Olympic Club Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Olympic Club Foundation was established in the United States
in 1992 and provides support for athletic programs and physical culture
for disadvantaged youth.
The Olympic Club
has a long history of philanthropy, dating back to its origins in 1860. In December of that year, the Club held its first public exhibition, in Pratt’s Hall on Montgomery Street
, San Francisco, California
for the benefit of a young ladies seminary. During the American Civil War
years, fund-raising
events were held in support of the war effort
. One of the most noteworthy was one which netted over $1,000 for the Sanitary Commission.
In 1914, in the spirit of public service, the Olympic Club minstrels came to the rescue of the San Francisco Associated Charities, whose coffers were empty, and raised $20,000 through three brilliant performances at the Savoy Theatre. In 1917, the Club donated 10% of its net revenue for the duration of the First World War to the San Francisco chapter of the American Red Cross
. Similar charitable activities were undertaken during World War II
.
The Olympic Club has also generously supported its own athletes in international competition. For example, for the 1924 Olympics
, the Club sent 22 athletes to Paris and had the distinction of placing more athletes on competing United States teams than any other organization or institution. Throughout its history, the Club has been a strong promoter of athletic programs for young athletes and provided financial support through an informal “athletes fund” for those with potential for international Olympics competition.
The Club’s role in philanthropy was formalized in February 1992 with the creation of the Olympic Club Foundation, which was initially called “The Winged “O” Foundation.” There were seven original directors, all members in good standing of the Club. The OCF Board adopted the following mission statement:
“To grant funds and support programs that share the belief that participation in organized athletics enriches young lives and develops future community leaders.”
The Foundation was initially capitalized by the Club with a $25,000 grant. The challenge for the Board was to use this initial seed capital
to increase the Foundation’s resources and grant making capacity. For the first major event, Board members decided to hold a charity golf tournament
. It was also decided to offer non-Olympians the opportunity to play the Club’s renowned courses. The Foundation’s Board proceeded to publicize the event and recruit participants and sponsors.
The first Foundation golf tournament was held in 1994 and was very successful, attracting a full field of players from all over the country and raising $100,000 for the Foundation. Ever since that time, the Foundation’s two annual “Classic” golf tournaments have provided the majority of the Foundation’s grant funds.
In 1995, an annual fundraising campaign was initiated, specifically targeting the Olympic Club membership. Beginning in 2002, a silent auction to benefit the Foundation was added to the annual tennis banquet. Other sports have held events to benefit the Foundation. In 2004, a Planned Giving
program was initiated.
Most of the Foundation’s work is done by volunteers, supported by a small staff. In addition, over the years, a small portion of the money raised has been placed in an endowment fund
, which has grown along with the Foundation. The endowment is used primarily to generate income to support the OCF’s administrative costs, assuring that the vast majority of donated funds go directly to support youth athletic programs.
In 2000, the name of the Foundation was officially changed from “The Winged “O” Foundation” to “The Olympic Club Foundation” to facilitate the recognition of the OCF as the philanthropic arm of The Olympic Club.
The Olympic Club Foundation’s byline is “Giving Wings to Youth”. Most of the Foundation’s grants target disadvantaged youth growing up in challenged neighborhoods.
The Foundation’s grants are intended to help young athletes learn very important lifelong lessons. The Foundation believes that it is through competition on the athletic field, on the golf courses, on the tennis court
s, in the pool, on the track, on the squash, handball and racquetball courts, on the gymnasium floor and in other athletic venues that kids first learn about commitment, sportsmanship, fair play, teamwork, leadership and trust.
The Foundation believes that, without sports, young people seek other outlets, sometimes leading to drug and alcohol abuse
, gang activity, cutting classes and other anti-social behavior
, which not only threaten others but compromise their own development and future potential. The Foundation’s goal is to help change this situation.
The Foundation funds capital projects such as the refurbishing of the Ernest Ingold swimming pool
in the Haight Ashbury district of San Francisco, the resurfacing of the tennis courts at Golden Gate Park
, and the creation and/or refurbishing of school playgrounds throughout the Bay Area. The Foundation also funds sports programs, such as after-school basketball leagues in Oakland and Alameda County, a girls soccer team
in San Mateo
County, the First Tee
Program for junior golfers, San Francisco Little League
, and the Junior Giants. The Foundation also funds the purchase of needed sports equipment
such as uniforms, bats, balls, nets, scoreboards, etc.
When a young Olympian, Brian Ohleyer, lost his life in a tragic traffic accident
, the Foundation established the Brian Ohleyer Award in his honor. This annual award recognizes Bay Area
youngsters who demonstrate the high academic and athletic ideals exemplified by Brian’s life and also find time to contribute through community service
. The Ohleyer Award is presented annually and includes both scholarship funds for the recipient as well as a contribution to the school from which he or she is chosen.
