What started out as a modest idea in 1917 by Rotary president Arch Klumph to “do good in the world” through an endowment is now a worldwide force operating as the Rotary Foundation. An update on the goals and impact of the Foundation was given at this week’s meeting by club member and District PolioPlus Chair Paul Stromborg. Stromborg explained the different Foundation causes which are: Promoting Peace; Fighting Disease, Providing Clean Water; Saving mothers and Children; Supporting Education; and Growing Local Economies. The Foundation has a top rating from charity monitors with 90% of dollars collected going for projects. Funds donated to the Foundation are held for three years after which time 47.5% is put in the Foundation’s World Fund, 47.5% is returned to Districts for local projects, and the other 5% goes towards operations.
The worldwide impact of the Foundation is exemplified by the PolioPlus eradication effort. Stromborg explained it started in 1979 with a plan to eliminate polio in the Philippines through vaccinations and has now succeeded in making 99.9% of the world Polio-free. Only Afghanistan and Pakistan have active cases. Since polio elimination became a focus of the Rotary Foundation, an estimated 19-million cases of paralysis were prevented and $40-to-$50-billion was saved in health care costs. Strengthening new child immunizations, early detection of outbreaks, and rapid response to outbreaks are seen as keys to stamping out polio altogether according to Stromborg.
Stromborg spoke about the importance of regularly donating to the Foundation. The “Every Rotarian Every Year” campaign promotes donating $100 a year (able to be assessed at $25 quarterly as an addition to dues). He also noted the giving level recognitions of Paul Harris Fellow (for each $1,000 in accumulated donations) and Major Donor designation for accumulated giving at $10,000 levels. There are also options for estate plan giving.