The first thing to understand is what The Rotary Foundation Canada (TRFC) is not. Donations sent to TRFC are not simply cashed and the money sent to The Rotary Foundation in Evanston. It is important to recognize the significant financial responsibilities TRFC has. Canadian law does not allow a Canadian charity to simply pass money to another charity in a different country. The funds must be managed in Canada.

 

 

TRFC is the first and oldest associate foundation of The Rotary Foundation. TRFC was established in 1967. There are now associate foundations in Australia, Brazil, Germany, Korea, India, Japan, and United Kingdom.

 

The Rotary Foundation Trustees establish specific policies for the management of associate foundations in the TRF Code of Policy. In addition, each Associate Foundation is governed by the charitable and incorporation regulations of their country.

 

The goals and purposes of an associate foundation are to:

1. increase donations in support of The Rotary Foundation and its programs

2. provide tax-related benefits to donors

3. enhance services and support to Foundation programs.

 

In a January 2020 article in Rotary Canada magazine Past RI President Wilf Wilkinson described the origins of the TRFC. He stated, “I think The Rotary Foundation Canada elevated the position of Canada in the Rotary world.” Wilkinson said Canadian Rotarians should look on the foundation with “some nationalism and pride,” since it is responsible for a significant investment portfolio through Canadian-based financial institutions.

 

TRFC is managed by a thirteen-person volunteer board. The chair is Past RI Vice President and current Trustee Dean Rohrs. The TRF Trustee representative is Past RI President Barry Rassin. Past RI President Wilkinson serves as an advisor to the board. The other board members include RI Vice President Valarie Wafer, past RRFCs (Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinators), EMGAs (Endowment Major Gifts Advisors), Rotarians with experience with grants, law, and monetary management. A complete list of board members is on the TRFC website under “about.”

 

The administrator of TRFC is Susan Hicks. Susan manages tax receipts, general enquiries, and board meetings. TRFC works closely with the TRF investment committee and finance committee and TRF staff.

 

The TRFC website www.trfcanada.org was recently revised and renewed. The site is a source of stories on Canadian Rotary Foundation projects and a resource for Canadian Rotarians. This includes information for Canadians making bequests in their estate plans and naming TRFC as a beneficiary. If you would like to share your personal story of bequest support to inspire others or a successful global grant project that your club was a part of, please submit a message through the website and we will contact you for details.

 

TRFC has the responsibility to pay out grants to Canadian districts and clubs. For districts and clubs this is seamless. The work by TRFC is in the background. TRFC also coordinates donations of public securities collaborating with a Canadian broker. Instructions for donation of publicly traded securities are located on the website under “ways to give.” 

 

In June 2021 TRFC donated US $1 million to PolioPlus. Dean Rohrs stated that this donation is because of the generosity of Canadian Rotarians. “The Rotary Foundation Canada has had good returns on investments and favorable exchange rates. This has permitted this donation of funds from our unallocated investment earnings to support polio eradication.” The TRFC financial statements are available on the TRFC website under “about.”