The Rotary FoundationIn 1917, RI President Arch C. Klumph proposed that an endowment be set up “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” In 1928, when the endowment fund had grown to more than US$5,000, it was renamed The Rotary Foundation, and it became a distinct entity within Rotary International.
Five Trustees, including Klumph, were appointed to “hold, invest, manage, and administer all of its property . . . as a single trust, for the furtherance of the purposes of Rotary International.” Two years later, the Foundation made its first grant of $500 to the International Society for Crippled Children. The Depression and World War II impeded the Foundation’s growth. After the war the need for lasting world peace generated greater interest in its development. After Rotary’s founder, Paul P. Harris, died in 1947, contributions began pouring into Rotary International, and the Paul Harris Memorial Fund was created to build the Foundation. Since the first donation of $26.50 in 1917, it has received contributions totaling more than $1 billion. In 2003-04 more than $70 million was donated. More than one million individuals have been recognized as Paul Harris Fellows – (people who have given $1,000 to the Annual Programs Fund or have had that amount contributed in their name) In 1947 Ambassadorial Scholarships were established. In 1965-66, three new programs were launched: Group Study Exchange,Awards for Technical Training, Grants for Activities in keeping with the Objectives of The Rotary Foundation. (These were later called Matching Grants) The Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants programme was launched in 1978. In 1980 Rotary Volunteers were created as a part of that programme. In 1984-5 Polio Plus was announced. 1986 Rotary Grants for University Teachers were established 1987-88 saw the first peace forums held, leading to the Foundation’s Peace and conflict studies programmes. Now The Rotary Foundation has a 15 person Board of Trustees. (Four of these must be past Rotary International World Presidents) The Trustees appoint Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinators. They look after a Rotary Zone. Our Zone, New Zealand is (7 b). Each of the 532 Districts in the world appoints a Chairman for a District Rotary Foundation Committee. Each Club appoints a Director or Chair for a Club’s Rotary Foundation Committee. We in this club make a $50 donation to the Rotary Foundation through our annual subscriptions. Some members also pay more directly to the Foundation through various payment options available. Annual Programs Fund
Rotary Foundation Sustaining MemberContributes at least US$100 every year to the Annual Programs Fund
US$100 ContributionTwo desks for elementary school in Honduras 50 mosquito nets for women and children in Tanzania One year of tuition for a high school student in China Paul Harris FellowRotarian who contributes US$1,000 or in whose name $1,000 is contributed.
US$1,000 ContributionOne portable dental chair for dental care to indigenous children in Mexico 400 pairs of eyeglasses for patients in Nigeria Micro credit loans for 23 women in the Philippines to support their families BenefactorA provision in estate plan to gift a minimum of US$1,000 to The Rotary Foundation An outright gift of US$1,000 to Permanent Fund
Bequest SocietyA provision in an estate plan totaling US$10,000 or more to the Foundation Examples: living will, life insurance policy
Over the years the Rotary Club of Nelson
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Peace and Conflict Resolution
Disease Prevention and Treatment
Water and Sanitation
Maternal and Child Health
Basic Education and Literacy
Economic and Community Development