Facts About The Rotary Foundation
ROTARY SELECTED FOR 2002 GATES AWARD FOR GLOBAL HEALTH
5.20.2002 Rotary Selectedas Recipient of Gates Award for Global Health SEATTLE -- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today announced that The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, has been selected as the recipient of the 2002 Gates Award
for Global Health. The award recognizes Rotary's leadership and impact in
the field of public health, most notably the organization's top priority of
eradicating polio by 2005. Rotary has contributed over US$462 million
toward polio eradication, and over one million Rotary members have
volunteered their time and personal resources to help immunize more than 2
billion children in 122 countries. The award not only recognizes Rotary's
work to end polio, but also the mobilization of over a million Rotary
members to work in areas of health and sustainable development. Hundreds of
ongoing community service projects are improving the health and welfare of
those in need throughout the world. Examples of Rotary programs include: a
revolving loan program for women in Uganda to break the link between AIDS
and chronic poverty, a project in the Philippines to provide free
tuberculosis screening and treatment for children of pre-school or
elementary age, and water projects that provide clean water in El Salvador.
"The Rotary Foundation is truly deserving of recognition for its exemplary
achievements in the field of global health," said Bill Gates, Sr., co-chair
and CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "I've seen Rotary volunteers
in action and they do tremendous work. We should never take for granted the
generosity and hard work of people in communities everywhere who volunteer
their time and resources to make a difference in the lives of children and
families in both developing and developed nations." The Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation established the Gates Award for Global Health in the amount
of US$1 million to recognize an organization that has made a major and
lasting contribution to the field of global health. The Global Health
Council administers the award process. In selecting this year's recipient,
the Council's board of directors considered the following criteria:
extraordinary contributions toward progress in the knowledge and practice of
health in low-income societies, demonstrated leadership, an established
record of achievement, innovation in program design, organizational
capacity, collaboration with others, evidence that contributions have been
adopted across geographic and organizational boundaries, and substantial
impact on health around the world. "We thank the Gates Foundation for
recognizing the important role that Rotary plays in the effort to improve
the health of men, women and children worldwide," said Luis Vicente Giay,
chairman of The Rotary Foundation. "Rotary receives this award with great
humility, but we are so proud that this honor recognizes the critical role
civil society plays in the fight to give people in developing nations access
to effective immunizations and health care. We hope that the award will
help raise awareness of the crucial need to eradicate polio now - when we
have the opportunity." The award will be presented in Washington, DC, on
Thursday, May 30th, at a dinner during the Global Health Council's 29th
annual international conference, "Global Health in Times of Crisis." Bill
Gates, Sr. will present the award on behalf of the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation. Last year, the first-ever Gates Award was presented to the
Centre for Health and Population Research. Based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, the
Centre focuses on addressing health conditions prevalent in developing
countries and associated with poverty. The Centre pioneered the discovery
and development of oral re-hydration solution (ORS), which today saves the
lives of two-and-a-half-million children each year from diarrhea, the
sickness that used to be the leading infectious killer in the world.
### The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is dedicated to improving people's
lives by sharing advances in health and learning with the global community.
Led by Bill Gates' father, William H. Gates, Sr., and Patty Stonesifer, the
Seattle-based foundation has an asset base of $23 billion. The Global
Health Council is the world's largest membership alliance dedicated to
advancing policies and programs that improve health around the world.
Founded in 1971, the Council promotes better health by assisting all who
work for improvement and equity in global health to secure the information
and resources they need to work effectively.
MISSION The mission of the Rotary Foundation is to support the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace through international humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs.
HISTORY The Rotary Foundation was begun in 1917 by Arch Klumph, sixth President of Rotary International, who convinced a Rotary convention of the need for an endowment for "doing good in the world" in charitable, educational or other avenues of service.
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION NOW FUNDS EACH YEAR
ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS MOST OFTEN ASKED ABOUT THE FOUNDATION...Choose a topic and click:
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How is the Foundation Governed?
