Our Mission

The mission of OGR’s charitable foundation is to fund, perform and/or support activities on behalf of the International Order of the Golden Rule (OGR). Its 10-member board of directors is responsible for identifying projects that advance the standards of funeral service or contribute to the compassionate care of individuals in need. The OGR Foundation, its board of directors and the whole of OGR thanks all of our donors for their generosity. Use the link below for a list of all of this year's donors.

Awards of Excellence Scholarship Program

OGR's Awards of Excellence Scholarship Program provides annual scholarships to mortuary students based on strong academic performance, funeral service experience and an essay describing the student’s commitment to serving grieving families with compassion, fairness and dignity.

"I aspire to be able to look back and feel the difference that I made with families during their time of need. I want to be able to say that I made personal sacrifices to be able to provide a family with their last goodbye. I want to pour myself wholeheartedly to the funeral profession, and the families that I will serve. I want to make a difference in my community and make the world a bit better just from being in it. I will desperately seek to provide each family I serve with the opportunity to feel supported, understood and able to give their loved one the service they desire."

Natalie Brahm
2020 Scholarship Recipient

Applicants must be enrolled in a degree program at an accredited mortuary science school or college, be scheduled to graduate in the same calendar year in which the award is presented and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Through the Order of the Golden Rule Foundation, the Awards of Excellence Scholarship Program recognizes promising mortuary science students who have demonstrated a passion for and understanding of the skills and commitment needed to provide families with meaningful funeral ceremonies.

Click here to learn more.

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Ways to Support

All OGR charitable foundation activities are funded entirely by members and their allies. The Order of the Golden Rule Foundation is a tax-exempt charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Your contribution is tax deductible.

Cash Gifts

A gift of any size will help enable us to provide even more scholarships to deserving young men and women interested in the funeral service field. You may make a one-time gift or a recurring gift to make an even greater impact now and in the future. You may make your one-time or recurring gift via credit card or check.

Contributions may be made in honor of or in memory of an individual. Contributors may specify an address to which the Foundation will mail a card acknowledging the donation in a person’s name. These donations will also be published in the next issue of OGR’s The Independent magazine and recognized on our Virtual Tribute Wall during the calendar year in which the gift was made.

Planned Gifts

Planned gifts enable you to leave a legacy by aligning your estate plans with your desire to support the Order of the Golden Rule Foundation. We can provide you and your legal or financial advisor with information and language that can assist you in making a planned gift to the Foundation.

"I plan on exceeding the expectations of my families by providing them with the most personalized, adaptive services I can. I know first-hand how personalization can facilitate the grieving process because of my own loss … and I hope to innovate how funerals are conducted."

James Norris
2019 Scholarship Recipient

Plan a Fundraising Event

By hosting a third-party event to raise money for the OGR Foundation, you can provide your friends, family or community with the opportunity to support the Foundation by through a fun activity you plan that sets a fundraising goal. This is a great way to engage individuals who are passionate about our cause and help raise awareness about the OGR Foundation and your business’s philanthropic involvement.

Amazon Smile

An effortless way to support the Foundation is to shop through AmazonSmile. Simply select the OGR Foundation as your charity of choice the first time you log in. Every time you make a purchase through AmazonSmile from then on, the Foundation receives a small donation. Lots of small donations from shoppers like you start to add up! Get started here.

Silent Auction Donation

One of our largest fundraising events for the Foundation is our Annual Silent Auction held in conjunction with our Annual Conference. Your donation of an item, desired service or experience will help us reach our fundraising goal for the auction.

Facebook Fundraiser

A quick and easy way to support the Foundation is by hosting a Facebook Fundraiser. Host it in honor of your birthday or any time of the year, then engage your network of friends and family to help you reach your fundraising goal. Your Facebook fundraiser not only raises funds for the OGR Foundation, but also helps raise much needed awareness around our cause. Creating a Facebook Fundraiser is simple! Get started here.

Questions

If you have questions or would like more information on you can support the OGR Foundation, please contact:

Wendy King
Executive Director
Order of the Golden Rule
(800) 637-8030, ext. 140
[email protected]

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Foundation Board

The Foundation's Board oversees all functions of the Foundation and maintains communication with OGR’s board of directors. OGR’s President appoints one OGR board member to simultaneously serve on the Foundation board. OGR’s President-elect has an automatic seat. Directors must be current members of OGR.

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