The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. During the past 100 years, the Foundation has spent $3 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects. With your help, we can make lives better in your community and around the world. Find our more about our Foundation...
Foundation Expenditures
(in USD Millions)
Why should I donate to The Rotary Foundation?
Your donation makes a difference to those who need our help most. More than 90 percent of donations go directly to supporting our service projects around the world.
Your donation makes a difference to those who need our help most. More than 90 percent of donations go directly to supporting our service projects around the world.
How does The Rotary Foundation use donations?
Our 35,000 clubs carry out sustainable service projects that support our six causes. With donations like yours, we’ve wiped out 99.9 percent of all polio cases. Your donation also trains future peacemakers, supports clean water, and strengthens local economies.
Our 35,000 clubs carry out sustainable service projects that support our six causes. With donations like yours, we’ve wiped out 99.9 percent of all polio cases. Your donation also trains future peacemakers, supports clean water, and strengthens local economies.
What impact can one donation have?
It can save a life. A child can be protected from polio with as little as 60 cents. Our partners make your donation go even further. For every $1 Rotary commits to polio eradication, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed $2.
It can save a life. A child can be protected from polio with as little as 60 cents. Our partners make your donation go even further. For every $1 Rotary commits to polio eradication, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed $2.
EXPLORE OUR CAUSES
- Promoting Peace
- Providing Clean Water
- Saving Mothers & Children
- Supporting Education
- Growing Local Economies
- Fighting Disease
- Ending Polio
Foundation history
At the 1917 convention, outgoing Rotary president Arch Klumph proposed setting up an endowment “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” That one idea, and an initial contribution of $26.50, set in motion a powerful force that has transformed millions of lives around the globe. Explore the history of the Rotary Foundation
At the 1917 convention, outgoing Rotary president Arch Klumph proposed setting up an endowment “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” That one idea, and an initial contribution of $26.50, set in motion a powerful force that has transformed millions of lives around the globe. Explore the history of the Rotary Foundation
Ways To Give
- ANNUAL FUND
- Your gift to the Annual Fund helps Rotary clubs take action today to create positive change in communities at home and around the world. Your contributions help us strengthen peace efforts, provide clean water and sanitation, support education, grow local economies, save mothers and children, and fight disease.
- The Every Rotarian Every Year initiative asks every Rotarian to support The Rotary Foundation every year. In addition to contributing to the Annual Fund on a regular basis, members are encouraged to get involved in a Foundation project or program.
- WORLD FUND
- The World Fund provides the necessary funding for our highest priority activities around the globe. While 50% of SHARE-designated contributions are applied to the World Fund, you can also direct your entire gift to the fund. The Foundation uses the money to pay for grant and program opportunities available to all Rotary districts.
- RECURRING GIVING (ROTARY DIRECT)
- The Annual Fund is the primary source of funding for all Foundation activities. Support our efforts year round by making a recurring gift. You choose how often and how much you want to give—it's a simple and secure way to make a big impact.
- A monthly, quarterly, or annual gift option is available for all online contributions. If you prefer, you may return the completed Rotary Direct enrollment form or enroll by phone at +1-866-976-8279.
- To update your existing recurring giving contributions, please email rotarydirect@rotary.org or call +1-866-976-8279. For security reasons, changes to your credit card information should be made by phone.
- SUPPORT A SPECIFIC CAUSE
- You can direct your Annual Fund contributions to SHARE, the World Fund, or one of Rotary's areas of focus funds, and all contributions are spent wisely on quality Rotary projects.
- Annual Fund contributions that are directed to the Foundation's six areas of focus are credited toward a club's annual giving goal and per capital giving calculations.
Learn more about the many ways you can give to the Rotary Foundation
Be Recognized
All Annual Fund contributions count toward the following recognition opportunities:
- Every Rotarian Every Year
- Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member
- Paul Harris Fellow
- Paul Harris Society
- Major Donor
- Arch Klumph Society
Learn more about the ways you and your club can be recognized for its donation to the Rotary Foundation.