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Grants, 3 H Program, Polio Plus, Scholarships,
Discovery, Group Study, Peace Corps
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Investment Schedule
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Major, Planned, Corporate and Individual Giving
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Paul Harris Fellow Recognition, Multiple Recognition, Sustaining Membership
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How Funds are Spent
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Past Rotary Foundation Recipients |
How is the Foundation Governed?
Trustees are appointed by the President of R.I., subject to confirmation by the Board of Directors. Four of the Trustees must be Past presidents of RI. There are 13 Trustees who manage all funds and property, administering, evaluating, developing and initiating programs as well as promoting the Foundation.
ARE ROTARIANS ELGIBLE FOR FOUNDATION GRANTS OR AWARDS? To exemplify the Rotary ideal of Service Above Self", no awards are made to to Rotarians or Rotary employees, their spouses, their parents or grandparents, their children and grandchildren and spouses. Exceptions: Grants for Rotary Volunteers and Grants for University Teachers to Serve in Developing Countries may be awarded to Rotarians to support voulntary service. Group Study Exchange Team Leaders receive air transportation.
Grants, 3 H Program, Polio Plus, Scholarships,
Discovery, Group Study, Peace Corps
Matching Grants for International Humanitarian Projects
WHAT KIND OF PROJECT IS ELGIBLE FOR MATCHING GRANTS? A project must be humanitarian in nature, international in scope, and involve active and substantial participation by Rotarians in at least two countries including a cooperating club or district in the benefiting country. Matching Grants are made for a wide range of activities, including health, water, sanitation, and agricultural projects, all putting the internationally of Rotary to work for those in need.
WHAT KINDS OF PROJECTS ARE NOT ELGIBLE? Projects that benefit an individual or lead to academic degree or professional advancement are not elgible. Neither are projects that involve investment in land, purchase or construction of buildings, payment of salaries, establishment of a foundation or permanent interest- bearing account, or duplication of other Rotary programs or previous projects. Expenses for travel, seminars, and international exchanges are also inelgible for Matching Grants.
DO PROJECT SPONSORS PROVIDE PARTIAL FUNDING FOR MATCHING GRANT PROJECTS? Yes, Rotary sponsors must provide an amount equal to the amount requested from the Foundation, and at least half the sponsor contributions must come from outside the benefiting country. Projects may have funding from other sources, but only funds raised by Rotary clubs or districts can be matched. The sponsor's contributions to an approved Matching Grant project are elgible for Paul Harris Fellow and Paul Harris Sustaining Member recognition if they are sent to the Rotary Foundation after a grant is approved. The maximum amount of the Matching Grant is US$50,000.
HOW DOES A CLUB OR DISTRICT APPLY FOR A MATCHING GRANT? Application forms, which include criteria and guidelines, are available from any RI Service Center. Completed applications should be forwarded to The Rotary Foundation at World Headquarters in Evanston. Twice a year the Trustees consider grant requests between US$15,000 and US$50,000 on a competitive basis. Grant requests of US$15,000 or less are considered on a rolling basis throughout the year as long as funds are available. Grant sponsors should allow at least 15 weeks for processing.
Health, Hunger and Humanitarian (3-H) Grants
WHAT KINDS OF PROJECTS ARE FUNDED THROUGH THE 3 -H PROGRAM? Grants ranging from US$100,000 to US$500,000 fund international projects emphasizing self-help and economic and social development . The 3-H Grants average two to three years in duration, but projects must be sustainable in the long term by local resources. All projects must be actively supported by Rotarians both in the project area and outside the project country.
ARE THERE PROJECTS WHICH CANNOT BE FUNDED THROUGH THE 3-H PROGRAM? The trustees prohibit the use of Foundation Funds for the purchase of land or the purchase or construction of substantial buildings. In addition, 3-H Grants cannot underwrite the operating expenses of another organization or benefit Rotarians or their relatives.
WHAT CONSTITUTES ROTARIAN INVOLVEMENT IN A 3-H PROJECT? Active personal Rotarian involvement is required and can take many forms. Providing volunteer professional or managerial services; providing logistical support to project activities; participating in project public relations and public information efforts; and financial support, are all ways Rotarians can particpate in the project.
