Submitted by: Christopher W Knapp, District 6000 Foundation Chair 2018-2022, Rotary Club of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa:
Welcome to the first week of November, Rotary International’s Foundation Month!
This is the month when we feature the charity arm of Rotary International. Our foundation was initially an endowment fund created in 1917 by RI’s 6th president, Arch C. Klumph, “to do good in the world.” It has grown from an initial contribution of US$26.50 to more than US 1 billion. Our 104-year-old Rotary Foundation helps Rotarians advance world understanding, goodwill and peace by improving the environment and alleviating poverty. Rotary Clubs all over the world engage local foundations to contribute to TRF from which incredible projects have been completed.
Welcome to the first week of November, Rotary International’s Foundation Month!
This is the month when we feature the charity arm of Rotary International. Our foundation was initially an endowment fund created in 1917 by RI’s 6th president, Arch C. Klumph, “to do good in the world.” It has grown from an initial contribution of US$26.50 to more than US 1 billion. Our 104-year-old Rotary Foundation helps Rotarians advance world understanding, goodwill and peace by improving the environment and alleviating poverty. Rotary Clubs all over the world engage local foundations to contribute to TRF from which incredible projects have been completed.
An example of this is the Norman Rotary Club of Oklahoma recently celebrated becoming a two-comma club by donating $1,008,751 cumulatively to The Rotary Foundation ("TRF"). “This is an amazing achievement by our club members,” said Teresa Collado, Norman Rotary Club president. “The foundation has been pivotal in the eradication of polio, as well as many other projects that have made a positive difference in our community and the world.” Just over 80% of Norman Rotary Club members are Paul Harris Fellows, which recognizes Rotarians for each $1,000 donated to TRF. According to Collado, “…11 of our members are major donors who have donated $10,000. The generosity of our Rotarians is astounding.”