The mission of The Rotary Foundation is:
To enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.
The Rotary Foundation of RI is a charitable organization supported entirely by voluntary contributions. The Foundation’s mission is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through projects that improve health, support education, and help alleviate poverty.
Grants
The Foundation provides grants that enable Rotarians to increase their support of local and international service projects. Clubs and districts use Foundation grants for projects that provide essentials to people in need in Rotary’s six areas of focus, such as drilling water wells, setting up a medical clinic, or providing literacy classes.
The needs spanning Rotary’s six areas of focus are vast, ranging from lack of access to clean water to the need for immunization that prevent deadly diseases. Learn more in the Rotary’s Areas of Focus publication.
PolioPlus
Eradicating polio is Rotary’s top priority. The PolioPlus program provides funding and support for the final stages of global polio eradication. Rotary is a spearheading partner with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in this initiative.
As a result of our efforts, over two billion children under age five have received the polio vaccine, five million people who might otherwise be paralyzed are walking today, 500,000 new cases of polio are prevented each year, and the number of polio cases has declined by 99 percent worldwide.
Rotary Peace Centers
The Foundation supports Rotary Peace Fellows, who are chosen from around the globe based on their ability to have a significant, positive impact on world peace and conflict resolution during their careers. Studying at one of the Rotary Peace Centers, Fellows earn graduate degrees or professional development certificates in international relations, public administration, sustainable development, peace studies, conflict resolution, or a related field.
Financial Support
Every dollar contributed to the Foundation funds its humanitarian and educational programs and program operations. The Every Rotarian, Every Year initiative encourages annual per capita giving worldwide of $100 or more to support these vital Foundation programs.
The Rotary Foundation has three main funds:
- Annual Programs Fund, which provides grants and scholarships
- Permanent Fund, an endowment that ensures the long-term viability of the Foundation
- PolioPlus Fund, which supports Rotary’s goal of a polio-free world