Rotary Foundation

The Rotary Foundation of RI is a not-for-profit corporation whose mission is to support the efforts of Rotary International in the fulfillment of the Object of Rotary, Rotary’s mission, and the achievement of world understanding and peace through local, national, and international humanitarian, educational, and cultural programs.

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Financial Support

In 2004-05, The Rotary Foundation received contributions totaling US$117.9 million and spent $110.2 million in support of humanitarian and educational programs implemented by clubs and districts. Contributions from Rotarian’s go into one of three main funds:

• Annual Program Fund provides grants and awards through Foundation programs;
• Permanent Fund is an endowment from which only a portion of the earnings are spent in support of Foundation programs, ensuring the long-term viability of the Foundation;
• Polioplus Fund supports Rotary’s dream of a polio-free world.

Every dollar contributed by Rotarian’s funds the humanitarian, educational, and cultural programs and program operations. Clubs and districts apply for and receive Foundation grants to carry out many worthy projects worldwide. To maintain sufficient funding for these vital programs, the Foundation launched the Every Rotarian, Every Year initiative, designed to increase annual giving to $100 per capita or more.

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Educational Programs

These programs promote international understanding by bringing together people from different countries and cultures.

• Ambassadorial Scholarships is the world’s largest, privately funded international scholarships program for university-level studies, sending about 750 students each year to serve as ambassadors of goodwill while abroad.
• Rotary World Peace Fellowships are awarded to individuals for study in master’s degree programs at the Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution.
• Rotary Peace and Conflict Studies Fellowships are awarded to individuals for study in a short-term certificate program at the Rotary Center for Peace and Conflict Studies in Thailand.
• Group Study Exchange is a short-term cultural and vocational exchange program between districts in different countries for professionals ages 25-40.
• Rotary Grants for University Teachers are awarded to higher-education faculty to teach abroad in an academic field of practical use to people in a low-income country.

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Humanitarian Grants Program

Humanitarian grants enable Rotarian’s to increase their support of international service projects that provide water wells, medical care, literacy classes, and other essentials to people in need. Rotarian participation is key to the success of these projects.

• District Simplified Grants enable districts to support service activities or humanitarian endeavors that benefit the local or international communities.
• Volunteer Service Grants help cover the travel of individual Rotarian’s and their spouses as they plan needed projects or provide essential services in a community.
• Matching Grants assist Rotary clubs and districts in carrying out humanitarian projects with clubs in other countries.
  Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants fund long-term, self-help, and grassroots development projects that are too large for one club or district to carry out on its own.
• Blane Community Immunization Grants provide US Rotary clubs and districts up to $1,000 in matching funds to improve immunization levels in their communities.