In 2003, the Foundation officially created an “Athletes Fund” as a separate and special part of its grants program, through which it provides support to outstanding young athletes who have demonstrated their potential to develop into national and international champions in their respective sports. This continues the tradition started by the Club in its earliest days to help outstanding young athletes realize their full potential.
Since inception, the Foundation estimates that 60,000 Bay Area youth have benefited in some way from its grants. Each year the Foundation has increased its grant budget in order to increase its impact. The Foundation has set a goal for itself of granting $1 million a year by the year 2012.
The Foundation is supported by members of the Olympic Club and others who support its cause, including Bay Area companies and other foundations. The Foundation can be reached at 415-345-5230.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1992 and provides support for athletic programs and physical culture
Physical culture
Physical culture is a term applied to health and strength training regimens, particularly those that originated during the 19th century. During the mid-late 20th century, the term "physical culture" became largely outmoded in most English-speaking countries, being replaced by terms such as...
for disadvantaged youth.
The Olympic Club
Olympic Club
The Olympic Club is a San Francisco, California, athletic club and private social club with three golf courses located at San Francisco's border with Daly City, California. The club's main "City Clubhouse" is located in downtown San Francisco. The club's "Lakeside Clubhouse" is located just north...
has a long history of philanthropy, dating back to its origins in 1860. In December of that year, the Club held its first public exhibition, in Pratt’s Hall on Montgomery Street
Montgomery Street
Montgomery Street is a north-south thoroughfare in San Francisco, California, in the United States.It runs about 16 blocks from the Telegraph Hill neighborhood south through downtown, terminating at Market Street. South of Columbus Avenue, Montgomery Street runs through the heart of San Francisco's...
, San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
for the benefit of a young ladies seminary. During the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
years, fund-raising
Fundraising
Fundraising or fund raising is the process of soliciting and gathering voluntary contributions as money or other resources, by requesting donations from individuals, businesses, charitable foundations, or governmental agencies...
events were held in support of the war effort
War effort
In politics and military planning, a war effort refers to a coordinated mobilization of society's resources—both industrial and human—towards the support of a military force...
. One of the most noteworthy was one which netted over $1,000 for the Sanitary Commission.
In 1914, in the spirit of public service, the Olympic Club minstrels came to the rescue of the San Francisco Associated Charities, whose coffers were empty, and raised $20,000 through three brilliant performances at the Savoy Theatre. In 1917, the Club donated 10% of its net revenue for the duration of the First World War to the San Francisco chapter of the American Red Cross
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross , also known as the American National Red Cross, is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. It is the designated U.S...
. Similar charitable activities were undertaken during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The Olympic Club has also generously supported its own athletes in international competition. For example, for the 1924 Olympics
1924 Summer Olympics
The 1924 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VIII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1924 in Paris, France...
, the Club sent 22 athletes to Paris and had the distinction of placing more athletes on competing United States teams than any other organization or institution. Throughout its history, the Club has been a strong promoter of athletic programs for young athletes and provided financial support through an informal “athletes fund” for those with potential for international Olympics competition.
The Club’s role in philanthropy was formalized in February 1992 with the creation of the Olympic Club Foundation, which was initially called “The Winged “O” Foundation.” There were seven original directors, all members in good standing of the Club. The OCF Board adopted the following mission statement:
“To grant funds and support programs that share the belief that participation in organized athletics enriches young lives and develops future community leaders.”
The Foundation was initially capitalized by the Club with a $25,000 grant. The challenge for the Board was to use this initial seed capital
Seed money
Seed money, sometimes known as seed funding, friends and family funding or angel funding , is a securities offering whereby one or more parties that have some connection to a new enterprise invest the funds necessary to start the business so that it has enough funds to sustain itself for a period...
to increase the Foundation’s resources and grant making capacity. For the first major event, Board members decided to hold a charity golf tournament
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
. It was also decided to offer non-Olympians the opportunity to play the Club’s renowned courses. The Foundation’s Board proceeded to publicize the event and recruit participants and sponsors.
The first Foundation golf tournament was held in 1994 and was very successful, attracting a full field of players from all over the country and raising $100,000 for the Foundation. Ever since that time, the Foundation’s two annual “Classic” golf tournaments have provided the majority of the Foundation’s grant funds.
In 1995, an annual fundraising campaign was initiated, specifically targeting the Olympic Club membership. Beginning in 2002, a silent auction to benefit the Foundation was added to the annual tennis banquet. Other sports have held events to benefit the Foundation. In 2004, a Planned Giving
Planned giving
Planned giving is an area of fundraising that refers to several specific gift types that can be funded with cash, equity, or property. These gift vehicles are commonly based on United States tax law, but Canada, the United Kingdom, and other nations are beginning to establish similar laws...
program was initiated.
Most of the Foundation’s work is done by volunteers, supported by a small staff. In addition, over the years, a small portion of the money raised has been placed in an endowment fund
Financial endowment
A financial endowment is a transfer of money or property donated to an institution. The total value of an institution's investments is often referred to as the institution's endowment and is typically organized as a public charity, private foundation, or trust....
