Program areas at Optimist International Foundation
Charitable, literary, and educational programs, which include grants to exempt organizations to assist with publication costs for magazines and articles (which are distributed to the organization's constituents), seminars and training for members of other exempt organizations, grant writing program, International initiatives and matching grants.
Club grant programs: grants for member clubs utilized for charitable, literary and educational programs at the direction of the Foundation in conjunction with support from the member clubs.
Oratorical contest scholarships: an annual speech competition with over 10,186 entrants. Scholarships are awarded in district level contests in the united states. Total expenses for the year ended september 30, 2023 amounted to $244,000, all of which were scholarships.
Youth club programs: scholarships to support youth club programs and activities. Total expenses for the year ended september 30, 2023, amounted to $135,000, all of which were scholarships made to individuals living inside the united states.essay contest scholarships program: an annual competition for high school students with approximately 3,893 entrants. Scholarships are awarded to individuals living in the united states. Total expenses for the year ended september 30, 2023, amounted to $97,500, all of which were scholarships.communications contest for the deaf and hard of hearing scholarships program (ccdhh): a program that awards scholarships to district winners. Scholarships are awarded to each individual winner and are payable upon receipt of the correct paperwork from an institution of higher learning. Total expenses for the year ended september 30, 2023, amounted to $42,500, all of which were scholarships made to individuals.