Most service organizations have Identifying Projects that help the organization realize its mission. From Soroptimist International down to the club level, one will find many innovative, heartwarming, and challenging projects to fulfill the Soroptimist mission, which is to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. Club projects reflect the interest, background, and skills of the membership, and give a club focus and local notoriety in their communities. 

FOUNDER REGION FELLOWSHIP (FRF)
Fellowship is the identifying project of Founder Region. FRF's mission is to advance the status of women through financial support to women in the final phase of their doctoral degree. This project gives grants to selected women attending universities within the bounds of Founder Region. A byproduct of this support is affirmation of the importance of the recipients' work and value as an individual.

How to become a Fellow:
•Contribute $1,000 to Founder Region Fellowship within two bienniums.
•Members can win fellowships by participating in raffles.
•Donations to Fellowship can be made by anyone, including non-members.
•Click here to set up a Monthly Pledge of $25 or more to become a fellow.

Soroptimist was formed in 1921 in Oakland, California, at a time when women were not permitted to join service organizations. Our name, loosely translated from the Latin, means best for women. Today, we have about 30,000 members and supporters in countries across North America, Latin America and the Pacific Rim. We are one of five federations that make up Soroptimist International, which has clubs in more than 120 countries throughout the world.

Soroptimist International of the Americas has about 1,300 clubs in countries across North America, Latin America and the Pacific Rim who work to economically empower women and girls. Soroptimist clubs receive assistance in their volunteer efforts by participating locally in programs developed and sponsored by the Soroptimist organization.

The Laurel Society is SIA’s prestigious recognition program for donors who contribute gifts totaling $1,000 or more. Since 1994, nearly 7,000 Laurel Society members have given over $12 million to help economically empower women and girls through our Dream Programs.

Monthly Giving
A monthly gift of any amount provides an efficient and reliable source of funding for Soroptimist’s Dream Programs. It’s an easy way to give and help ensure the women and girls who count on Soroptimist receive your ongoing support. Become a monthly giver today!
All monthly gifts count toward your recognition in the Laurel Society.

 

Other Ways to Give:
Employer Matching Gifts
Through a corporate gift match, your employer can multiply your donation to Soroptimist. Contact your employer’s human resources department for information and a matching gift form (if your employer participates).

SI/Eureka Laurel Society Members
Dona Ayres 
Kate Burns                                                  
Kris Chorbi                                        
Cori Reed                                          
Elaine Reed                                          
Debbie Thompson
Sandra Weyer
Amy Whitlatch

Contributors - not yet Laurel Society Members
Ann Jadro Bettiga    
Dyann O"Brien
Danelle Tegarden
Ann Weyer

Club Giving, empowering women and girls to live their dreams.
Your Soroptimist club can extend its reach beyond your local community. When your club makes a Club Giving contribution of at least 10% of what your club raises locally, you help ensure SIA can increase the number of women and girls who benefit from our global programs.

Download 10 Reasons to give at least 10%
Download Club Giving Benefits
Download Impact of Club Giving

Each year, Soroptimist clubs make Founders Pennies donations to celebrate the founding of our organization and support its global Dream Programs. Founders Pennies are a classic, time-honored tradition for clubs, and a creative way to help fund life changing programs. Founders Pennies help create a local and global relationship between Soroptimist clubs and members, and the women and girls who need our support. The tradition of giving pennies began in 1943. Clubs collected one penny for each year of Soroptimist’s existence and used the money to help re‐establish clubs in Europe that had disbanded as a result of pre‐World War II political conditions and the war itself.

How are Founders Pennies used?
Founders Pennies are used to fund the Live Your Dream Awards, Dream It, Be It, and other SIA programs that improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world. Founders Pennies represent approximately
10 percent of the total $1.7 million contributed to fund federation programs.

When did the tradition of Founders Pennies begin?
The tradition of giving pennies began in 1943. Clubs collected one penny for each year of Soroptimist’s existence and used the money to help re‐establish clubs in Europe that had disbanded as a result of pre‐World War II political conditions and the war itself. In 1946 the fund was renamed the Founders Fund. This fund provided international fellowships, scholarships and other awards to improve the status of women. Beginning in the 1960s, Founders Pennies began funding for the Youth Citizenship Awards, and now the Live Your Dream Awards.

Soroptimist International, consists of five Federations: Soroptimist International Africa Federation, Soroptimist International of the Americas, Soroptimist International of Europe, Soroptimist International of Great Britain & Ireland and Soroptimist International of the South East Asia Pacific. A global volunteer movement, we work together to transform the lives of women and girls. Our network of around 72,000 club members in 121 countries works at a local, national and international level to Educate, Empower and Enable opportunities for women and girls. 

Women and girls will achieve their individual and collective potential, realise aspirations and have an equal voice in creating strong, peaceful communities worldwide. 

Soroptimists transform the lives and status of women and girls through education, empowerment and enabling opportunities. 

The principles of Soroptimism are to strive for: • The advancement of the status of women • High ethical standards • Human rights for all • Equality, development and peace and • The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace 

2021-2023 SI President’s Appeal, ‘Opening Doors to a Bright Future"
'“Opening Doors to a Bright Future”, is the Soroptimist International (SI) President’s Appeal, 2021-2023, officially launching 1 October 2021.  Headed by SI President Maureen Maguire, 2022-23, the Appeal, now part of the broader, recently established Soroptimist International Foundation, springs from the learnings and success of many of the SI Appeals that have gone before; uniting Soroptimists, Clubs, Unions and the five Federations, with the aim of delivering tangible benefits to some of the world’s most marginalised women, girls, and their communities. With plans to establish Appeal projects in each of the five Soroptimist Federations, the launch project will take place within the Federation of South East Asia Pacific, in the nation of Cambodia.