The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International transforms your gifts into projects that change lives both close to home and around the world.
 
As the charitable arm of Rotary, the Foundation taps into a global network of Rotarians who invest their time, money, and expertise into our priorities, such as eradicating polio and promoting peace.
 
Foundation grants empower Rotarians to approach challenges such as poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition with sustainable solutions that leave a lasting impact.
 

The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is the charity of choice for many of us, but is not well understood.

 

More and more Rotarians are coming to realise that by giving their charity donation to the  Rotary Foundation, they are not only supporting their own organisation but they are also getting  the most benefit for their donation. The Rotary Foundation puts 90%+ of all income into projects, but additionally most all the money spent is channeled back through Rotary club  projects, where districts and clubs also add to the value of the project both in funds and in kind. 

It is therefore true to say that every $1.00 given to The Rotary Foundation is equal to $3.00 of value at the point of need.

Donors may choose to direct their donations to the Annual Fund (the default), the World Fund, or to one of the Foundation's six areas of focus.  Most donations go to the Annual Fund which is the primary source of funding projects.  At the end of each year, the Annual Fund is distributed equally to the World Fund and to the District Designated Fund.  The World Fund provides worldwide grant and program opportunities to all Rotary Districts.  The District Designated Fund is used to fund Foundation grants and programs chosen by each District.  (There is also a Permanent Fund to ensure the long term viability of the Foundation.  This includes normal gifts as well as testamentary and other charitable gifts.)

Individual donations can be tax deductible.

Importantly, contributions made by our clubs and district are returned to the District three years later.  In the meantime, the interest earned helps pay for general administration and fund development expenses.

This year, the District has dealt with US$506,000 of funding from The Rotary Foundation - $96,000 in club grants and $380,000 in Global Grants.

CNBC, one of the leading consumer and business news media outlets in the USA ranked The Rotary Foundation at No. 5 in it's list of top 10 charities in the world.  Charities were chosen for changing the world while maintaining excellent financial standards.

Every Rotarian is encouraged to contribute to the Annual Fund every year and to participate in a Foundation Grant or program every year.  Every Rotarian, Every Year (EREY) is the name given to that campaign.

The Australian version of EREY is the Centurion program where members commit to contribute A$100 a year to The Rotary Foundation.

 

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