The Rotary Foundation is Rotary’s own, and only, Charity started in 1917 by the Rotary Club of Kansas City. It officially became a foundation in 1928 and is now of the world’s foremost non-governmental foundations.
Rotary Foundation focuses on six key areas:
- Basic education & literacy
- Community / economic development
- Disease prevention and treatment
- Maternal & child healthcare
- Peace building & conflict resolution
- Water, sanitation & hygiene
Charity Navigator, an inspector of US based charities, has consistently given Rotary Foundation its highest 4-star rating with 91% of donated funds go to the programme.
It is said that every minute of every day, Rotary will touch the lives of millions somewhere in the world.
Eradicating Polio
In 1988 Rotary launched what was to become its biggest and best known project. After 3 years of fund-raising, $247 million was invested into a vaccination programme to eradicate polio.
At the time, around 300,000 people contracted polio each year, many of whom would be left permanently disabled.
In 2021 just 5 cases were recorded – 4 in Afghanistan and 1 in Pakistan. Parts of Afghanistan have been impossible to reach for some years however the Taliban, now in control of the region, are supporting our efforts, enabling far more children to be vaccinated than in recent years.
Fund Raising
Foundation is supported by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and donations from the general public who share our vision of a better world. When Rotary Founder Paul Harris died in 1947 a telegram was sent to every Rotarian asking for contributions raising an incredible $1.3 million dollars.
There is an ambition that every Rotarian will give or raise $100 a year for Foundation and our club has a proud history of not only meeting, but exceeding this goal. Some Rotarians choose to achieve this by becoming ‘Sustaining Members’ who commit to paying the amount each year by direct debit.
Rotary Foundation in the United Kingdom (RFUK) is an Associate Foundation of the international charitable trust. Based at Alcester in Warwickshire, RFUK handles Gift Aid, legacies, covenants and ordinary contributions from Rotarians and individuals.
| Foundation Leader | Nigel Collins |