Polio Plus
WHAT IS POLIO PLUS? Polio Plus is Rotary's program to help eradicate polio by Rotary's 100th anniversary in 2005. Rotarians, friends of the Rotary Foundation, and others have contributed more than US$247 million to provide polio vaccines and mobilize community resources in support of international collabrative efforts to eradicate polio by the year 2,000. As of 1995 there were 145 polio free countries compared to only 85 in 1985 when Polio Plus first began.
Grants for Rotary Volunteers
WHAT ARE GRANTS FOR ROTARY VOLUNTEERS? The grants help susidize travel and living expenses for volunteers able to serve a minimum of four to eight weeks abroad.
ARE ONLY ROTARIANS ELGIBLE FOR FUNDING? Rotarians, Foundation alumni (former Rotary Scholars, members of Group Study Exchange teams or recipients of Grants for University Teachers) and Rotaracters are elgible for Volunteer Grants.
Carl P. Miller Discovery Grants
WHAT ARE CARL P. MILLER DISCOVERY GRANTS? Discovery Grants-made possible by a generous gift from the late Carl P. Miller RI President 1963-64, and his wife Ruth- provide "seed money" in the form of travel and related expenses for development of international Rotaryservice projects. The grants of up to US$3,000 do not fund the international service projects itself but, rather, support the travel and people-to-people contact in the planning stages.
WHO MAY APPLY FOR A DISCVOVERY GRANT? Only a Rotary club, district or group of clubs or districts are elgible for Discovery Grants, which are awarded twice yearly on a competitive basis.
Ambassadorial Scholarships
WHAT ARE THE KINDS OF AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS? The Foundation currently awards three kinds of scholarships:
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Academic -Year Ambassadorial Scholarships for one academic year of study abroad. |
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Multi-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships for two or three years of specific degree-oriented study abroad. |
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Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarships for three to six months of intensive language study and cultural immersion in another country. |
WHAT DO AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS COVER?
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Academic-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships are intended to help cover round-trip transportation, tuition and fees, reasonable living expenses, limited language training and miscellaneous expenses to a specified financial limit which is US$22,000 in 1997-98. |
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Multi-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships provide flat grants of US$11,000 in 1997-98 for costs related to the pursuit of an academic degree. |
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Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarships supply round-trip transportation, tuition and fees, and reasonable living expenses up to a specified financial limit. |
The Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships program is the largest privately sponsored international scholarships program. Since 1947, more than 27,000 scholarships have been awarded at a cost of more than US$278 million. Recently this amounts to approxamately 1,200 scholarships a year to students from more than 70 countries who study in more than 60 countries. By comparison, Rhodes scholarships, sponsored by Oxford University, are granted to 100 scholars each year.
Grants for University Teachers to Serve in Developing Countries
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THESE GRANTS? To provide volunteer service and to experience other cultures and promote global understanding while strengthening universities in low-income countries other than their own. The subjects taught must have practical use to the host countries. Host countries must have at least one Rotary club, and grant recipients are expected to act as goodwill ambassadors.
HOW MUCH IS THE GRANT AND HOW CAN IT BE USED? Two kinds of grants are available: a US$10,000 grant for 3 to 5 months of teaching service or a US$20,000 grant for 6 to 10 months of service. Grants may be used at the discretion of recipients for living expenses, transportation, research costs and miscellaneous expenses related to service.
WHO IS ELGIBLE? Applicants must hold (or, if retired, have held) a college or university appointment for 3 or more years. Rotarians may be considered for these grants because volunteer service is an essential part of the program.
Group Study Exchange
WHAT IS THE COMPOSITION OF A GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE (GSE) TEAM? A GSE team consists of four non-Rotarian business or professional people and a Rotarian team leader. There are no restrictions on gender, age, or marital status.
HOW LONG IS A GSE STUDY TOUR? Four to six weeks.
WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS OF TEAM MEMBERS?
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Must have been employed in a recognized business or profession, on a full time basis for at least two years at the time of application. |
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Intend to remain in the workforce for a considerable amount of time after the exchange so that the travel experiences will impact the majority of their professional careers. |
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Must be citizens of the country in which they reside and must either be employed or reside in the sending district.
