Proud of Our Past, Appreciative of Continuing Support, Excited about Future Opportunities

Fifty years ago, on October 4, 1961, P.E.O.s took a cutting-edge step and
established the P.E.O. Foundation. The P.E.O. Sisterhood has always been fortunate to count among our members many women of great vision and determination—those who look to the future and see the potential a new approach might offer. So it was in the early 1960s when Dorothy Weller, past president of Supreme Chapter, urged the formation of a foundation as a way to encourage tax-exempt gifts and bequests from individuals in order to benefit the growth of P.E.O.’s charitable and educational projects and thus increase and broaden their impact.

Once members gave approval at the 1961 Convention of Supreme Chapter, Dorothy Weller accepted appointment as a “Committee of One for Tax Issues.” Utilizing her knowledge of tax law and with extensive research, she prepared the application to obtain tax-exempt status for P.E.O. Foundation. While her initial meeting with the IRS resulted in a denial, she was not to be dissuaded. In true P.E.O. fashion, she worked through the night in her hotel room to revise and strengthen her proposal. Her diligence paid off, as in a later meeting with the IRS, her persuasive arguments were met with approval. In September, 1962, P.E.O. Foundation was granted both charitable and tax-exempt status.

P.E.O. Foundation has certainly come a long way from that auspicious beginning. Its history is fascinating for what it reveals about the growth of assets, which in turn has allowed for significant distributions not only to the P.E.O. educational projects, but also directly to recipients of scholarships from permanently
endowed funds.

Over the years special attention has been paid to guiding the growth of assets and of the funds held and administered by P.E.O. Foundation. Initial growth was cautious and slow, but by its fourth and fifth decades, the Foundation’s assets increased exponentially, as did the number
of funds.

From humble beginnings of an initial $2,000 donation in 1961, the Foundation has grown to more than $75 million in assets. This growth has come from a combination of generous donations, gifts and bequests, as well as astute investing.

For donations or bequests given without designation, P.E.O. Foundation distributes these “undesignated funds” to the P.E.O. educational projects, based on their current needs.

• Since the Foundation’s inception, more than $15 million has
  been distributed through undesignated funds to the P.E.O. educational projects.
• Even with recent economic challenges, the average annual distribution of undesignated funds for the past three years has been more than $1.25 million. For donations or bequests given to establish a fund in perpetuity, the Foundation holds and administers permanently endowed funds with the income used for the educational and charitable purposes of our sisterhood, as directed by the donor.
• The first four funds were established during the 1963-65 biennium. Today, funds number more than 850!
• Through such permanently endowed funds, more than $12 million has been awarded to scholarship recipients and to the P.E.O. educational projects since the Foundation’s inception.

Since Dorothy Weller and the early trustees were willing to anticipate
future benefits P.E.O. Foundation could offer our sisterhood as a service
rather than a specific project, its purpose remains as relevant in 2011
as it was 50 years ago. It was established and exists today to provide
a convenient way for individuals to make tax deductible donations and
bequests to the qualified educational and charitable purposes of our sisterhood. Chapters give generously to the Foundation, as well. The primary function of the Foundation is to receive, hold, administer and distribute these contributions.

P.E.O. Foundation’s accomplishments over the past 50 years have been
remarkable. While much credit goes to Dorothy Weller and the original
trustees, to the trustees who have served over the years, and to the highly qualified staff—most credit and great thanks must be given to the P.E.O.s, chapters, families and friends who generously support P.E.O. Foundation’s mission. For no matter how good is the intention to be of service, the Foundation would not be able to function as it does if not for the donors who support it.

P.E.O. Foundation is especially grateful for the most generous donations and bequests that have served as milestones over the years. The Foundation welcomes gifts of any size from all P.E.O.s and their families and friends, with no amount being too small or too large. Every donation increases the impact and effectiveness of our P.E.O. grants, scholarships, loans and awards. Each gift is greatly appreciated by the women who will benefit from such support for years
to come.

As the Foundation moves forward into its second half century, the trustees anticipate increased opportunities which growth in assets and funds will bring to the P.E.O. educational projects and to scholarship fund recipients. We look forward to implementing new annual and planned giving options to benefit donors, as well as the Foundation, so giving to P.E.O. becomes second nature. Above all, the trustees are committed to continuing P.E.O. Foundation’s legacy of service to
our sisterhood.

This year, as we celebrate the Foundation’s 50th anniversary, we encourage individual P.E.O.s and chapters to show their support by giving a gift to the “P.E.O. Foundation 50th Anniversary Fund.” We are hopeful each P.E.O. chapter will provide $50 or more and that individuals will give generously as well. The amount raised will be divided equally among the projects, with the distribution to be announced in September at the 2011 Convention of International Chapter in
Saint Louis.

Donations to the anniversary fund should be made payable to “P.E.O. Foundation 50th Anniversary Fund.” Please send individual tax deductible gifts to the P.E.O. Foundation, 3700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312. Chapter gifts are to be mailed to the state/province/district treasurer (or paid assistant).