Who is the Oregon Community Foundation?
Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) is the ninth-largest community foundation in the United States. It was established in 1973. Their assets are over $2 billion and they award over $100 million in grants each year. You can be assured they will do an excellent job of administrating the Education for Low-Income Rural Youth Fund for decades to come. They specialize in managing these types of funds. The assets of our fund are invested socially responsibly.
What is the EIN # and address of the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF)?
OCF is a non-profit organization and their EIN tax ID number is 23-7315673. Their address is: Oregon Community Foundation, 1221 SW Yamhill St., Suite 100, Portland, OR 97205.
How much should I give?
Any gift amount will be a great benefit. A gift of fifty thousand dollars will generate enough interest to support one university student each year. If you have the ability, please consider supporting two or more students.
What if I already have a will?
It is possible to add this fund to your existing will through a simple codicil. We suggest that you consult your legal counsel, tax advisor, and/or financial planner for help.
What is example wording for my will?
“I give to the Oregon Community Foundation, a non-profit organization located in Portland, Oregon, Tax ID #23-7315673, the sum of $__________ (dollar amount), OR ____% (percentage) of my estate, OR the residue (amount after all other gifts, debts, fees, and costs are paid), OR ____% of the residue, OR the following described property: __________, to the Education for Low-Income Rural Youth Fund – established by Friendship with Cambodia.”
Please Note: Friendship with Cambodia cannot offer legal, tax, or financial advice. Please consult your own legal counsel, tax advisor, and/or financial planner.
Why did Friendship with Cambodia create this fund?
From Bhavia Wagner: I started Friendship with Cambodia 20 years ago and am looking toward retirement in a few years, at age 70. Carrying forward this important work of supporting the higher education of disadvantaged rural youth is very dear to my heart. I’m happy that we will be able to do that through this newly-created legacy fund called Education for Low-Income Rural Youth Fund. Friendship with Cambodia will not be around forever, but this fund will last for decades, if not centuries, and will continue to spread kindness in the world.
Why is this fund needed?
There will always be children born into impoverished families in rural areas who are smart, very motivated to do well in school, sincerely want to improve life for their family, and dream of going to college. It’s a tragedy when they don’t get that opportunity. With a little support from us, these hard-working students can get a higher education and change the future for themselves, their families, and their communities. We have seen their success! They become social workers, nurses, doctors, mid-wives, teachers, agronomists, veterinarians, accountants, lawyers, managers, IT staff, and more. They realize their potential, become role models in their villages, and they contribute to the upliftment of society.
Why are you supporting more girls?
Four out of five of our sponsored students are female because education for girls has been proven to end poverty. Additionally, girls in Cambodia and many countries are disadvantaged. They are treated as subservient and have fewer opportunities than boys. When women are able to earn more, they spend their income on improving life for the whole family, including better nutrition and better health care. When women contribute to the family economy, their husbands respect them more and there is less domestic violence. When women are educated they make sure their own children also get an education. When men are educated, we do not see the same beneficial results. Yet, there are very capable boys living in rural poverty who really want to go to college, which is why we also support boys in university.
What happens if it becomes impossible to support students in Cambodia because of political strife?
The staff of the Oregon Community Foundation have been instructed to direct our funds to university education for low-income rural youth from another deeply impoverished developing country.
When will this fund end?
As long as the United States of America exists, this fund will continue. We expect this fund to last a long time, relieving suffering and bringing hope and bright futures to youth and their families.