THE ROTARY FOUNDATION
Founded in 1917, the Rotary Foundation is a nonprofit corporation that helps Rotary International to advance world understanding and goodwill by supporting the Seven Areas of Focus:
- Peace building and conflict resolution
- Disease prevention and treatment
- Clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
- Maternal and child health
- Basic education and literacy
- Community economic development
- The environment
The Rotary Foundation helps fund humanitarian activities, from local service projects to global initiatives. The Foundation leads the charge on worldwide Rotary campaigns of eradicating polio and promoting peace. All other projects start at the club level – with each club having the opportunity to apply for foundation grants to help support the humanitarian need that concerns them most.
No dues go to support The Rotary Foundation. Rotarians and friends of Rotary support the Foundation’s work through voluntary contributions at whatever financial level they are most comfortable.
WAYS TO GIVE
Opportunities for giving are numerous and include the following funds:
- Annual Fund —Gifts are transformed into grants that help clubs take action to create positive change in local communities and around the world.
- PolioPlus – A worldwide leader in the efforts to eradicate polio, Rotary and its partners have immunized over 3 billion children, reducing the incidence of polio by 99.9 percent, and eradicating it from all but two countries.
- Word Fund – Gifts to the world fund will be spent where the need is greatest.
- Disaster Response Fund – Contributions are made available to clubs and districts through Rotary Disaster Response Grants and cannot be directed to a specific disaster.
- Areas of Focus – Direct donations to one of the Seven Areas of Focus: the Environment; Disease Prevention & Treatment; Water, Sanitation & Hygiene; Maternal & Child Health; Basic Education & Literacy; Community Economic Development; and Peace Building & Conflict Prevention.
- Endowment – Rotary strives to increase the value of your gift to the Endowment by preserving and investing your initial contribution and spending only a portion of the earnings.
- Global Grant – Global grants support large international activities that have sustainable and measurable outcomes.
RECOGNITION OPPORTUNITIES
The Rotary Foundation shows its appreciation to individuals and clubs for contributions supporting its humanitarian and educational activities. There are several recognition opportunities available with two of the most popular and important featured below:
Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member
A Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member is an individual who contributes $100 or more each year to the Annual Fund. These contributions also count toward Paul Harris Fellow, Multiple Paul Harris Fellow, Paul Harris Society, Major Donor, and club recognition.
Paul Harris Fellow
Paul Harris Fellow recognition is given to an individual who contributes (or in whose name is contributed) $1,000 or more cumulatively to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus, or an approved Foundation grant. Recognition consists of a certificate and pin. An optional medallion is available for an additional fee.
