PNW Kiwanis Foundation - About the Foundation

The Pacific Northwest Kiwanis Foundation is a non-profit charitable corporation founded in 1985 and endorsed by the Pacific Northwest District of Kiwanis International:

· To promote the sponsored youth groups of the Pacific Northwest Kiwanis District. These include:

· Circle K (college/university students)

· Key Clubs (high school students)

· Builders Clubs (middle school students)and

· K Kids (elementary school students)

· To assist needy persons – particularly youth

· To assist worthy youth to attain vocational excellence

· To aid the handicapped and disadvantaged

Specific emphasis is directed to promotion and support of sponsored youth groups particularly through scholarships and leadership training.

What Makes Up the “Pacific Northwest”?

The Foundation’s focus is on children and youth in the Pacific Northwest, which consists of:

· Alaska

· Yukon

· British Columbia

· Washington

· Idaho (panhandle)

· Oregon

· California (northern edge)

Why Have a Foundation?

Because the Foundation relies primarily on accrued interest to support its programs, having a Foundation gives you a way to provide a perpetual legacy to the benefit of the children, youth, and sponsored youth of the Pacific Northwest. As a result of significant club and individual contributions, Foundation assets as of September 30, 2005, exceeded $524,000 US; prudent investments generated more than $50,000 in income in 2004/05.

What Programs Does the Foundation Support?

Each year the Foundation’s provides almost $20,000 US for scholarships and grants for sponsored youth members in the Pacific Northwest. Additional funds are available for other grants benefiting children and youth in the Pacific Northwest; Kiwanis clubs are welcome to apply for these grants.

What is the Tax Status for Gifts to the Foundation?

United States: The Pacific Northwest Kiwanis Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity registered with the Internal Revenue Service. Donations to the foundation are tax deductible under U.S. tax laws.

Canada: The Foundation is not registered in Canada and thus donations are not tax deductible under Canadian tax laws; however, donations from Canadians will be accepted at par.

What Percentage of the Foundation’s Income Goes to Administration?

The Foundation makes the most of your donations by containing administrative costs. Typically administrative costs such as meeting venues, copying, office supplies, etc., make up about 5% of annual income (see Finances). There are no paid positions (although the Treasurer is paid a small honorarium) and despite the large distances travelled to attend board meetings all board members pay their own travel expenses.

What Administrative Year Does the Foundation Use?

The Foundation's administrative year runs from October 1 to September 30.

Who are the Members of the Foundation?

All members of Kiwanis clubs in the Pacific Northwest are automatically members of the Pacific Northwest Kiwanis Foundation. As described in Article II of the bylaws, "The membership in this Foundation shall be limited to, and shall consist of, all the active, privileged and senior members in good standing of the Pacific Northwest District of Kiwanis International."

Who Manages the Foundation?

There are no salaried positions. The Foundation Board consists of 22 directors. Each year, 11 board members are elected to serve a two-year term by the Foundation Members (see above) through their elected representatives (the Pacific Northwest Kiwanis District Board). Directors come from throughout the Pacific Northwest (see Contacts for a list of where Board members reside).

The Foundation Executive consists of a President, Vice-President, President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Immediate Past President, all of whom are also directors. All positions except Secretary and Treasurer are two-year positions. All are elected by the Foundation Board.

When Does the Board Meet?

The Board typically meets three or four times a year:

· Fall meetings are usually held in conjunction with Kiwanis-Family Conferences (October/November), which are now held in Portland, Oregon. These are the first board meetings of the Kiwanis administrative year.

· Winter meetings are usually held in conjunction with the PNW District’s Midwinter Conference.

· A spring/summer board meeting may be held in May or June.

· The Annual General Meeting is held at the Pacific Northwest Kiwanis District Convention in August. At this AGM, a slate of officers and directors is selected for approval by the Kiwanis District Board.

For a list of the dates and locations of upcoming Kiwanis Family conferences, Midwinter Conferences, and District Conventions, click here. To confirm when the next board meeting is scheduled, contact the Foundation secretary.

How Do I Get a Seat on the Board of Directors?

Any director can nominate a Kiwanis member to fill a vacancy on the board. For a list of the current directors, see the Contacts page.

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