NOVEMBER IS THE ROTARY FOUNDATION MONTH
The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into life-changing projects both close to home and around the world. As the charitable arm of Rotary International, we draw on a global network of Rotarians who invest their time, money, and expertise in our priorities, such as eradicating polio and promoting peace. The Foundation empowers Rotarians to address challenges like poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition with sustainable solutions that create lasting impact.
Strong financial oversight, an outstanding charity rating, and a unique funding model allow us to make the most of your contribution. Give and become part of Rotary’s life-changing work!
The collective leadership and expertise of our 1.2 million members help us tackle some of the world’s greatest challenges—both locally and globally. We are united by shared values and visions for the future, while focusing our efforts on specific causes that reach the communities most in need.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
For more than 100 years, our guiding principles have been the foundation of our values and traditions. The Four-Way Test, the Object of Rotary, and the Avenues of Service express our commitment to service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership.
AREAS OF FOCUS
We direct our efforts across seven key areas to maximize our local and global impact. Our most successful and sustainable projects and activities generally fall into the following categories:
• Promoting peace
• Fighting disease
• Providing clean water
• Saving mothers and children
• Supporting education
• Growing local economies
• Protecting the environment
HISTORY OF THE ROTARY FOUNDATION
At the 1917 convention, outgoing RI President Arch C. Klumph proposed setting up an endowment “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” In 1928, it was renamed The Rotary Foundation and became a distinct entity within Rotary International.
GROWTH OF THE FOUNDATION
In 1929, the Foundation made its first donation of $500 to the International Society for Crippled Children. The organization, founded by Rotarian Edgar F. “Daddy” Allen, later grew into Easter Seals.
When Rotary’s founder Paul Harris passed away in 1947, contributions began pouring into Rotary International, and the Paul Harris Memorial Fund was created to strengthen the Foundation.
EVOLUTION OF FOUNDATION PROGRAMS
1947: The Foundation established its first program, Fellowships for Advanced Study, later known as Ambassadorial Scholarships.
1965–66: Three programs were launched — Group Study Exchange, Technical Training Awards, and Matching Grants, aligned with the Foundation’s mission.
1978: Rotary introduced Health, Hunger, and Humanity (3-H) Grants. The first 3-H Grant funded a project to immunize six million Filipino children against polio.
1985: The PolioPlus program was launched to eradicate polio worldwide.
1987–88: The first Peace Forums were held, leading to the establishment of Rotary Peace Fellowships.
2013: New District, Global, and Packaged Grants enabled Rotarians worldwide to respond to major global needs.
2019: The Programs of Scale initiative began, supporting large-scale projects with grants of up to USD 2 million.
From the first donation of $26.50 in 1917, the Foundation has received contributions totaling over $3 billion — all dedicated to doing good in the world.