About the Non-Profit Organisation Arno Tali Foundation
Arno Tali Foundation was established as an independent juridical fund by "Maaleht" Ltd in September 4th, 1993. On February 19th, 1999 the general meeting ruled to changed Arno Tali Foundation into a non-profit organisation and new statutes were passed.
Members of non-profit organisation Arno Tali Foundation are "Maaleht" Ltd, Estonian Quality Seed Ltd, Palamuse borough in Jõgevamaa and Audru borough in Pärnumaa. The foundation is governed by a board, the members of which are Heido Vitsur (Economy and Comminications minister`s counsel), Annika Poldre (editor of weekly Maaleht Ltd), Toivo Sikk(head of Education Centre`s programmes of Non-Estonian Integration Foundation) and Kalmar Kurs(Estonian charge d´affaires of Education in Broussel). The foundation has one employee, development projects manager Eugenie Brusnitsin, who is responsible for the management of projects, documentation and contact between sponsors, receivers of sponsorship and co-operation partners. She also informs media of foundation's activities. On August 23, 1999, Arno Tali Foundation was entered into the registry of non-profit organisations and foundations.
According to the statutes of the foundation, the aim of the foundation is to improve cultural and educational life in rural areas, support students and pupils from families in need with grants and scholarships, initiate local projects for young people and aid country teachers. The foundation is also aimed at finding means for supporting big families, promoting local cultural activities and sustainable life-style.
Arno Tali Foundation has launched several successful projects. Since 1994 "Arno-Teele" scholarship competitions for diligent country students have been held twice a year: spring-competition for high-school graduates and fall competition for students. Scholarship competitions have become the most important and worthy projects. As of this year 660 young people have received "Arno-Teele" scholarship. The number of applicants, however, has been several times bigger. The scholarship is for several students the only financial aid they can get during a school year, since they cannot apply for bank loans (due to their parents inability to be guarantors because of too small salaries).
Scholarships are awarded in a public competition, on the basis of received applications and the amount of scholarship fund. The decisions of the foundation's board as well as the names of scholarship winners are published in press.
In 1994 a competition for the financial support and title of Teacher Laur began. Every year in December three country teachers are awarded the aid and the title. There are currently 31 holders of the title.
In 1995 the foundation started a project "Toots' Bed", which was aimed at inspiring country schools to set up and restore school gardens in order to offer schoolchildren healthy and cheap school meals. This project fulfilled its purpose and ended in 1999.
Since 1997 Arno Tali Foundation has held a support competition for big families entitled "Healthy and Strong Family" in cooperation with Hansapank. Every spring 25 big families receive 15 000 kroons in one time support.
October 30th, 1999 the Estonian Symphony Orchestra conducted by Eri Klas played in a concert at Estonia concert hall. The proceeds of the concerts went to Arno Tali Foundation and country children had free admission to the concert.
During its years of activities, the foundation has established itself as a well-known foundation in Estonia. The foundation has always abided by its statutes. The principle aim of the fund is to support and defend the rights of talented country youth from needy and big families, offering those young people opportunities and means for development.
Arno Tali Foundation looks for new sponsors and high-principled executives who could make donations to the foundation in order to help promote educational aspirations of country youth.
Arno Tali Foundation registry code is 80107290 and the account number in Hansapank code 767 is 221001168610.