A Registered 501(c)3 Public Charity

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History Timeline

“The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity.”

Leo Tolstoy

2021

At CHARITYSMITH, we see a bright year ahead!

2020

CHARITYSMITH  continued to welcome new  clients and upgrade services while weathering COVID 19 and implementing remote work protocols.

2019

CHARITYSMITH team introduces a streamlined, online grant process improving customer service and security.   CHARITYSMITH experiences a record breaking year for new memorial funds – thank you to all!

2018

CHARITYSMITH thanks Executive Director Stacey Spain for her service to the organization and wishes her well on her move while welcoming new Executive Director  Rachel Rohlen

2017

CHARITYSMITH’s Staff and Board finalize and implement a TRUST platform for funds with more than 10K to invest a part of their corpus, following best standards in fiduciary managment.

2016

CHARITYSMITH thanks Executive Director Ashley Galleher for her service to the organization and wishes her well on her move while welcoming new Executive Director Stacey Spain.

2015
CHARITYSMITH’s founder Brooks Rohlen, MD retires after 20 years as president of the Board of Directors. Rachel Ward Rohlen advances from Executive Director to President and Ashley Galleher is promoted to Executive Director.
2014

CHARITYSMITH’s founder Brooks Rohlen, MD retires after 20 years as president of the Board of Directors. Rachel Ward Rohlen advances from Executive Director to President and Ashley Galleher is promoted to Executive Director.

2013
CHARITYSMITH distributes over $500K in scholarships, over the course of the year.
2012
CHARITYSMITH continues to grow. The website undergoes a complete redesign to accommodate growth and respond to the needs of our memorial fund administrators.
2010
CHARITYSMITH cares for over 80 memorial funds, including 65 created in the last three years. Exponential growth continues into the new decade as more people initiate memorial funds.
2009
Rachel Ward hired as Executive Director to oversee and manage continued growth and demand.
2007
CHARITYSMITH receives recognition as a 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation in the state of California. The Utah nonprofit is merged with the California nonprofit. The EIN remains the same.
CHARITYSMITH changes its tagline to “good lives, well remembered”, reflecting its expanding mission and purpose as a foundation.
2005
Inaugural Squaw Valley Prom is held at Olympic Plaza. The event sells out and the night hits legendary proportions in local and national media. Another CHARITYSMITH tradition is created.
2004
Anton W. Bakker Memorial Fund is created by his close-knit group of friends. The idea evolves during numerous discussions at Les Chamois in Squaw Valley, where in the afterglow of days spent skiing, Anton’s memory and absence would at times rise to the surface.
2003
The Douglas F. Smith Memorial Foundation changes its name to CHARITYSMITH Nonprofit Foundation reflecting two key principles: retention of the name “Smith” in the title of the foundation, and the concept of a CHARITYSMITH as one who works with charity in much the same way that a blacksmith works with iron or a goldsmith with gold.

 

CHARITYSMITH introduces its tagline, “What will we build together?”, reflecting a desire to assist others as they honor the memory of loved ones.

2002
Duke Peterson Memorial Fund is created by his former teammates and competitors who have gathered together at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City. Mops & Pops Memorial Fund is created to benefit underprivileged children. The first year’s purpose sells Pocket Protectors of Charity and raises $1200 for hospitalized children at Primary Children’s Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah.
2009
Board of Trustees is created.

 

Douglas F. Smith Memorial Foundation applies for and receives official recognition as a 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation in the state of Utah.

Gardner Family Memorial Scholarship is created with an endowment from Freddy Rohlen. The inspiration is to assist graduate students with the financial challenges of applying to medical school.

1997
Glenda Harr Memorial Fund created by Glenda’s son, Josh Harr & his friend Brooks. This is the second scholarship offered through the foundation. The vision develops of a foundation that hosts multiple memorial funds.
1984
Douglas F. Smith Memorial Foundation created by Doug’s son, Brooks. The foundation offers a single scholarship in memory of Doug.

 

The first ever Green Tie Dinner is held at Mama’s Cafe. Dinner consists of cold sandwiches. Nearly 40 people attend and our longest standing tradition is born.

1970
Douglas F. Smith is killed in a commercial airplane crash, Aspen Airport, Aspen, Co.
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