What is The Rotary Foundation?
Founded in 1905, Rotary International (RI) came to need solid financial support in order to succeed and endure over time. This need was met in 1917 through the efforts of RI's 6th President, Arch C. Klump, with the creation of the “Rotary Endowment Fund,” which became institutionalized in 1928 and attained legal status under the name “The Rotary Foundation.”
Its Founding
While its assets amounted to 26.50 dollars at its founding in 1917, by 1928 these assets had risen to 5,000 USD. In 2007, the total assets and liabilities of The Rotary Foundation exceeded one billion USD.
Today, it would not be wrong to attribute the worldwide success of the Rotary organization to the assets and financial strength of The Rotary Foundation. The Foundation sets as its goals “Achieving Rotary's Purpose and Mission” and “Promoting Understanding and Peace in the World.”
Its Programs
Rotary International has developed programs to channel the support of The Rotary Foundation into projects in order to ensure Rotary's continuity and to strengthen clubs and increase their effectiveness. The main categories of programs supported by The Rotary Foundation are as follows:
- The fight against polio
- Humanitarian aid
- Educational programs
- World peace
Contributions
The Rotary Foundation draws its core strength from everyone who, like Rotarians, wishes to serve humanity around the world. The financial resources for the support the Foundation provides to projects also come from the contributions made by these people. Contributions made to the Foundation are offered to society as support for projects that bring together members of Rotary Clubs in many countries and their ideas.
Since its founding, the total amount of all project support provided by the Foundation has reached 3.4 BILLION USD. For example, in the 2014-15 period (over 12 months), a total of 265 million USD was spent on projects worldwide. During this period, the largest single item of project support was the 123 million USD spent to eradicate polio from the world. We invite everyone who wishes to serve humanity to contribute to The Rotary Foundation.
Grants
The Rotary Foundation supports projects, scholarships and vocational development training carried out by Rotarians around the world in a wide variety of topics and fields. You too can benefit from The Rotary Foundation to find the most suitable support and grant opportunities for the project you wish to carry out in the areas below.
District Grants
These are resources that clubs can use for regional or international, small-budget projects that can be completed quickly. They can fund projects planned with the participation of one or more clubs and/or more than one district. Projects planned by the club and the district are expected to be completed within one year. Only district approval is required, and the application process is easier and shorter.
Global Grants
Global Grants are large-budget, lasting-impact projects on topics that communities need. They must be planned on subjects that align with one of Rotary International's 6 areas of focus. In these long-term (more than one year) and sustainable projects, the aim is to reach larger audiences by seeking cooperation and broad participation with other NGOs or public institutions.