Tzu Chi Foundation was established in 1966 by Venerable Dharma Master Cheng Yen. For over 44 years, the foundation has been contributing to better social and community services, medical care, education and humanism in Hualien and around the world. From the first 30 members, housewives who saved two cents from their grocery money each day to help the poor, the foundation has grown to over five million members in 47 countries.

Master Cheng Yen firmly believes that suffering in this world is caused not only by material deprivation but, more importantly, also by spiritual poverty. She feels that the lack of altruistic love for others has been the root of many problems in this world. Thus, the foundation’s guiding principle on charity is to “help the poor and educate the rich.”

Tzu Chi’s missions focus on giving material aid to the needy and inspiring love and humanity to both givers and receivers. In addition to charity, the foundation dedicates itself in the fields of medicine, education, environmental protection, international relief work and the establishment of the world’s third largest marrow donor registry. It also promotes humanistic values and community volunteerism. Through helping those in need, Tzu Chi volunteers take on the path of bodhisattva practices, the way to Buddhahood.

In 1989, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation was established in California, as a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Since then, 62 local offices have been established with  over 100,000 members in the U.S. working to make a difference in their local communities.