Daffodil Foundation History

In 1976, festival board members Jack Richardson and Ivan Jensen and festival manager Garvie Fink met to discuss the formation of a foundation to provide scholarships, initially for the queen and eventually other royal court members.  The first 501(c) (3) application was denied on the basis the festival was perceived as a beauty pageant, but the group persisted and brought in Queen Mother Bev Sawyer to collectively discuss with the IRS the purpose of the festival; to promote future opportunities for the young ladies of the royal court.  The group prevailed and the Daffodil Scholarship Foundation was established in 1976.  The seed money for the foundation was provided by donations from several festival board members.  Jack Richardson was the first foundation president and the first scholarship granted in 1976 was to Queen Renee Hopp of Rogers High School in the amount of $700. 

In the years to follow, with contributions from area businesses, civic organizations such as the Elks and Rotary Clubs, and numerous community members, the number of scholarships grew to include not only the queen, but the first two runners-up.  In 1984 Garvie Fink passed away and several surrounding festivals acknowledged his passing with memorial contributions.  His wife, Lee Fink, asked that those donations be used to establish an endowment fund for the foundation, which has now grown to a six figure sum. 

Over the years there have been many contributors, but one family has consistently supported the foundation; Past Festival President/Past Sir Boss Rob Wekell and his wife, Connie, continue to make numerous memorial donations annually.  It should be noted; The Western Washington Fair has sponsored the Queens Scholarship for many years and continues to pledge their support. 

In the mid 90’s, the foundation expanded their program to include scholarships for the entire court.  In past years, the foundation has received matching funds from the Puyallup Tribal Nation which has allowed them to significantly increase the scholarships. The foundation currently disperses scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 for each girl, and totaling over $50,000. 

This program is only possible due to the generosity of our local businesses, civic organizations and community members who continue to generously support this foundation.  Each year the foundation sponsors The Daffy Golf Tournament and Queen’s Scholarship Luncheon which helps to raise funds, but it can’t be stressed enough that no donation is too small.  They all count…….they all add up today’s success story. 

The Daffodil Scholarship Foundation is a separate 501(c)(3) from the Daffodil Festival.  The Foundation's sole function is to raise funds for scholarships for the Daffodil Festival Royal Court.