2016-17 was a huge year for The Rotary Foundation, a year in which we celebrated the centennial of our Foundation. Coming off The Foundation Centennial year, which was capped with our memorable Foundation dinner function on 31 May, we knew that we would still be looking back perhaps more than we were looking ahead so the challenge was to keep the momentum going. An additional challenge was the lower amount of District Designated Funds (DDF) that was available as a consequence of lower club and personal contributions three years earlier.
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evertheless it was a very positive year for Foundation related activities in D9800. Within the funding available we completed slightly fewer District grants but they were stronger and of higher impact. A new schools’ scholarship program was very popular and effective. Five significant Global Grants were approved as well as two Global Grant Scholarships.
evertheless it was a very positive year for Foundation related activities in D9800. Within the funding available we completed slightly fewer District grants but they were stronger and of higher impact. A new schools’ scholarship program was very popular and effective. Five significant Global Grants were approved as well as two Global Grant Scholarships.D9800 returned to its status as a PeaceBuilder District with a DDF contribution of US$25,000 to the Rotary Peace program. Importantly, our “Black Caviar” status was retained with 4 successful nominations to the Peace and Conflict Resolution program.
Photo: District 9800 Foundation Chairman, PDG Dennis Shore, celebrating another great year for The Rotary Foundation.
As a District we contributed US$38,000 to the PolioPlus program from our DDF as part of a challenge program with clubs for a total of US$79,000. We plan to extend the challenge program again this year. Annual giving was below that of the Centennial year but more than 18% above the period 3 years prior and more than 21% ahead on a per capita basis. and new major donors.
The year ahead will see a lot more effort to “fight polio to the finish”. DG Bronwyn has her Smartie Campaign, there will be our annual Foundation movie, and the opportunity for clubs to support Prance in the Park . It would be great if clubs could also support World Polio Day on 24 October and consider ways of helping the fight.
November is Foundation Month and clubs are encouraged to provide focus and support for OUR Foundation.
Read the District 9800 Foundation Newsletter, with goals, grants, reflections of a conference-goer, and the Paul Harris breakfast at: