[vc_row full_width=”” parallax=”” parallax_image=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]November is Rotary Foundation month and a good time to learn all about it. The Foundation was formed by Paul Harris in 1917 with the mission of promoting world understanding, goodwill, and peace. The initial endowment donation of $26.50 has grown substantially over the past 98 years. Now, about $8 million per year is available to support Rotary programs worldwide.
Taiwan leads the way in annual giving to the Foundation with an average of $205 per Taiwanese Rotarian being donated to the fund. Donations made to the fund are untouched for three years. 92% of endowment funds are used on programs; 6% on fundraising, and about 2% on administration.
The Foundation supports 4 major areas: Annual Fund, Endowment Fund, Polio Plus, and Rotary Peace Centers. These areas are in line with Rotary International’s six areas of focus:
Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution,
Education and Literacy,
Economic and Community Development,
Clean Water and Sanitation,
Maternal and Child Health, and
Disease Prevention and Treatment.
A $1000 donation to the Foundation can provide HIV anti-viral drugs, increased mobility for disabled youth, and/or domestic abuse education.
When the Polio Plus initiative was launched in 1985 there were 350,000 cases of Polio in 125 countries. As of 2013, Rotary had contributed $1.2 billion and immunized 2 billion children. As of this year, Polio has been eradicated in all but 2 countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. Nigeria was recently declared Polio-free but has experienced some flare-ups. It costs only 60 cents to vaccinate a child, and the immunization includes protection against Diphtheria and Tetanus. Rotary organizes national immunization days in which Rotarians can participate.
Rotary Foundation has several levels of recognition:
Sustaining Member: $100 donation every year. Counts toward the Paul Harris Fellow designation,
Paul Harris Fellow: Cumulative giving of $1000. Recognition pin for every additional $1000 given,
Paul Harris Society: $1000 donation every year,
Benefactor: Provides for the Foundation in his/her estate or makes an outright gift of $1000 or more to the Endowment Fund.
For additional information on the Foundation, go to https://www.rotary.org/en/about-rotary/financials and
https://www.rotary.org/myrotary/en/document/rotary-foundation-reference-guide[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]