“Whether we’re building a new playground or a new school, improving medical care or sanitation, training conflict mediators or midwives, we know that the work we do will change people’s lives — in ways large and small — for the better.”

Rotarians save lives, change lives and give hope. 12 Reasons to Join Us  

Rotary International and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have announced a further commitment of up to $450 million to support the eradication of polio.

The paralysing, life-altering scourge is on the verge of becoming the second human disease ever to be eradicated.

Rotary committed to raise $50 million per year over the next three years, with every dollar to be matched with two additional dollars from the Gates Foundation.

This expanded agreement will translate into $450 million for polio eradication activities, including immunisation and surveillance over the next three years.

This critical funding helps ensure countries around the world remain polio-free and that polio is ended in the remaining three endemic countries: Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan. In 2016, fewer children were paralysed by polio than ever before, thanks to the dedication of Rotary members and their partners.

In a partnership spanning a decade, Rotary and the Gates Foundation, along with the other Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners, have led the effort to end polio worldwide.

Rotary, including matching funds from the Gates Foundation, has donated more than $1.6 billion to polio eradication.

“The vision of eradicating polio began with Rotary, and its support of that effort has been unwavering for more than 35 years,” said Gates. “Rotary’s commitment to raise $150 million over the next three years to end polio forever is a testament to the compassion, generosity, and kindness of more than a million Rotarians around the world.”