Foundation Fact Sheet no.2

Interesting Facts about Rotary Foundation


Efficient Giving

At the 1917 convention, outgoing Rotary president Arch Klumph proposed setting up an endowment “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” That one idea, and an initial contribution of $26.50, set in motion a powerful force that has transformed millions of lives around the globe. Since then, close on £4 billion has been raised for Rotary causes

When we give to charities we probably do not check on how well they use our money. Across the world most major charities take 20% to 30% of your donations to pay for overheads etc., so only 60%-70% is spent on the front line.

When you donate to Rotary Foundation 92% of your donations is paid out to Foundation activities. Most of the money spent on grants for local (for example District 1010 has access to Foundation grants to support local projects) and international projects are adding to funding raised by the sponsoring club, further enhancing the value of each £ that you donate. In the UK RIBI claim Gift Aid on Foundation Donations, adding 25% to every donation.

So you can see that donations to our Foundation represent really good value for money, and the money is carefully spent on the 6 priority causes of Rotary International

  • Preventing disease
  • Providing clean water
  • Supporting Education
  • Growing Local Economies
  • Saving mothers and children
  • Promoting peace

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Foundation Factsheet No 1

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Rotary's Own Charity

back 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 entit