Optimist International Foundation
THE OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION, INCORPORATED IN FEBRUARY 1971, IS A FOUNDATION AND CHARITABLE CORPORATION ESTABLISHED FOR THE GENERAL PURPOSE OF SOLICITING AND RECEIVING GIFTS, DONATIONS AND BEQUESTS OF MONEY AND PROPERTY TO BE USED FOR THE FURTHERANCE OF THE CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS AND ACTIVITIES OF OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL. THE FOUNDATION ALSO ACTS AS A CUSTODIAN AND INVESTMENT MANAGER FOR VARIOUS FUNDS THAT HAVE BEEN DONATED TO OR ACCUMULATED BY OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL CLUBS. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$14.3M
+19.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$242K
+30.5% YoY
Grant Count
14
+7.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
+21.2% YoY
About Optimist International Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Optimist International Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in ST LOUIS, MO. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $14.3M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 14 grants totaling $242K. Net investment income was $601K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $14,334,284 | $11,982,405 | $11,587,997 |
| Revenue | $1,776,980 | $1,778,246 | $2,205,847 |
| Expenses | $1,884,300 | $1,644,415 | $1,538,569 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $601,303 | $447,101 | $769,145 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
64 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Optimist Club of Miami Beach North Shore Fl ($63,910), Optimist Club of Terre Haute in ($47,475), Optimist Club of Festus-crystal City (tca) Mo ($15,994).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NOON OPTIMIST CLUB OF MARSHALL INC TX MARSHALL, TX | YOUNG TEXAN PROGRAM; BACKPACK PROGRAM | $8,000 |
| OPTIMIST CLUB OF DANVILLE VA DANVILLE, VA | ORATORICAL CONTEST | $12,000 |
| OPTIMIST CLUB OF DENVER- MONACO SOUTH CO DENVER, CO | JR. GOLF | $10,157 |
| OPTIMIST CLUB OF FESTUS-CRYSTAL CITY (TCA) MO FESTUS, MO | ORATORICAL & ESSAY CONTEST; JOI CLUB | $15,994 |
| OPTIMIST CLUB OF GASTONIA NC GASTONIA, NC | YOUTH PROJECTS/PROGRAMS, SCHOLARSHIPS | $6,000 |
| OPTIMIST CLUB OF MIAMI BEACH NORTH SHORE FL HOLLYWOOD, FL | FOOTBALL PROGRAM INTERCITY | $63,910 |
| OPTIMIST CLUB OF TERRE HAUTE IN TERRE HAUTE, IN | CLOTHE-A-CHILD; JR. GOLF | $47,475 |
| OPTIMIST CLUB OF WINTER HAVEN FL WINTER HAVEN, FL | SANTA'S RUN FOR OUR KIDS | $11,850 |
| OPTIMIST CLUB OF OLATHE KS OLATHE, KS | SCHOLARSHIP/YOUTH PROGRAMS | $13,220 |
| OPTIMIST CLUB OF SPRINGFIELD-WESTSIDE MO ROGERSVILLE, MO | YOUTH PROGRAMS | $13,250 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TERI DAVIS | PRESIDENT | 5 | — |
| BEN DEREMER | PRESIDENT-ELECT | 5 | — |
| FATIMA PLATER | TREASURER | 5 | — |
| KEN GARNER | DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| DEANNA MORROW | DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| CRAIG BORING | SECRETARY/ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $125,855 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Optimist International Foundation?
Optimist International Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in ST LOUIS, MO. It holds $14.3M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is Optimist International Foundation?
As of 2024, Optimist International Foundation holds $14.3M in total assets with $1.8M in annual revenue. It awarded 14 grants totaling $242K in 2024.
Where does Optimist International Foundation operate?
Optimist International Foundation has awarded grants in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin.
What size grants does Optimist International Foundation award?
In 2024, Optimist International Foundation awarded 14 grants totaling $242K — an average of about $17K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Optimist International Foundation's EIN?
Optimist International Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7102928. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Optimist International Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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