THE ROTARY FOUNDATION
The purpose of The Rotary Foundation is the furthering of understanding and friendly relations among people of different nations through fostering of tangible and effective programs of philanthropic, charitable, educational or cultural in nature. The Rotary Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation that is supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world.
The Foundation was created in 1917 by Rotary International's sixth president, Arch C. Klumph, as an endowment fund for Rotary "to do good in the world." It has grown from an initial contribution of US$26.50 to more than US$117.9 million contributed in 2004-05. The Foundation's Humanitarian Programs fund international Rotary club and district projects to improve the quality of life, providing health care, clean water, food, education, and other essential needs primarily in the developing world. One of the major Humanitarian Programs is PolioPlus, which seeks to eradicate the poliovirus worldwide. Through its Educational Programs, the Foundation provides funding for some 1,200 students to study abroad each year.
The Rotary Foundation is there for one reason and one reason alone and that is to support the educational and humanitarian efforts of Rotarians. The programs of The Rotary Foundation are:
