Since 1926, Optimist International has been offering scholarships for oratory. In 1963,
essay scholarships were added. And In 1991, the CCDHH scholarships begin. Through 2009, the annual amounts for the scholarships were as follows: $3,000 for two oratory scholarships for each District, S 1,500 for one CCDHH scholarships and S650 for one essay scholarships. Since 1967, the Optimist International scholarships have been the same amount. According to the College Board, tuition costs, adjusted for inflation, have grown 31% over the past 5 years! As a general rule, college tuition rates will increase at about twice the general inflation rate.
Recognizing the need for support for these longstanding programs, the Optimist International Foundations Implemented the Pave the Way campaign In an effort to raise monies to assure and enhance scholarships support forever. The campaign formally concluded at the end of FY05, but pledge payments continue to come in. At the end of FY06, the campaign fund had reached $350,266 and had distributed $77,502 in scholarships.
The Foundation funds all Optimist International Scholarships annually, at a cost of approximately $250,000, primarily the unrestricted gifts, augmented by about S17,000 from the Pave the Way endowment and $5,000 for CCDHH scholarships from the Ames Family Trust endowment.
In December of 2006, the Optimist International Board of Directors authorized increasing all scholarships to $2,500 annually, effective 2009-2010. The enhanced scholarships will require an additional $111,150 each year.
Scholarships Naming Opportunities:
In order to assist in securing funding, Optimist International has authorized naming opportunities. A five-year $12,500 commitment an outright gift will allow the donor to name one scholarship in one District for a five-year period. Example: Optimist International Oratory Scholarship for New York/New England District # 1 in Honor/Memory of John and Jane Donor
Funding of an endowment will allow for permanent naming of an Optimist International Scholarships and may be funded with an outright gift or an estate gift or a combination of the two.
Life Income gifts or pledges may not be used for funding annual scholarships. Funds to be awarded in one calendar year must be received in the prior calendar year.
