The Rotary Foundation
The mission of The Rotary Foundation
(TRF) of Rotary International is to enable Rotarians to advance world
understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health,
the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.
The Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation supported solely by voluntary
contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share
its vision of a better world. Contributions to Rotary Foundation
funds enable Rotarians to carry out humanitarian and educational projects.
Donors may direct their gifts to three main funds: the Annual Programs Fund, which supports the Foundation's
humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs world wide;
the Permanent Fund,
which provides an endowment; and the PolioPlus Fund.
Annual Programs Fund (Every Rotarian, Every Year)
The mission of the Annual Programs Fund mirrors that of The Rotary Foundation: to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.
Contributions to the Annual Programs Fund through the Every Rotarian, Every Year (EREY) initiative are the primary source of funding for Foundation programs, which cover more than 160 countries and geographical areas on seven continents. From digging water wells for villages in Africa to teaching basic literacy skills to children in Latin America, during any given moment, thousands of Rotarians volunteer their time and expertise. All contributions to the Annual Programs Fund are spent wisely on quality Rotary projects.
The Permanent Fund: The Rotary Foundation's endowment fund
A gift to The
Permanent Fund, The Rotary Foundation's endowment, will go beyond
your lifetime. This fund enables individuals to combine their gifts
into a significant force to address the world's greatest needs for
generations to come.
The initial target of US$200
million for the Permanent Fund was met in 2005, six years ahead of schedule.
The next target is $1 billion by 2025.
In a Rotary year, about $4.5
million from the Permanent Fund is made available to support Foundation
programs.
Polio Plus Fund
Since the PolioPlus
program's inception in 1985, more than two billion children have received
oral polio vaccine. But Rotary's work is not done. The disease has
not yet been eradicated. You may contribute to the PolioPlus Fund online or by mail to
support Rotary's dream of a polio-free world.
As of June 2007, Rotary had
committed nearly US$620 million to global polio eradication. Each year,
it spends about $33 million toward the effort.
Recognition
The Rotary Foundation offers several ways to recognize Rotarians and friends for their generous support.
Paul Harris Fellow
Anyone who contributes $1,000 or more to the Annual Programs Fund or has that amount contributed in their name may become a Paul Harris Fellow.
Sustaining Member
Anyone who contributes US$100
or more per year to the Annual Programs Fund is automatically recognized as a Rotary
Foundation Sustaining Member.
Sustaining Members are critical to the Foundation. If every club member contributed $100 every year, Rotary could nearly double its efforts to help needy people worldwide and support the continued growth of its programs. All gifts cumulatively count toward other Foundation recognition programs.
Benefactor
You may become a Benefactor by making the Permanent Fund a beneficiary in your estate plans or by donating $1,000 or more to the fund outright.
Naming opportunities
A named gift is an outright contribution to Annual Programs Fund that provides immediate funding for a program. One hundred percent of the gift is spent on a designated program in that given year.
Bequest Society
Couples or individuals who have made commitments of $10,000 or more in their estate plans, such as in a will, living trust, or through whole or universal life insurance, can become Bequest Society members.
All Bequest Society members
receive recognition from the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation. Donors
may elect to receive an engraved crystal recognition piece and a Bequest
Society pin. You must ask to become a Bequest Society member by filling
out a form.
Major Donor
The Rotary Foundation recognizes couples or individuals whose combined personal outright or cumulative giving has reached $10,000. All outright contributions made to the Foundation are included in this total, regardless of the gift designation.
Donors may elect to receive
a crystal recognition piece and a Major Donor lapel pin or pendant.
Recognition items commemorate giving at each recognition level:
| Level | Contribution |
| Level Six | $1 million or greater |
| Level Five | $500,000 |
| Level Four | $100,000 |
| Level Three | $50,000 |
| Level Two | $25,000 |
| Level One | $10,000 |
Arch C. Klumph Society
Donors whose cumulative gifts
total $250,000 or more will become members of the Arch C. Klumph Society
and have their photos displayed permanently in the Arch C. Klumph Gallery
at RI headquarters.