Each year, Rotary International highlights November as Rotary Foundation Month to emphasize the importance of and need for Rotarian support of The Rotary Foundation.Our Rotary Foundation has been recognized as one of the top foundations in the world with a four-star rating by Charity Navigator, the highest recognition available.
Every dollar contributed by Rotarians funds humanitarian and educational programs and program operations. Clubs and districts apply for and receive Foundation grants to carry out worthy projects worldwide.
If Rotary is to be there to teach children to read, build wells, feed the hungry, care for the sick, shelter the poor; then Every Rotarian is invited and encouraged to support the Annual Fund with a personal
contribution, Every Year.A Rotarian giving a minimum donation of $25.00 a year is recognized as an Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) donor. Over a third of the Rotarians worldwide qualify for the EREY recognition.
Without sustained support of the Annual Fund, the programs of The Rotary Foundation cannot happen. But with contributions of $100 from every member every year, we could nearly double our efforts to help people in need. Someone who contributes $100 or more to the Annual Fund every year is a Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member.
We recognize generous donors who give $1,000 or more to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus Fund, or an approved Foundation grant as Paul Harris Fellows. It’s the Foundation’s best-known recognition for individual donors. The $1,000 can be given all at once or in several donations over time. All Paul Harris Fellows receive a pin and certificate. For each additional $1,000 given, they receive multiple Paul Harris Fellow recognition, including a pin with the number and kind of stone(s) determined by the amount donated up to $9,000.
For the last four years our district has run a Rotary Rush Campaign. This Rotary year a very generous district donor will be matching any donation you make that gets you half way to your first or next Paul Harris recognition level to get you the rest of the way. More information to come.
How can I make a gift in support of the Rotary Foundation?
Visit the Rotary International website (my.rotary.org/en/donate) to make your gift: one time, regular/sustaining (recurring gift at the timing of your choice), to the program area of your choice – all of the information is there for you to choose what would be most meaningful to you.
No matter how you choose to give, I hope you’ll support our Foundation by donating to the Annual Fund, the PolioPlus Fund, or approved Foundation grants this year. Remember, gifts of any size have a big impact when they’re put to use by our Foundation and added to the gifts of our network of Rotarians around the world. Also remember that if your company matches charitable donations, consider having it match yours. Request a matching gift form from your employer, and send the completed and signed form to the Foundation along with your contribution. Write to our Annual Giving staff at annualfund@rotary.org for details.
Material adapted with permission from District Foundation Chair John Wasta