Rotary Foundation Month…The magic of the Rotary Foundation
Our speaker today was our fellow Rotarian, Marilyn Bedell.
Marilyn Bedell
Marilyn stated her objectives were to share stories the illustrate the magic of our Rotary Foundation; provide an overview of how the funds that are donated are used; and explain why recognition is an important feature of our Rotary Foundation.
She started out by reminding us about Rotary International’s Vision.
Marilyn then did a quick review of the Rotary’s Action Plan that guided us as we did our visioning session in 2023. We are asked to increase our impact, expand our reach, enhance engagement of members and members of our communities, and continually work to adapt to a changing environment.
She shared the Rotary Foundation’s mission statement. The Rotary Foundation helps Rotary members to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty. The key words in this statement are the words “enable Rotarians”. The Rotary Foundation’s projects are all driven by local Rotarians like you and me. We can have a direct say in how our funds are allocated and used by Rotarians in District 7850.
Currently, our district is involved in two Global Grants. The Rotary Club of Vergennes just completed installation of a new water system in Mexico, giving the community access to clean water. The Rotary Club of Plymouth, in partnership with Common Man for Ukraine is writing a grant that will address trauma recovery for children in Ukraine. Susan Mathison and Steve Rand came to our club to tell us about this project. The goal is to submit the grant by May 2025.
In 2023/2024, 9 District Grants were approved. We received one for the project Cal Wolfe is leading in Kenya for Emmah’s Garden.
Thank you very much from the community Nyandoche Ibere to the Rotary Club of Lebanon, New Hampshire for the water purification support to Emmah’s Garden.
In the recent past we have done large global grants in:
Rwanda (establishing a local peace center);
Emily Gould in the center from the Rotary Club of Montpelier, VT
Ghana (a variety of water projects supported by our Rotarian friend, Walter Hughes)
Marilyn likes to remind Rotarians that back in 2012, our District received a grant for $412,000 to support recovery efforts post tropical Storm Irene.
New septic system funded by the Tropical Storm Irene Grant
Annually, Rotarians in our district have given about $120,000 to the Foundation. This has been true for about 10 years. Of the $120,000 given to the Foundation, 50% will come back to our district to decide how we want to use it. Some of the funds will be matched by the World Fund, which is controlled by the Trustees of the Rotary Foundation.
In 2023/2024, these were the District Grants funded in District 7850:
For the next Rotary year, 2025/2026, our Rotary District (7850) will have approximately $60,600 in District Designated Funds (DDF) to use for Global Grants ($30,300) and District Grants ($30,300). These funds are available thanks to the generous donations of Rotarians, like you, in our District that were given 3 years ago. All donations that are given to the Rotary Foundation are invested for 3 years. The investment interest is used to cover most of the overhead expenses required to run our Foundation. Though Marilyn likes to say that the Foundation holds on to the funds for 3 years because that is the amount of time it takes Rotarian to organize a project.
District Grant applications will be due by April 2, 2025. If you have an idea for a district grant let Marilyn know.
In addition to the funds we give to support District and Global Grants, Annual Programs Fund/Share, we raise funds for:
- Polio – We supports Rotary’s goal of a polio-free world. Contributions fund humanitarian, educational, and cultural programs. Our polio donations are matched 2:1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and they have been doing this since 2009.
- Rotary Peace Centers/Rotary Peace Fellowships- Our covers the 60 master’s level academic scholarships and 20 individual who attend our certificates programs in Uganda, and the one that opens this year in Turkey. Thus we support the Foundation’s mission to increase the capacity of peace builders. Most are funded by endowed funds.
- Disaster Relief – We Supports relief and recovery efforts in areas affected by natural disasters within the past six months. Though Rotary isn’t considered a relief organization but is well positioned to be a recovery organization.
- Program of Scale – We annually support one major grant that will be awarded a budget of $2,000,000, and for the Endowment Fund.
