The Rotary Foundation
of Rotary International is a not-for-profit corporation that promotes
world understanding through international humanitarian service
programs and educational and cultural exchanges. It is supported
solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and others who
share its vision of a better world. Since 1947, the Foundation
has awarded more than US$1.1 billion in humanitarian and educational
grants, which are initiated and administered by local Rotary clubs
and districts.
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.
A child receives a polio vaccination through the
Rotary Foundation Polio Plus project.
A Rotary Foundation Matching Grant brought clean
drinking water to this small villiage.
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.
Former participants in the Foundation's programs have the opportunity
to continue their affiliation with Rotary as Foundation Alumni.
A Matching Grant from the Rotary Foundation provided solar energy
for three rural
schools near Santiago del Estero, Argentina.
You can find out more about the Rotary Foundation by visiting
the Foundation section of the Rotary International web site.
Information on this page came from the following pages at the
Rotary International web site:
About Rotary
The Rotary Foundation
About The Rotary Foundation
Programs of the Rotary Foundation
