The Rotary Foundation
The Rotary Foundation (TRF) is a not-for-profit corporation that supports the
efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace through
international humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs. It is
supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the
Foundation who share its vision of a better world.
The Foundation was created in 1917 by Rotary International's sixth president,
Arch C. Klumph, as an endowment fund for Rotary "to do good in the
world." It has grown from an initial contribution of US$26.50 to more than
US$73 million contributed in 2000-01. Its event-filled history is a story of
Rotarians learning the value of service to humanity.
The Foundation's Humanitarian Programs fund international Rotary club and
district projects to improve the quality of life, providing health care, clean
water, food, education, and other essential needs primarily in the developing
world. One of the major Humanitarian Programs is
PolioPlus, which seeks to
eradicate the polio virus worldwide. Through its Educational Programs, the
Foundation provides funding for some 1,200 students to study abroad each year.
Grants are also awarded to university teachers to teach in developing countries
and for exchanges of business and professional people.
Foundation Funding
Annual Programs Fund
Contributions
Purpose:
Provide the necessary funding for operation of Rotary Foundation programs.
How fund works:
Contributions made by individuals, clubs, and districts are invested for three
years.
After three years:
• 50% of the original contribution is returned to the district through the
District Designated Fund (DDF).
• 50% of the original contribution is provided to the World Fund to support
humanitarian programs and to provide one Group Study Exchange per district.
• Investment earnings support administrative costs and may be used to benefit
Foundation humanitarian and educational programs.
Recognition: Gifts to the
Annual Programs Fund count towards Paul Harris Fellow Recognition, Multiple Paul
Harris Fellow Recognition, and Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member Recognition.
Permanent Fund Gifts
Purpose: Ensure the long-term
viability of TRF and its programs. Earnings from the Permanent Fund, an endowed
fund, enable TRF to expand existing programs and/or underwrite new humanitarian,
cultural, and educational programs.
How fund works:
Contributions made by individuals are invested in perpetuity. A percentage
of the total value of the fund is spent annually to benefit the programs of TRF.
Types:
• Testamentary gifts through a will or estate plan
• Life income gifts (i.e., Charitable Remainder Trusts, Charitable Gift
Annuities, Pooled Income Fund)
• Testamentary gifts through a will or estate plan
• Outright gifts of property, cash, or investments
Recognition: Anyone who
notifies TRF that he or she has made provision in his or her will or estate
plan, or who makes an outright gift of at least $1,000 is recognized by the
Trustees as a Benefactor. Those who inform the Foundation that they have made a
major gift commitment ($10,000 or more) in their final estate plan will receive
Rotary Foundation Bequest Society Recognition.
(Source: Rotary International
Web Site)
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