About "The Rotary Foundation" at Rotary International
General Background
The foundation at Rotary International is officially called “The Rotary Foundation” (TRF).
The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. Since it was founded more than 100 years ago, the Foundation has spent more than $4 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects.
History
At the 1917 convention, outgoing Rotary president, Arch Klumph, proposed setting up an endowment “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” That one idea, and an initial contribution of $26.50, set in motion a powerful force that has transformed millions of lives around the globe.
Mission
The Rotary Foundation helps Rotary members to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty.
Rotary Grants and Other Funding
A large part of Foundation money goes to grants. Rotary members contribute their skills, expertise, and resources to help solve some of the world’s toughest problems. From providing clean water to promoting peace worldwide, The Rotary Foundation grants bring service project ideas to life. You must be a member of a Rotary club to be eligible for one of these grants.
Types of grants
- District grants fund small-scale, short-term activities that address needs in your community and communities abroad. In 2023 TRF funded 473 District grants for a total of $26 million.
- Global grants support large international activities with sustainable, measurable outcomes in Rotary's areas of focus. In 2023 TRF funded 1,092 global grants for a total of $55 million. (There will be a future News Bulletin article on Rotary’s 7 areas of focus.)
- Disaster response grants support relief and recovery efforts in areas that have been affected by natural disasters. In 2023 TRF funded 324 disaster response grants for a total of $15 million.
- Programs of scale grants fund intentional effort by Rotary members, in partnership with others, to expand proven program models within our areas of focus in order to benefit more people and in more places and foster lasting change. In 2023 TRF funded 1 program of scale grant for a total of $2 million.
To see the number and funding of Global Grants by Areas of Focus in 2023 click here.
NOTE: Our Loveland Club currently has one district grant to fund the water project in Mexico and two active global grants, one to fund a scholarship for Michelle Hefner to study in the area of disease prevention in Spain and the other to fund a maternity waiting facility for mothers in Liberia lead by Becky Huner.
In addition to grants, TRF funds 7 peace centers around the world and is an important contributor to eradicating polio world-wide. (Rotary started the goal to eradicate polio in the 1980's.)
Financial structure
The Rotary Foundation is organized as a public charity operated exclusively for charitable purposes and governed by a Board of Trustees. The operations of Rotary International, a member organization, are overseen by its Board of Directors.
The headquarters of both Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation are in Evanston, Illinois, USA. TRF has associate foundations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, and the United Kingdom.
Charity Rating from Charity Navigator
In Oct of 2023, The Rotary Foundation received the highest rating of 4 stars, from Charity Navigator for the 15th consecutive year. Charity Navigator, is an independent evaluator of charities in the U.S.
TRF earned this recognition for adhering to sector best practices and executing its mission in a financially efficient way, demonstrating both strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.
“We are delighted to provide The Rotary Foundation with third-party accreditation that validates their operational excellence,” said Michael Thatcher, President and CEO of Charity Navigator. “The Four-Star Rating is the highest possible rating an organization can achieve. We are eager to see the good work that Rotary is able to accomplish in the years ahead.”
Charity Navigator assesses nonprofit performance based on four key indicators, including the impact of the charity’s program relative to cost; the organization’s governance and financial health including its transparency, efficiency, and sustainability; a charity’s leadership capacity, strategic development, and ability to adapt to internal and external changes; and its overall culture and
Donations
Because Rotary adds the time and talent of Rotarians to the money, they are able to accomplish so much more than if the just had money alone. Donated dollars go a long way toward improving things all the way from the local communities to world-wide efforts. For example:
- For as little as 60 cents, a child can be protected from polio.
- $50 can provide clean water to help fight waterborne illness.
- $500 can launch an antibullying campaign and create a safe environment for children.
Our Paul Harris donations go to The Rotary Foundation, and can be directed specifically to a RI cause or to the general fund at TRF. Each $1000 donated can be counted as a Paul Harris donation, and RI provides a recognition pin for each $1000 Paul Harris donation.
Final Thoughts
As members of our Loveland Rotary Club, we are fortunate that we have two foundations ("The Rotary Foundation" and our local "Loveland Rotary Foundation") where we can request money for projects we think would be beneficial and where we can make tax deductible donations knowing the money will be used effectively and efficiently.
Any person is eligible to make donations to either of these foundations. One does not have to be a Rotarian to make a donation.
To read more about The Rotary Foundation with Rotary International and to donate (including choosing the program you want to support) click here. If you have questions, contact Jon Kindschy or Carol Stark.
Contributions to our Loveland Rotary Foundation can be given to Suzanne Peterson or mailed to Loveland Rotary Club Foundation, P.O. Box 304, Loveland, CO 80539.