The Rotary Foundation

The Rotary Foundation is Rotary’s charitable arm. It helps Rotarians turn ideas into action by supporting projects that improve health, provide education, protect the environment, and alleviate poverty.

For more than 100 years, the Foundation has helped Rotary clubs and districts deliver service both locally and around the world. Through grants, scholarships, and global programs, Rotary members are able to make a lasting difference in communities where help is needed most.

Learn more about The Rotary Foundation on the official Rotary website: The Rotary Foundation

What the Foundation does

The Rotary Foundation supports work in four main ways:

Grants for projects
Clubs and districts can apply for grants to support community projects, international partnerships, humanitarian work, and scholarships.
Explore Rotary grants

Global impact programs
The Foundation helps fund major Rotary efforts such as polio eradication and peacebuilding.
End Polio Now
Peace Fellowships

Scholarships and peacebuilding
Rotary Peace Fellowships bring together future leaders working in peace and conflict resolution.
Rotary Peace Centers

Support for local clubs and districts
A portion of annual giving returns to districts through Rotary’s grant system, helping clubs support projects close to home.

Rotary’s areas of focus

Rotary concentrates its work in the areas where it can have the greatest impact:

• Peacebuilding and conflict prevention
• Disease prevention and treatment
• Water, sanitation and hygiene
• Maternal and child health
• Basic education and literacy
• Community and economic development
• Supporting the environment

Read more here: Areas of focus

How giving works

Rotarians and friends of Rotary support the Foundation through voluntary donations. Contributions can be directed to areas such as:

• Annual Fund
• PolioPlus
• Endowment Fund

The Annual Fund is Rotary’s main source of support for grants and Foundation programs.
Learn about giving

Recognition and giving credit

Personal giving to The Rotary Foundation can also help members build Rotary recognition.

A few useful points:

• Personal donations can earn Foundation recognition points
• Those points can be used to recognise individuals
• Points can help a member become a Paul Harris Fellow
• Larger lifetime giving levels are recognised through Major Donor and Arch Klumph Society honours

Members can check their own giving and recognition progress in My Rotary:
My Rotary

Club leaders can also view member recognition details through Rotary’s membership tools.

Giving in Australia

For Australian donors, contributions made through the Australian Rotary Foundation Trust may be tax deductible, depending on the type of gift. It is always best to check the current rules before making a donation.

Tax deductibility information

Why it matters

Every gift, large or small, helps Rotary do more good.

A donation can help fund:

• a clean water project
• a literacy program
• a health initiative
• a peace scholarship
• a polio vaccination campaign
• a community grant close to home

That is the strength of The Rotary Foundation. It gives Rotary clubs the ability to take service further, with structure, accountability, and measurable impact.

Get involved

There are many ways to support The Rotary Foundation:

• make a personal donation
• encourage regular giving in your club
• support a grant application
• learn more about recognition opportunities
• check your giving record in My Rotary
• talk to your club Foundation chair