P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) was founded at Iowa Wesleyan College in 1869 by seven young friends who believed in the importance of women’s education.  P.E.O. is dedicated to continuing and promoting their vision of fellowship and philanthropy.  The organization now has close to 6000 chapters throughout North America and over 240,000 members.

From its inception P.E.O. has taken an active role in promoting educational opportunities for women.  To date P.E.O. has given over $366 million in financial assistance to more than 113,000 recipients of the ELF, IPS, PCE, PSA and STAR projects:

• P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund loans are $221 million since 1907.
• P.E.O. International Peace Scholarships are $42.1 million since 1949.
• P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education grants are $62.4 million since 1973.
• P.E.O. Scholar Awards are $28.2 million since 1991.
• P.E.O. STAR Scholarships are $12.8 million since 2009.

In addition, P.E.O. has owned and supported Cottey College since 1927. Cottey is an independent, baccalaureate-granting liberal arts and sciences institution that develops leadership qualities and a global perspective within its students throughout the entirety of their academic and co-curricular experience.

P.E.O. became an International organization on August 28, 1911 with the formation of Chapter A, in Vancouver, British Columbia.  There are now 30 chapters in British Columbia with over 600 members located in the following areas: