BRIEF
November is Rotary Foundation Month. The Rotary Foundation (TRF) is Rotary’s charitable arm — it turns our club’s gifts into grants and projects that change lives. At RC Kampala North, we’ve helped unlock major projects — from health equipment to education — and now have representation at the highest levels: Rtn. Tusu serves as a TRF Trustee and Rtn. Emmanuel Katongole serves as a Rotary International Director. Read on to see how TRF works, how money is invested and used, and easy ways you can support.
“Every gift to The Rotary Foundation helps Rotary members take action to create lasting change.”
What the Rotary Foundation is (in plain language)
The Rotary Foundation (TRF) is Rotary’s engine for doing good. Members and friends contribute; TRF stewards, invests, and returns those funds to clubs and districts as grants that deliver impact across Rotary’s seven Areas of Focus — peace, disease prevention, water & sanitation, maternal & child health, education, community economic development, and the environment.
How the money flows
- Annual Fund – SHARE: gifts are invested for three years to grow earnings.
- After three years, about half returns to our district as District Designated Funds (DDF); the rest goes to the World Fund for large-scale Global Grants.
- Clubs apply for district grants (smaller, local/regional) and global grants (larger, often international and multi-club).
Governance in a nutshell
TRF is a separate charitable entity aligned to Rotary International (RI). TRF is overseen by a Board of Trustees who manage policy, investments, and grants. RI is governed by a Board of Directors who set program priorities and support clubs and districts worldwide.
Teaser: Director vs. Trustee — what’s the difference?
- A Rotary International Director (e.g., Rtn. Emmanuel Katongole) helps lead the RI organisation — membership, programs, and strategy.
- A TRF Trustee (e.g., our own Rtn. Tusu) guides the Foundation — investments, grant policy, and stewardship of donated funds.
RC Kampala North — our giving and project impact
- Union Vision Mission Schools Project — ~US$43,000 (education facilities)
- Bududa Adopt-A-Community — ~US$219,000 (livelihoods, health, education)
- Sam Owori Vijana Poa Village — ~US$80,000 (youth skills)
- Siriba Adopt-A-Village (Kiryandongo) — ~US$106,000 (rural development)
- Bethesda Medical Centre oncology equipment — ~US$138,000 (cancer care)
- Namalemba Health Centre IV equipment — ~US$83,000 (maternal & child health)
Why this matters to us
When we give, TRF multiplies our generosity. That “matching” effect means RC Kampala North can turn a dollar into many dollars of impact — across Uganda and beyond.
Ways to support TRF (choose what fits you)
- Annual Fund – SHARE (yearly giving)
- PolioPlus Fund (eradication of polio)
- Endowment/Legacy giving (bequests, named funds)
- Benevolence/recurring giving via the club
- Milestones such as Paul Harris Fellow and Paul Harris Society
Call to action
This month, consider a gift that fits your budget, encourage a friend to learn about TRF, and ask about our club’s Annual Fund goal so we can reach — and beat — it together.