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The Rotary Foundation Of Rotary International turns 100 . 

 In  2017, our Rotary Foundation turns 100. That’s a century of Rotary members changing lives and improving communities all over the world. And that’s definitely something worth celebrating. Through our Foundation, Rotary members have supported thousands of projects to provide clean water, fight disease, promote peace, provide basic education, and grow local economies. The Foundation is also  a leader in the fight to eradicate polio worldwide.
 
The mission of  The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.
 
The Rotary Foundation helps fund Rotary’s  humanitarian activities, from local service projects to global initiatives. Rotary Clubs and Districts can apply for grants from the Foundation to invest in projects and provide scholarships. The Foundation also leads the charge on worldwide Rotary campaigns such as eradicating polio and promoting peace. Rotary Clubs , Rotarians and friends of Rotary support the Foundation’s work through voluntary contributions.
 
History of the Foundation
 
It started at  the 1917 Rotary convention, (then called the International Association of  Rotary clubs),when  outgoing Rotary President Arch Klumph proposed to set up an endowment “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” This was twelve years after the founding of Rotary  in 1905. In 1928, it was renamed The Rotary Foundation, and it became a distinct entity within Rotary International. Arch Klumph’s idea for an endowment fund dedicated to “doing good in the world” planted the seed of The Rotary Foundation in 1917. Thanks to his vision and staunch advocacy, and the extraordinary generosity of Rotary members worldwide, that fund has become one of the world’s leading humanitarian foundations.
 
” We should not live for ourselves alone, but for the joy in doing good for others.”
– Arch Klumph, founder of The Rotary Foundation
 
 “The Rotary Foundation is the most visible expression of Rotarian generosity – a generosity that not only brings benefits but also brings help and cooperation to solve the problems that affect mankind.”
– Paulo V. Costa, 1995-96 Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair in a speech to the 1996 convention
 
From its  first donation of $26.50 in 1917, the Foundation has received contributions totaling more than $1 billion. In 1929, the Foundation made its first gift of $500 to the International Society for Crippled Children. The organization, created by Rotarian Edgar F. “Daddy” Allen, later grew into Easter Seals.
When Rotary founder Paul Harris died in 1947, contributions began pouring in to Rotary International, and the Paul Harris Memorial Fund was created to build the Foundation.
 

Evolution of Foundation Programs

1947: The Foundation established its first program, Fellowships for Advance Study, later known as Ambassadorial Scholarships.
1965-66: Three programs were launched: Group Study Exchange, Awards for Technical Training, and Grants for Activities in Keeping with the Objective of The Rotary Foundation, which was later called Matching Grants.
1978: Rotary introduced the Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants. The first 3-H Grant funded a project to immunize 6 million Philippine children against polio.
1985: The PolioPlus program was launched to eradicate polio worldwide.
1987-88: The first peace forums were held, leading to Rotary Peace Fellowships.
2013: New district, global, and packaged grants enable Rotarians around the world to respond to the world’s greatest needs.
Through our Foundation, Rotary members have supported thousands of projects to provide clean water, fight disease, promote peace, provide basic education, and grow local economies. We’ve also been a leader in the fight to eradicate polio worldwide.

LEADERSHIP

The Foundation is managed by  The Board of Trustees  which manages the business of the Foundation, led by the trustee chair. The Rotary International president-elect nominates the trustees, who are elected by the Rotary International Board of Directors. The trustee chair serves for one year and trustees serve for four years.
The centennial is the perfect time to share this impressive record with the world. 

Some notable legacies

 “In 1944, Paul Harris created a charitable trust, which stipulated that the income would accrue to him during his lifetime and to his wife, Jean, after he died. Upon her death, the balance of the trust would go to The Rotary Foundation. Jean died in 1964, and the Trustees accepted the bequest and honored Harris' request that the money be used to educate underprivileged children.”
Others have designated that their gift be used to support a favorite Rotary Foundation program in the name of a loved one. Sir Angus Mitchell, the first Australian to become president of Rotary (1948-49), helped launch this tradition in 1949, when he established a scholarship for an Australian student in honor of his wife, to be known as the Teenie Robertson Mitchell Memorial Fellowship. Thus began a long tradition that continues to this day “.  There are many others through the world that have made similar gifts.  Reference Chapter 11, "It's Not Just About the Money": "Doing Good in the World: The Inspiring Story of The Rotary Foundation's First 100 Years."

World Charity Ranking

CNBC has ranked The Rotary Foundation No. 3 in its annual list of Top 10 Charities Changing the World in 2016. The list includes some of the largest and highest-rated charities that help women, children, the poor, and the environment throughout the world, according to Charity Navigator, and that maintain high standards of financial health, accountability, and transparency of reporting.
The Association of Fundraising Professionals has recognized The Rotary Foundation with its annual Award for Outstanding Foundation. Note all top three charities were awarded 100 points each, but as they were listed in alphabetical order the Foundation was listed as third.
The Foundation was noted for connecting 1.2 million members from more than 200 geographic areas to tackle the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges, including projects that focus on disease prevention, water and sanitation, and maternal and child health. The ranking also recognized Rotary’s role in the effort to eradicate polio. 
The Foundation ranked No. 5 on CNBC’s list in 2015.
The award honors organizations that show philanthropic commitment and leadership through financial support, innovation, encouragement of others, and involvement in public affairs. Some of the boldest names in American giving — Kellogg, Komen, and MacArthur, among others —are past honorees.

 The Foundation and the Rotary Club of Engadine

Engadine Rotary has not only been a strong supporter of the Foundation , but has drawn on the Foundation through its grants to fund a number of overseas water projects notably
 
1.Provision of water tanks for the Rotahomes project in Fiji. Funding provided 11 tanks of which a third of the funds came equally from Club, District and Foundation Grants .  
2.Provision of Water Tanks in Oro Province PNG following Cyclone Hugo in  2007. Funding came from 5 other clubs including Engadine and Kiama, District and Foundation Grants. For details of this project see item under RAWCS menu, Some 60 tanks were provided over a three - four year period
 
Engadine continues to make regular contributions to the Foundation by way of Paul Harris Fellowships . Since 1987 to date some 45 Paul Harris Fellowships have been awarded to Club members and other members of the community and organisations.
 
Please donate 

“We should not live for ourselves alone, but for the joy in doing good for others.”

– Arch Klumph, founder of The Rotary Foundation

To make a donation to the Australian arm of the Rotary Foundation click on the below lin

http://www.tarft.org.au/giving/donations-2/