NEWS FROM OUR FOUNDATION
FEBRUARY 2018
A big thank you from your district foundation team for keeping the importance of support for our Rotary Foundation on the “front burner.” At the end of January, we were just over 58% of the way through the Rotary year. Our Annual Fund giving was at 63.2% of goal, and giving to Polio Plus was at 72.0% of goal! Thank you!
Our challenge for this year is to equal last year’s terrific giving level (2016-17). Yes, I realize it was the year for celebrating the establishment of The Rotary Foundation so there was a bit of a extra push. We handily contributed $177,651, an increase of over $41,000 from 2015-16. That shows we can do it if we make the commitment. The clubs that submitted goals (5 did not) established an internal district goal of $126,382. The year prior, the clubs combined goal was $128,888 (7 clubs didn’t submit a goal) which was exceeded by $8,000.
I believe we set our sights too low. Whether we are supporting humanitarian projects locally, internationally, or (I hope) both, every life we improve improves the world for all of us. If we use 1,700 as our district membership number and we support the Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) target, we should be raising at least $170,000 for the Annual Fund. Support Polio Plus, of course, and set your sights on $125 as a minimum per year. Using 1,700 members, that extra $25 would generate $42,500, an amount we contributed in 2014-15 so we know it can be done. By the way, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation turns our $42,500 into $127,500 - not a bad return on investment, I would say.
We have just under five months remaining in this year (remember to have your contributions submitted by June 15, if possible, so we’re sure they are counted in this year’s giving - our fiscal year ends June 30 and data input can take a bit of time, particularly since some individuals/clubs wait until the last minute to submit contributions). Let’s set our goal to contribute a minimum of $11,500/month through June to meet the clubs’ collective goal, and see how close we can come to $25,000 a month for four months so we can match last year’s giving. A stretch - probably - but who ever wins the race by saying, “It can’t be done?”
Consider whether it is time for you to become a Major Donor (Level I is cumulative Annual Fund giving of $10,000, Level II is $25,000, and we can go on from there). Your contribution will be recognized appropriately, but more importantly, you will personally benefit from knowing your investment is making our world a better place. A few Major Donors, and we have the job done! Think about it.
The Rotary Foundation is the lifeblood of Rotary International, and we as committed Rotarians are the lifeblood of the Foundation. With a team effort, we can reach our goals and help make up for my broken heart caused by the failure of my Minnesota Vikings to go to the Super Bowl!
Working with you to MAKE A DIFFERENCE in our world
PDG Ruth, DRFCC