Founding Documents

TO BE CREATED UNDER MY WILL

I am setting forth below some of my thought for your guidance in administering the charitable trust. Realizing as I do the uncertainties of the future, I want my trustees to be able to exercise broad discretion in shaping and carrying out charitable programs which can be tailored to fit changing conditions and problems. Accordingly, the following are offered as suggestions only and are not to be viewed as directives or instructions which are binding on my trustees.

In general, I suggest that the trust favor programs which promote useful knowledge concerning the production, distribution and consumption of wealth and the various related factors of the economy, which foster scientific research, which tend to increase the power of mind over matter, and which serve the needs, conveniences, and pleasures of life.

Among the activities to be carried on by the trust, either directly or through organizations which are devoted to like ends, I suggest the following:

1. That the trust promote scientific research and improved technological methods in all fields but particularly in the fields of producing, processing, packaging, storing, handling, transporting and distributing all kinds of goods, wares and merchandise.
2. That the trust promote scientific research in the field of personnel relations, including the study of methods of improving the training of employees and promoting their well being, security and proficiency. For instance, it could give support to a technical school to train persons for supervisory positions.
3. That the trust promote the application of science in the discovery and development of methods for the beneficial utilization of natural resources and for industrialization of the Pacific Northwest states and Alaska.
4. That the trust publish and make generally available the results of such research and studies.
5. That the trust grant scholarships and other assistance to worthy students in attendance at various institutions of learning in relation to the forgoing factors.
6. That the trust give support to agencies which relieve and assist sick, needy, aged, disabled, and handicapped persons.
7. That the trust foster aid to prevent and remedy alcoholic and drug addiction.
8. That the trust continue to give support to the Salvation Army, Shriner's Hospital, UGN, White Shield Home, and other organizations now supported by me.
9. That the trust avoid giving to organizations which have sectarian or authoritative factors in their organization or operations, that it keep free from political factors and that it avoid giving to partisan groups.
10. That the trust foster studies and dissemination of the philosophy of the Rosicrucian Fellowship, Oceanside, California, and similar schools of philosophy, giving preference to the Rosicrucian Fellowship so long as it functions along present lines. I had a personal relationship with its founder, Max Heindel, and go along with his interpretations and expositions of Christian philosophy. I recommend it be made available to such people as seek this philosophy, but that there be no proselyting of it.
11. That the trust aid and encourage scientific research regarding the origin, evolution and future developments of man, from both the scientific and spiritual aspects, seeking out the purposes and mysteries of life and being, all in a scientific way and in harmony with religion–not regarding the intellectual understanding of the Universe and God as an end in itself, but in order that men may believe, know and live that civil and religious life which will aid to build true fellowship among all peoples. Such research would be aimed toward an appeal to reason, so that having first satisfied the mind it may go on to reach the heart, and thereby aim toward developing an all-around, balanced, safe and sane knowledge and action to the end that men may be induced to live a life dedicated to the service of humanity. Without allying with any sectarian or religious organization, I would encourage the trust to endeavor to make Christian teachings a working factor among all peoples, but without proselytizing, and to keep searching for an ever deeper understanding of the uplifting powers, light and other virtues in the Christian teachings, especially when co-ordinated with an advanced Science, where there shall be full and free scope for research, logic, action and satisfaction in Science, Religion and Art, without doing violence to any of them.

The objects of this trust are designed so that it may accomplish its purposes to a greater degree by receiving the benefits of tax exemptions grated by the revue laws to such trusts. This being so, none of the suggestions should be interpreted or applied in a manner which would eliminate or reduce such exemptions.

In making grants, the trust should give adequately but not lavishly. If the trust gives substantial amounts or for the long future, it should try to give in a manner which would permit changing the gift. Finally, in all giving, give thought. With thoughtful giving, even small sums may accomplish great purposes.

DATED: March 29, 1976
SIGNED: Fred G. Meyer