RCOB Foundation
 
The Rotary Club of Bellingham 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, its members, and others can contribute funds on a tax-deductible basis for service in the community, nation, and/or world.
 
The Foundation, founded in 1998, got its start when the Club raffled off a Volkswagen Convertible. It was won by Member Bob Gibb, who immediately gave it back to the Club which sold it, providing the first significant funds. Other Rotarians also provided endowments for separate scholarships. The Foundation has had two other major fundraising efforts. Later, Rotarian D.C. Morse spearheaded an initiative and personally contacted members to raise over $255,000 to endow the Club’s scholarships. In 2017, as a Club, $417,000 was raised by members. The fund really started to grow with those efforts and as of 3/22, the Foundation has almost $1.9 million for scholarships and Club service projects.
The Foundation currently administers the following funds:
 
  • Phil Millard Scholarship FundMischaikow Scholarship Fund
  • Other Named Scholarship Funds
  • Scholarship Endowment Fund, generating income in perpetuity for Bellingham area students.  As of March 2022, this fund has over $1 million
  • General Endowment Fund, generating income in perpetuity for special projects that may arise from time to time.
  • Designated Club Account, responding to grant requests from the Rotary Club of Bellingham for current-year Rotary projects.
  • Undesignated Funds contributed by members to be used for future projects.
  • Funds for the Club’s annual major projects.
Particular receipts that go to the Foundation are:
 
  • The contribution of Individual Club Member semi-annual dues (Designated Club Account);
  • Club Member designated “Happy Bucks” for anniversaries and birth of a child or grandchild go to the Designated Club Account unless otherwise designated.
  • Or any other donation so designated by the donor at the time of gifting.
The Foundation Board has established general investment guidelines, and invests available funds into securities that meet those guidelines. A particular long-term goal of the Foundation is to accumulate assets, including bequests to the Endowment Funds, so that those funds can provide a continuing income stream for charitable programs. As a result, Members are urged to consider the Foundation in long-term giving plans, and in their wills. However, funds can be contributed by anyone.
RCOBF Directors:
Seven directors serve overlapping terms of three years.  As noted in the RCOBF Articles of Incorporation, Article VIII, Directors are appointed by the Rotary Club of Bellingham President.  Terms expire June 30 of the year shown.
 
  • Scott Wilson (2024)
  • Dennis Williams (2024) 
  • Dave Blair (2024) 
  • David C. Morse, Jr. (2025)
  • Teri Treat (2023)
  • Sara Maloney (2025)
  • Nathan Twining (2025)
Current RCOBF Officers:
  • Teri Treat, President
  • D. C. Morse, Jr., Vice President
  • Dave Blair, Secretary
  • Dennis Williams, Treasurer
Address:
Rotary Club of Bellingham Foundation
P.O. Box 28113
Bellingham, WA 98228