Great Falls Optimist Club

Our Criteria For Providing Financial Support

Thanks to increasing public awareness of the Great Falls Optimist Club, we are receiving numerous unsolicited requests for financial support from a wide range of organizations and individuals. In addition, members of the Club thoughtfully provide suggestions to the Board about organizations they are familiar with and that they would like us to support. Please keep the ideas coming! As you become aware of worthwhile organizations or projects that need financial support, please keep in mind the following criteria that we will use to determine if our Club could provide financial support:

1. The organization or project must benefit youth.
2. The recipient organization must be an IRS-approved 501(c) 3, as well as nondenominational and nondiscriminatory.
3. We want to support local needs as much as possible (within the Washington Metro Area).
4. Our contribution should reach/help as many people as possible.
5. Added consideration will be given when there is a personal connection for a Club member (friend, neighbor, personal experience with the organization, etc.).
6. We prefer to team/partner with local clubs and organizations when possible.
7. We will verify the legitimacy of the requestor and purpose/use of donation.
8. We will assess the degree of need and give more weight when the need is considerable and/or other sources of support are limited.
9. We will verify results of our donation.