The Foundation traces its history beginning in 1970 through two organizations that were similar but with a slightly different focus. The Navy Supply Corps School Alumni Association concentrated on social events and was supported by an annual fund drive. The Navy Supply Corps Foundation was the financial arm of the Alumni Association, focusing particularly on awarding college scholarships to deserving children of organization members. The merger of the two organizations in 1996 resulted in one organization with both social and charitable goals. In addition to the continued tradition of the annual fund drive, the new organization, which took the name of the Navy Supply Corps Foundation, also receives direct donations with which it maintains endowment and scholarship funds. Its tax-exempt, non-profit, charitable status is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service.

The Foundation’s members include every person who has ever “worn the oakleaf” in the United States Navy. The lifeblood of the Foundation rests with its Chapters. As of November 2013, there are 32 Chapters worldwide in places such as Japan, Djibouti, Bahrain, Sicily, Spain, and all across the United States. Over the years of its existence, the Foundation has focused principally on funding scholarships for the sons and daughters of Supply Corps officers. Since 1971, the Foundation has awarded 2,102 scholarships valued in excess of $4,443,000. The pool of recipients has expanded to include not only the dependents and descendents of active duty, reserve, retired and former Supply Corps officers, but also the dependents of supply enlisted personnel. The Foundation also funds $10,000 memorial scholarships ($2,500 per year) for the children of Supply Corps officers who have died while on active duty.

The Foundation has also developed programs to support and enhance the image of the Supply Corps. One such effort is the Distinguished Alumni Program, which recognizes former Supply Corps officers who, after distinguishing themselves on active duty, have gone on to gain further prominence in a wide variety of fields. Distinguished Alumni are invited to address students at the Navy Supply Corps School, as well as at Supply Corps Foundation chapters. The visits promote pride and professionalism among the students at the Supply Corps School and demonstrate the positive impact service in the Supply Corps has on the individual as well as the community. Distinguished Alumni include: Roger Enrico, Regis Philbin, A. G. Lafley, Leonard Lauder, Melvin Laird, James Mulva, Henry Trione, Roger Staubach, Bill Marriott, Andrew Giordano and John Whitehead. (Read more about this program under Programs on this website.)

Recently, the Foundation has embarked on an effort to expand its mission into other areas of service to its members, as part of its new long-range plan. Committees on Chapter Relations, Communications, Heritage/Legacy and Recognition have been established to bring the plan to life. This plan represents the road ahead for the Navy Supply Corps Foundation and charts a future of continued and expanded service to the Navy Supply Corps community in the months and years ahead.