- Endowment – These interest from these funds are used to Supplement our Annual Programs Fund with interest earned (we received approx. $1,000 this year). Endow funds to permit ongoing programs, e.g. Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies Program (Peace Centers) and to Secure Tomorrow. The Endowment Fund ensures the long-term viability of the Foundation and its programs. Contributions are invested in perpetuity and the earnings are used to expand existing activities and underwrite new ones. The goal is for the Endowment fund to reach 2.025 billion by June 30, 2025
Charity Navigator – For the 16th consecutive year, The Rotary Foundation has received the highest rating — four stars — from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities in the U.S. The Foundation earned the recognition for adhering to sector best practices and executing its mission in a financially efficient way, demonstrating both strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency
Your generous contributions to The Rotary Foundation are essential to securing and growing Rotary programs throughout the world. The Rotary Foundation likes to recognize donors to express our gratitude for your commitment, offering individual and club recognition as well as naming opportunities that enable you to honor a friend or family member with a named or endowed gift. Here is a list of the types of recognitions:
Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member
When you give $100 or more per year to the Annual Fund.
Benefactor
When you include the Endowment Fund as a beneficiary of $1,000 or more in your estate plans or when you donate $1,000 or more to the fund outright. Benefactors receive a certificate and insignia to wear with a Rotary or Paul Harris Fellow pin.
Paul Harris Fellow
When you give $1,000 or more to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus, or an approved Foundation grant. To recognize someone else as a Paul Harris Fellow, you can give that amount in their name. Learn more about Paul Harris Fellow recognition.
Multiple Paul Harris Fellow
When you give additional gifts of $1,000 or more to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus, or an approved Foundation grant.
Paul Harris Society member
When you elect to contribute $1,000 or more annually to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus, or an approved Foundation grant. Learn more about the Paul Harris Society.
Bequest Society
When you make a commitment for future gifts of $10,000 or more to The Rotary Foundation, you’ll be invited to join the Bequest Society.
- $10,000: Bequest Society pin and an exclusive art piece suitable for framing
- $25,000: Rotary’s Promise crystal and named endowed fund, plus all of the above
- $50,000: Separate named endowed funds directed to two areas of focus or districts, plus all of the above
- $100,000: Customized Rotary’s Promise crystal, plus all of the above
- $250,000: Posthumous induction into the Arch Klumph Society, plus all of the above
- $500,000: Special seating and registration benefits at the Rotary International Convention, plus all of the above
Major Donor
When your cumulative donations reach $10,000. Major Donors can choose to receive a crystal recognition piece and a Major Donor lapel pin or pendant. NOTE: Name recognition is not automatic and needs to be reported to RI staff. Recognition items commemorate giving at these levels:
- Level 1: $10,000 to $24,999
- Level 2: $25,000 to $49,999
- Level 3: $50,000 to $99,999
- Level 4: $100,000 to $249,999
Arch Klumph Society
When your cumulative donations reach $250,000. Recognition includes an induction ceremony and your picture and biography in the Arch Klumph Society interactive gallery at the Rotary International headquarters in Evanston, Illinois, USA. You also receive invitations to society events, along with membership pins and crystals that commemorate giving at the following levels. Learn more about the Arch Klumph Society.
- Trustees Circle: $250,000 to $499,999
- Chair’s Circle: $500,000 to $999,999
- Foundation Circle: $1,000,000 to $2,499,999
- Platinum Trustees Circle: $2,500,000 to $4,999,999
- Platinum Chair’s Circle: $5,000,000 to $9,999,999
- Platinum Foundation Circle: $10,000,000 and above
Legacy Society
When you promise a gift of $1 million or more to the Endowment, you’ll be listed in Rotary’s annual report and invited to exclusive Rotary International and Foundation events. Legacy Society members also receive special recognition items and all the benefits provided to Bequest Society members
Marilyn ended her talk by reminding us When it comes to giving, it’s up to you to decide what type of donation you want to make. No matter the size of the donation, just know you will be helping to do good in the world.
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