Foundation Facts - Mission
Posted by Rick Merrill
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 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. Its event-filled history is a story of Rotarians learning the value of service to humanity.
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. The 3 major facets of the Humanitarian Programs are PolioPlus, Humanitarian Grants and Educational Programs.
The Rotary Club of Flushing is well aware of and has been active thru personal involvement as well as thru donations in one of the major Humanitarian Programs - PolioPlus, which seeks to eradicate the poliovirus worldwide. With Rotary's assistance, Polio is close to being eradicated and our attention will be in the maintenance/monitoring phase to prevent further outbreaks.
Through its Educational Programs, the Foundation provides funding for some 1,200 students to study abroad each year. Grants are also awarded to university teachers to teach in developing countries and for exchanges of business and professional people. Former participants in the Foundation's programs have the opportunity to continue their affiliation with Rotary as Foundation Alumni.
The third major component of the major Humanitarian programs is the 3 H ( Health, Hunger and Humanity ) Grants. The Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants program funds longterm,
self-help grassroots development projects that are too large for one club or district to implement on its own. 3-H Grants range from US$100,000 to $300,000 paid out over two
to five years. Some of these sample 3 H grants include implementing a literacy program in the Solomon Islands and providing sanitation, drinking water and agricultural / health training to indigenous people in Brazil. Our Clubs and Districts involvement in the Arusha water project is also an excellent example of a 3 H grant program
Please remember that any Foundation program can be successful only if it is embraced and actively supported, whether thru donations and/or personal involvement of the Rotary club members.