Given the unique setup of the Foundation, our gifts go both to international and local programs. Gifts to the Foundation are invested with the earnings paying for administrative and implementation costs. After three years, 50% of the original gifts are used for global programs and 50% is returned to the District as District Designated Funds to be used for local educational and humanitarian activities. Thus, half of our gifts comes back to help our local projects.
According to Mary, the status of Foundation giving for the club is
- 15 of 26 members have given (58%)
- We have given $1,231 toward our goal of $2,600. This represents gifts of $47/member with a goal of $100.
MISSION: The mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance World Understanding, Goodwill, and Peace through the improvement of health, support of education, and alleviation of poverty. There are six primary areas of focus:
- Peace and conflict prevention & resolution
- Disease prevention & treatment
- Water & sanitation
- Maternal & child health
- Basic education & literacy
- Economic & community development
Expenditures of The Rotary Foundation for the fiscal year 2013-14 were: 92% for programs, 6% for fundraising, and 2% for administrative expenses. This earned the Foundation a 4-star (out of 4) rating from Charity Navigator.
HISTORY OF THE ROTARY FOUNDATION
At the 1917 convention, outgoing RI President Arch C. Klumph proposed to set up an endowment “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” In 1928, it was renamed The Rotary Foundation, and it became a distinct entity within Rotary International.
GROWTH OF THE FOUNDATION
In 1929, the Foundation made its first gift of $500 to the International Society for Crippled Children. The organization, created by Rotarian Edgar F. “Daddy” Allen, later grew into Easter Seals.
When Rotary founder Paul Harris died in 1947, contributions began pouring in to Rotary International, and the Paul Harris Memorial Fund was created to build the Foundation.
EVOLUTION OF FOUNDATION PROGRAMS
1947: The Foundation established its first program, Fellowships for Advance Study, later known as Ambassadorial Scholarships.
1965-66: Three programs were launched: Group Study Exchange, Awards for Technical Training, and Grants for Activities in Keeping with the Objective of The Rotary Foundation, which was later called Matching Grants.
1978: Rotary introduced the Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants. The first 3-H Grant funded a project to immunize 6 million Philippine children against polio.
1985: The PolioPlus program was launched to eradicate polio worldwide.
1987-88: The first peace forums were held, leading to Rotary Peace Fellowships.
Since the first donation of $26.50 in 1917, the Foundation has received contributions totaling more than $1 billion.
