Wow. It’s been a very hectic year. As your new District Rotary Foundation Chair (DFRC), I’ve busy learning the ropes, and its way more complex than it looks like from the outside!
Nevertheless, it’s also been a fantastic year. We are on a pace to expend a bit over $500,000 in District Designated Funds (DDF) in support of club projects and scholarships both locally and around the world.
Right about now, our clubs are in the process of finishing up thirty-nine (39) District Assistance Program (DAP) grants valued in excess of $107,000 DDF. Additionally, we granted five (5) District Vocational Scholarships valued at $25,000 DDF, and are participating in nine (9) Global Grant Humanitarian Projects and one (1) Global Grant Scholarship valued in excess of $343,000 DDF. And, oh, along the way we contribute $20,000 DDF to PolioPlus.
We also supporting Rotary’s other funds: We’ve raised in excess of $160,100 for the Endowment Fund and over $52,700 for PolioPlus. Altogether, we’ve raised in excess of $864,900! Incredible!
I’d proud to announce that Bequest Society and Benefactor pledges are at an all-time high this year ($1.326 million) and that District 5870 has two (2) new Arch Klumph Society members – Ronney and Mary Reynolds and Rich and Diana Kaye.
Additionally, I must say congratulations go to the following 11 clubs that have set their all-time high in annual giving this year - what a remarkable achievement:
Austin | Georgetown-Sun City |
Austin-North by Northeast | Lakeway/Lake Travis |
Cameron | Northwest Austin |
Cedar Park-Leander | Pflugerville |
Corsicana | Temple |
E-Club of 5870 |
Because of your support, District 5870 is quickly entering unexplored territory. As of May, we have raised $627,151 for the Annual Fund. To put this into perspective, we have only passed the $600,000 mark twice before - and no other district in our paired Zones that consist of 22 districts has ever passed it even once. I am constantly amazed at how generous you are. I want to personally thank each of you who has already made your contribution. You truly have the vision to see, the faith to believe, and the courage to act.
Thanks to our Committee
Ever wonder how the District Foundation Committee works?
There is a lot of work that goes into trainings, helping get Clubs qualified, DAP grant reviews, communicating with clubs, scholarship interviews, budgeting, working with RI and more! It takes a huge committee and I want to give a special THANK YOU to the committee this year: Abbey Tootle (RC of Austin Cosmopolitan), Amanda Traphagen (RC of Austin Cosmopolitan), Katherine Logue (RC of Waco), Barbara Merlo (RC of Killeen Heights), Kelly Barr (RC of Killeen Heights), Kent Miller (RC of Northwest Austin), PDG Rich Kaye (RC of Killeen Heights), and DGD Beverly Luedke (RC of Temple-South).