About the Easter Island Foundation
The Easter Island Foundation (EIF) is a public 501(c)3 organization registered in California. The organization is overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors who share an interest in and concern about the culture and history of Rapa Nui and Oceania and include a variety of professions with expertise in anthropology, art, education, information technology, management and fundraising. The EIF supports the preservation of the Rapa Nui heritage and culture through education. It was incorporated in 1989 to give back to the community that has inspired the world through its rich history, vibrant culture and monumental archaeological treasures.
Our Mission
The Easter Island Foundation supports the Rapa Nui people to preserve their vibrant Polynesian culture.
We believe that education and opportunity strengthen the individual, family, economy, and community as a whole. Our vision is to empower the communities of Rapa Nui to make a difference in protecting their future and past.
The EIF focuses on education to fulfill this mission.
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Our Programs
The Easter Island Foundation is committed to supporting educational programs:
EIF Scholarships
Toki Rapa Nui School of Music and the Arts
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Terevaka Archaeological Outreach
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The William Mulloy Library
Language Immersion Program
We provide scholarships to undergraduate college students of Rapa Nui ancestry who wish to earn a degree. Most of our scholarship recipients return to the island to employ their expertise, thereby giving back to their community.
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Our History
Our founder, Dr. Georgia Lee, spent 10 years documenting the petroglyphs of Easter Island. She earned her PhD in archaeology from UCLA in 1986, when she turned 60. In part, because Georgia returned to university as a mature student in her 40’s, she remained firm in her conviction of the transformative power of education. She mentored and inspired many people to pursue degrees in archeology and anthropology. Georgia was never happier than when she was doing research on Easter Island, and she fell in love with the Rapa Nui people who guided her journey.
In 1989, the governor of Rapa Nui asked Dr. Lee if she could help find the funding to build a library to house the collections of anthropologist William Mulloy. She gathered like-minded scientists, including Joan Seaver Kurze, William Liller, and Kay Sanger. Together they set about creating the William Mulloy Library. From this humble beginning grew the Easter Island Foundation.
The William Mulloy Library remains a valuable resource for academics, students, and anyone wanting to know more about the history of Easter Island.
