Kiwanians help tsunami victims through 
their Community Foundation fund 

Frederick, Maryland; January 12, 2005: The Kiwanis Club of Suburban Frederick Fund, one of over 460 funds held by The Community Foundation of Frederick County, contributes $2,000 to the Kiwanis International Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund. The Kiwanis International Foundation established this special disaster relief fund to assist those affected by the earthquake and resulting tsunami in south Asia. All funds collected provide direct aid, such as food, water, clothing, and medicine to children and their families with the most immediate and critical needs. This gift is part of the Kiwanis Club of Suburban Frederick’s ongoing international charitable commitment. 

"Kiwanis International is one of the largest community-service organizations dedicated primarily to helping the children of the world," said Kiwanis Club of Suburban Frederick President Ken Dell. "We are overwhelmed by the enormity of this disaster. There are 60 Kiwanis clubs within the affected areas, and we need to provide whatever assistance we can to our fellow Kiwanians and their devastated communities." President Dell and club members recommended that a disbursement from The Kiwanis Club of Suburban Frederick Fund go toward relief efforts.

The Kiwanis Club of Suburban Frederick turned to the Community Foundation to establish a donor-advised fund to carry out its charitable activities, particularly those relating to children and senior citizens in Frederick County and beyond. Since The Kiwanis Club of Suburban Frederick Fund is donor-advised, the club enjoys the flexibility of recommending where charitable disbursements might be directed, subject to approval by the Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees. In the event of this unprecedented natural disaster, the club directed resources to aid those in need. 

The Community Foundation promotes local philanthropy by establishing charitable funds that award grants to worthy nonprofits and scholarships to deserving students. To date, the Community Foundation holds over 460 charitable funds and has awarded more than $10 million in grants and scholarships. Over 200 of the Community Foundation’s funds are donor-advised. Any other civic organization, nonprofit, individual, family, or business interested in following the Kiwanis Club of Suburban Frederick’s example and starting a donor-advised fund may contact the Community Foundation at 301.695.7660 or visit the web site. The opening page of the Community Foundation’s web site also links to information on supporting the earthquake and tsunami relief efforts under “Special Notices.”