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NOVEMBER - ROTARY FOUNDATION MONTH |
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| A) BACKGROUND |
The Foundation
is a not-for-profit corporation supported
solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians
and friends of the Foundation The mission
of The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians
to advance world understanding, goodwill,
and peace through the improvement of health,
the support of education, and the alleviation
of poverty.
In 1917, RI President Arch
C. Klumph proposed that an endowment be
set up “for the purpose of doing good
in the world.” In 1928, when the endowment
fund had grown to more than US$5,000, it
was renamed The Rotary Foundation, and it
became a distinct entity within Rotary International.
Since the first donation of $26.50 in 1917,
it has received contributions totaling more
than $1 billion. To date, more than one
million individuals have been recognized
as Paul Harris Fellows – people who
have given $1,000 to the Annual Programs
Fund or have had that amount contributed
in their name. |
| B) PROGRAMS |
PolioPlus
To
ensure that children are immunized against
the crippling disease and that surveillance
is strong. Since the PolioPlus program’s
inception in 1985, more than two billion
children have received the oral polio
vaccine.
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Humanitarian
Grants Program
Disaster
Recovery – Allows Rotarians to donate
money in response to specific disasters. Funds
are distributed to local committees to support
recovery efforts. District Simplified Grants – Support
the service activities of districts locally
and abroad. Since this program began in 2003-04,
more than 1,160 grants totaling over US$17
million have been awarded to districts in
almost 60 countries.
Health, Hunger and Humanity
(3-H) Grants – Fund large-scale, two-
to four-year projects that improve health,
alleviate hunger, or promote human development.
Since 1978, more than 280 projects in 75 countries
have been funded through The Rotary Foundation
at a cost of $74 million.
Matching Grants – Provide
matching funds for the international service
projects of Rotary clubs and districts. Since
1965, more than 24,000 Matching Grant projects
in 167 countries have been funded at a cost
of more than $257 million.
Volunteer Service
Grants – Support the international
travel of qualified Rotarians and their
spouses to provide a needed service or
plan a necessary project in a community.
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Educational Programs
Ambassadorial
Scholarships – Scholars
study in a different country and serve
as unofficial ambassadors of goodwill.
Since 1947, more than 47,000 scholars
from 110 countries have received scholarships
of more than $476 million through The
Rotary Foundation.
Group
Study Exchange (GSE) – Annual
awards are made to paired Rotary districts
to cover travel expenses for a team of
non-Rotarians from a variety of professions.
Since 1965, more than 57,000 individuals
(almost 12,000 teams) from 100 countries
have participated at a cost of more than
$92 million.
Rotary
Grants for University Teachers – These
grants are awarded to university faculty
members to teach in a developing nation
for 3 to 10 months. Since 1985, more than
$4 million in grants has allowed over
430 teachers to share their expertise
with a college or university in a developing
country.
The Rotary Peace
and Conflict Studies Program – Provides
professionals from around the world the
opportunity to be trained in conflict
resolution and mediation strategies.
Rotary World Peace Fellowships – Each
year, up to 60 scholars are sponsored to study
at one of the six Rotary Centers for International
Studies in peace and conflict resolution for
a master’s-level degree. Since the program’s
inception in 2002-03, 233 fellows from
60 countries have participated, funded
by awards of almost $14 million through
the Foundation.
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| B) FUNDING |
Humanitarian grants from The Rotary Foundation
enable Rotarians to increase their support
of international service. Contributions
to Rotary Foundation funds enable Rotarians
to carry out humanitarian and educational
projects. Donors may direct their gifts
to three main funds:
The Annual Programs
Fund, which supports the Foundation’s
humanitarian, educational, and cultural
exchange programs worldwide;
The Permanent
Fund, which provides an endowment; and
The
PolioPlus Fund.
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Annual Programs Fund: Every Rotarian,
Every Year |
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