Rotary International Giving & Grants Newsletter
A record-setting year
Owing to the leadership and financial support of Rotarians around the world, 2013-14 was a record-setting year for our Annual Fund. Preliminary results suggest that more than $250 million was contributed to help change lives locally and in communities around the world. Thank you!
New year and new goals
Has your club set Foundation giving goals for 2014-15? If not, there is still time to evaluate your club’s fundraising efforts last year and submit goals for this year in Rotary Club Central. With your help, we can achieve our worldwide Annual Fund goal of $123 million by 30 June.
New Foundation funding model
The Rotary Foundation Trustees have approved a new model for funding the Foundation's operating costs. Effective 1 July 2015, the Foundation will direct 5 percent of Annual Fund donations to administrative and fund development expenses and to build a strong operating reserve. The Foundation will also draw on other funding sources, including 5 percent of cash contributions for global grants. Most not-for-profit organizations allocate a percentage of their contributions to support future fundraising efforts. Looking ahead, the Foundation will continue its strong record of financial accountability and transparency. Read more about the new funding model.
GRANT UPDATES
Packaged grants to be phased out
Despite some successes with packaged grants, an evaluation revealed significant differences between the grants’ goals and the actual experience of Rotarians. Therefore, the Trustees decided to allow options with the Foundation’s strategic partners to expire at the end of their current terms. Packaged grants will end when all active grants are closed.
Grant terms and conditions updated
Grant terms and conditions are periodically updated for the sake of clarity and to incorporate policy changes. Most recently, the eligibility guidelines for district grants were expanded. District grants can now fund youth programs (including Youth Exchange, RYLA, Rotaract, and Interact), construction (including low-cost shelters), travel for staff of cooperating organizations, scholar orientation seminars, grant management seminars, and activities primarily implemented by an organization other than Rotary. See the current version of grant terms and conditions, which includes these changes.
Year-end grant statistics
Rotarians worldwide enthusiastically participated in the new grants during 2013-14. The Foundation approved 492 district grants, 858 global grants, and 18 packaged grants.