundation (the Foundation) was established in 1998 as an approved 501(c)(3) tax-exempt ,charitable organization.  The purpose of the Foundation is to provide a secure, permanent fund into which the Rotary Club of Bellingham and/or its Members can put funds on a tax-deductible basis for service in the community, nation, and/or world.

The Foundation money is currently held in the following funds:

• Phil Millard Scholarship Fund, which awards 3 scholarships annually;
• Mischaikow Freedom Fund, to assist Russia in its transition to a free society;
• General Unrestricted Fund, which responds to grant requests from the Rotary Club of Bellingham for current-year Rotary projects; and
• Endowment Fund, to generate charitable income in perpetuity.

Particular receipts that go to the Foundation are:  Individual Club Member semi-annual contributions (General Unrestricted Fund), Member "Happy Bucks" for anniversaries and birth of a grandchild (Endowment Fund), or any other donation so-designated by the donor at the time of gifting.

The Foundation Board has established general investment guidelines and transferred portions of these funds into securities that meet those guidelines.

A particular long-term goal of the Foundation is to accumulate assets, particularly bequests, so that when invested those funds can provide a continuing income stream for charitable programs.  As a result, Members are urged to consider the Foundation in their long-term giving plans, and in their wills.

Rotary Club of Bellingham Foundation Directors

Five directors serve overlapping terms of three years.  Directors are appointed by the Rotary Club of Bellingham President.  Terms expire June 30 of the year shown.

Jon Sitkin (2011)

Pat Foley (2012)

Don Anderson (2012)

David C. Morse (2013)

Ken Culver (2013)

Rotary Club of Bellingham Foundation Officers

Ken Culver, President

Tommy Thomson, Treasurer

Jon Sitkin, Secretary