, which has grown along with the Foundation. The endowment is used primarily to generate income to support the OCF’s administrative costs, assuring that the vast majority of donated funds go directly to support youth athletic programs.
In 2000, the name of the Foundation was officially changed from “The Winged “O” Foundation” to “The Olympic Club Foundation” to facilitate the recognition of the OCF as the philanthropic arm of The Olympic Club.
The Olympic Club Foundation’s byline is “Giving Wings to Youth”. Most of the Foundation’s grants target disadvantaged youth growing up in challenged neighborhoods.
The Foundation’s grants are intended to help young athletes learn very important lifelong lessons. The Foundation believes that it is through competition on the athletic field, on the golf courses, on the tennis court
Tennis court
A tennis court is where the game of tennis is played. It is a firm rectangular surface with a low net stretched across the center. The same surface can be used to play both doubles and singles.-Dimensions:...
s, in the pool, on the track, on the squash, handball and racquetball courts, on the gymnasium floor and in other athletic venues that kids first learn about commitment, sportsmanship, fair play, teamwork, leadership and trust.
The Foundation believes that, without sports, young people seek other outlets, sometimes leading to drug and alcohol abuse
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
, gang activity, cutting classes and other anti-social behavior
Anti-social behaviour
Anti-social behaviour is behaviour that lacks consideration for others and that may cause damage to society, whether intentionally or through negligence, as opposed to pro-social behaviour, behaviour that helps or benefits society...
, which not only threaten others but compromise their own development and future potential. The Foundation’s goal is to help change this situation.
The Foundation funds capital projects such as the refurbishing of the Ernest Ingold swimming pool
Swimming pool
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, or simply a pool, is a container filled with water intended for swimming or water-based recreation. There are many standard sizes; the largest is the Olympic-size swimming pool...
in the Haight Ashbury district of San Francisco, the resurfacing of the tennis courts at Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park
Golden Gate Park, located in San Francisco, California, is a large urban park consisting of of public grounds. Configured as a rectangle, it is similar in shape but 20% larger than Central Park in New York, to which it is often compared. It is over three miles long east to west, and about half a...
, and the creation and/or refurbishing of school playgrounds throughout the Bay Area. The Foundation also funds sports programs, such as after-school basketball leagues in Oakland and Alameda County, a girls soccer team
Football team
A football team is the collective name given to a group of players selected together in the various team sports known as football.Such teams could be selected to play in an against an opposing team, to represent a football club, group, state or nation, an All-star team or even selected as a...
in San Mateo
San Mateo County, California
San Mateo County is a county located in the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California. It covers most of the San Francisco Peninsula just south of San Francisco, and north of Santa Clara County. San Francisco International Airport is located at the northern end of the county, and...
County, the First Tee
The First Tee
The First Tee, a youth development organization, impacts the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf...
Program for junior golfers, San Francisco Little League
Little League
Little League Baseball and Softball is a non-profit organization in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, United States which organizes local youth baseball and softball leagues throughout the U.S...
, and the Junior Giants. The Foundation also funds the purchase of needed sports equipment
Sports equipment
Sports equipment is a general term for any object used for sport or exercise. Examples of sports equipment include:-Exercise equipment:Examples for exercise include swiss balls, weights, equipment for the gym...
such as uniforms, bats, balls, nets, scoreboards, etc.
When a young Olympian, Brian Ohleyer, lost his life in a tragic traffic accident
Car accident
A traffic collision, also known as a traffic accident, motor vehicle collision, motor vehicle accident, car accident, automobile accident, Road Traffic Collision or car crash, occurs when a vehicle collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, animal, road debris, or other stationary obstruction,...
, the Foundation established the Brian Ohleyer Award in his honor. This annual award recognizes Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
youngsters who demonstrate the high academic and athletic ideals exemplified by Brian’s life and also find time to contribute through community service
Community service
Community service is donated service or activity that is performed by someone or a group of people for the benefit of the public or its institutions....
. The Ohleyer Award is presented annually and includes both scholarship funds for the recipient as well as a contribution to the school from which he or she is chosen.
In 2003, the Foundation officially created an “Athletes Fund” as a separate and special part of its grants program, through which it provides support to outstanding young athletes who have demonstrated their potential to develop into national and international champions in their respective sports. This continues the tradition started by the Club in its earliest days to help outstanding young athletes realize their full potential.
Since inception, the Foundation estimates that 60,000 Bay Area youth have benefited in some way from its grants. Each year the Foundation has increased its grant budget in order to increase its impact. The Foundation has set a goal for itself of granting $1 million a year by the year 2012.
The Foundation is supported by members of the Olympic Club and others who support its cause, including Bay Area companies and other foundations. The Foundation can be reached at 415-345-5230.