Your Rotary: Our Foundation

Posted by Tom Greidanus on Feb 26, 2016
 

The Rotary Foundation: "To Do Good In The World"

 
 
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.
 
A monthly donation of $15 (CDN) to the Rotary Foundation will allow you to fulfill $100 (US) per Rotarian each year and then some. Join the movement to make a difference.
 
The Rotary Foundation (Canada) is a Canadian federally chartered corporation and Canadian registered charity supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of The Rotary Foundation who share its vision of a better world. Join the millions of Rotarians giving to Our Foundation and know that you are doing good in the world.
 
Through the generosity of people like you, our work has made a difference in the lives of millions around the world. Your gift to The Rotary Foundation allows us to improve communities by promoting peace, preventing disease, bolstering economic development, and providing clean water and sanitation.
 
You can choose to make a one-time gift, or enroll in Rotary Direct, Rotary's recurring giving program, to support our efforts year round.
 
Donations can be made easily online through the Rotary Foundation Canada. This method expedites processing your gift. Alternatively, feel free to mail in your cheque to the Rotary Foundation Canada, c/o 911600, PO Box 4090 STN A, Toronto, ON, M5W 0E9.
 

Recurring giving (Rotary Direct)

Make your giving to the Foundation easy by enrolling in Rotary Direct, Rotary's recurring giving program. You select an amount and frequency that's convenient for you. .

Paul Harris Society

why you should join the Paul Harris Society. 

Check, draft, or wire payments

to donate with different payment methods.

Securities

you can donate stocks, mutual funds, or other securities.

Planned giving

how you can incorporate a gift in your financial or estate planning.

Named gift

to make a named gift that will support Rotary's future.

Real estate

making a gift of real estate may afford you financial benefits.

Employee matching gift

how your employer can sponsor a matching gift program.

Rotary credit card

Promote Rotary and help support our Foundation with the .

Airline miles

to participate in the United Airlines Mileage Plus Charity Miles Program.

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.
 
2013: New district, global, and packaged grants enable Rotarians around the world to respond to the world’s greatest needs.
 
Since the first donation of $26.50 in 1917, the Foundation has received contributions totaling more than $1 billion.