The Rotary Foundation

The Rotary Foundation

The Rotary Foundation is Rotary's own charity, a not-for-profit trust created in 1917 by Rotary International's sixth president Arch C. Klumph, as an endowment fund for Rotary 'to do good in the world'

His initial contribution of $26.50 in 1917 has grown into a $1 billion grant programme "to enable member Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education and the alleviation of poverty"

The Rotary Foundation is supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians, friends and organisations who share the Rotary vision of a better world

The Foundation, which operates entirely through the Rotary international network exercises strong financial oversight, has achieved a stellar charity rating, and a unique funding model that ensures the very best is made of all contributions received

Through a global community of Rotarians, the Rotary Foundation transforms gifts into projects such as eradicating polio and promoting peace

Foundation grants empower one of the largest and most prestigious international fellowship programs in the world to invest time and expertise and overcome challenges such as poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition with sustainable solutions that leave a lasting impact and change lives at home and around the world

Rotary Foundation Centenary

In 2017 The Rotary Foundation celebrated its centennial anniversary. That one original idea and an initial contribution of $26.50 in 1917 set in motion a powerful force for good that has spent over $3 billion on humanitarian programmes and transformed millions of lives around the globe

In 2019 Charity Navigator, a leading evaluator of charities in the USA, gave its highest rating of four stars to The Rotary Foundation, for the twelfth consecutive year*

CNBC a leading global media outlet, ranked Rotary Foundation third in its 'Top Ten Charities Changing the World'*

The Association of Fundraising Professionals - the world's largest network of professional fundraisers - named The Rotary Foundation as the World's Outstanding Foundation, honouring long-term achievements that have made a significant impact upon society*

* Rotary Magazine April/May 2020

Rotary Areas of Focus - The 'Rotary Causes'

The Rotary Foundation's grants are structured to support and develop programmes that address the Rotary Areas of Focus, which includes spearheading the ‘End Polio Now’ movement to eradicate polio across the world

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