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. The Rotary Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation that is supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world.

The Foundation was created in 1917 by Rotary International's sixth president, Arch C. Klumph, as an endowment fund for Rotary "to do good in the world." The Foundation was started with an initial contribution of US$26.50. During the past 100 years, the Foundation has spent $3 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects..

The Foundation's Humanitarian Programs fund international Rotary club and district projects to improve the quality of life, providing health care, clean water, food, education, and other essential needs primarily in the developing world. One of the major Humanitarian Programs is PolioPlus, which seeks to eradicate the poliovirus worldwide. Through its Educational Programs, the Foundation provides funding for some 1,200 students to study abroad each year. Grants are also awarded to university teachers  to teach in developing countries and for exchanges of business and professional people. Former participants in the Foundation's programs have the opportunity to continue their affiliation with Rotary as Foundation Alumni. Contribtions to the Rotary Foundation enable the foundation to carry out an array of programs that achieve beneficial changes in our world: improved living conditions, increased food production, better education, wider availability of treatment and rehabilitation for the sick and disabled, new channels for the flow of international understanding, and bright hopes for peace.

Rotarians often designate a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) as a tribute to a person whose life has demonstrated a shared purpose with the objectives of The Rotary Foundation. For a list of Westbrook-Gorham Paul Harris Fellows please see our page entitled "Paul Harris Fellows."

 

For more information on current Foundation program awards and financial status see the Rotary Foundation Fact Card and the Rotary Foundation Annual Report, both of which are available for download from the Rotary International website. Follow the link to the left to read more about the Rotary Foundation