The Rotary Foundation has been named the “best charity in the world” by charity watchdogs. Not only do the funds you donate end up directly funding projects, making it efficient, but it’s also effective. This is because of Rotary’s unique ability to leverage the “local experts” on the ground – Rotarians in countries where the work is happening.
Roy and Marlene Gargulak presented to the group as part of the District Foundation Committee, convened with the goal of growing giving to The Rotary Foundation by Rotarians in our District.
Roy Sjoberg opened by noting that he considers us a “top” club and recently gave us a five-star review on Facebook!

Roy and Marlene Gargulak are part of the District Foundation Committee, convened with the goal of growing giving to The Rotary Foundation by Rotarians in our District. https://www.rotary.org/en/about-rotary/rotary-foundation

History of The Rotary Foundation
The first contribution to The Rotary Foundation was $26.50 in 1917, that’s $536.00 in today’s dollars. The contribution came from a Kansas Rotarian named Arch Klumph; you can now become a member of the Arch Klumph Society by contribution $250K.

Life without The Rotary Foundation
Roy told a story from his year as District Governor, when our District participated in two Group Study Exchanges, including one with India which we subsidized with funding from The Rotary Foundation. Participants in that exchange created relationships that led to significant projects in India, including the construction of 100 water wells, also funded with support from The Rotary Foundation. Roy calculated that each of these wells serve 500 people, meaning that 500,000 people now had access to fresh water because of The Rotary Foundation. Without The Rotary Foundation, this project could not have happened!
 
Marlene echoed that her life would not be the same with Rotary. She is known as “The Rotary Foundation Woman of Rice Lake,” and she is proud of that title. Had she instead opted to join a different local club, she never would have had the local and international service experiences that she has had. Marlene talked about the difference The Rotary Foundation is making through PolioPlus, recalling how frightening it was when three students in her small rural school contracted polio. She is grateful to have traveled to Africa and India to participate in global immunization efforts, where she saw the power of supporting the local healthcare workers who are key to successful immunization work.

Grants and how the Rotary Foundation works
There are two types of grants, (1) Global Grants and (2) District Grants. Global Grants provide more money and must be international, require a host club in the country where the work will be done, and must align with one of six areas of focus: peace and conflict prevention/resolution; disease prevention and treatment; water and sanitation; maternal and child health; basic education and literacy; or economic and community development. District Grants are smaller (up to $3K/club, $12K total, so $24K project) and can be done anywhere. Contributions to the ANNUAL FUND are invested for three years, then split between the WORLD FUND, which funds Global Grants, Peace Centers, etc. and the DISTRICT DESIGNATED FUND, which is controlled by our local District and funds the District Grant Program, Group Study Exchanges, Scholarships, etc. Having the funds sit for three years enables us to fund administrative expenses out of earnings so that 100% of dollars contributed are used to fund projects.

Your “Charity of Choice”
The Rotary Foundation has been named the “best charity in the world” by charity watchdogs. Not only do the funds you donate end up directly funding projects, making it efficient, but it’s also effective. This is because of Rotary’s unique ability to leverage the “local experts” on the ground – Rotarians in countries where the work is happening.

Our Club has 29 Paul Harris Fellows, individuals whose cumulative giving is $1000 or more. Nine of these are “Multiple” Paul Harris Fellows, meaning that they’ve contributed $2000 or more. 54 of our 56 members have made a gift at some point. Our club has given a total of $115,325 over the years, including $6,736 in 2016-2017, $4,664 in 2015-2016, $7,125 in 2014-2015 and $8,683 in 2013-2014. Roy thanked everyone for their support, and encouraged all to consider making The Rotary Foundation their “charity of choice,” considering increasing their support of your Rotary Foundation.