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Rotary Peace Programs
WHAT ACTIVITIES DO THE ROTARY PEACE PROGRAMS SUPPORT? They partially subsidize international conferences and other activities that stimulate world understanding and conflict resolution. Rotarians are encouraged to educate themselves and their communities about issues related to world peace.
Investment Schedule
ARE PART OF A CLUB'S DUES A CONTRIBUTION TO THE FOUNDATION? No contributions are entirely voluntary and no part of RI dues is credited to the Foundation.
WHAT HAPPENS TO ANNUAL PROGRAMS FUND CONTIBUTIONS TO THE FOUNDATION? They are invested for three years pending expenditure on prgrams. Income earned from these invetments pays for all the Foundation's program operations, fund development and administrative expenses. Therefore, every annual giving dollar contributed to the Foundation is spent on its programs approxamately three years later.
WHAT IS THE PERMANENT FUND? The Trustees established The Rotary Foundation Endowment for World Understanding and Peace in 1982. It was renamed the Permanent Fund in 1994. The income generated by the Permanent Fund gifts is aplied annually or as determined by the terms of the gift to support Foundation programs. The principal of the Permanent Fund is never spent, which assures donors that their gifts will work in perpetuity.
HOW MUCH HAS THE FOUNDATION SPENT ON PROGRAMS? More than US$500 million has been spent on the Foundation's program since 1947.
HOW DO THE FOUNDATION'S ADMINISTRATIVE AND FUND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES COMPARE TO THOSE OF OTHER FOUNDATIONS AND NON-PROFIT AGENCIES? They are significantly lower than many non-profit organizations, largely because of the extensive volunteer service of Rotarians through-out the world. Only 3 percent of revenues were spent on general adminstration in 93-94 and 9 percent for fund development.
WHO DECIDES HOW FOUNDATION FUNDS ARE SPENT? The Trustees each year adopt a programs budget, which must be approved by the Board of Directors of RI. In addition, districts have a voice in how the Foundation funds are spent through the allocation of their District Designated Funds. (See "The SHARE System").
Major, Planned, Corporate and Individual Giving
I WANT TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO THE ROTARY FOUNDATION. WHERE DO I MAIL MY CHECK? The Rotary Foundation, PO Box 71169, Chicago, Il 60694-1169, USA. Contributions can be sent to the RI Service Center or RI fiscal agent serving your district.
MAJOR AND PLANNED GIFTS
WHAT IS A MAJOR GIFT? A gift of US$10,000 or more.
WHAT FORM CAN A MAJOR GIFT TAKE? Gifts can be cash and other assets, as well as planned gifts.
WHAT IS THE TERM MEANT BY PLANNED GIVING" A planned gift is, by definition, one legally provided for during the donor's lifetime, but whose benefits do not accrue to the Rotary Foundation until sometime in the future-usually at the death of the donor and/or income beneficiary. Unless otherwise indicated, planned gifts are placed in the Permanent Fund. See "Permanent Fund" under "FINANCES".
WHAT ARE THE MAIN TYPES OF PLANNED GIFTS? Outright testamentary gifts or bequests, and life income gifts. A bequest is the best-known form of planned gifts; cash, securities,or property of any description may be given to the Rotary Foundation through an individual's will.
CORPORATE GIVING
HOW CAN CORPORATE MATCHED GIFTS HELP INCREASE THE VALUE OF A CLUB'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE ROTARY FOUNDATION? Many companies throughout the world match charitable donations by employees, retired employees, and spouses of employees. To find out if your company has a program which will match gifts to the Rotary Foundation and to obtain the necessary forms, contact your company's personnel office.
Paul Harris Fellow Recognition, Multiple Recognition, Sustaining Membership
WHAT IS PAUL HARRIS FELLOW RECOGNITION? Paul Harris Fellow recognition which is given upon request, was created in memory of the founder of Rotary as a way to show appreciation for contributions to the Foundation's humanitarian and educational programs. A Paul Harris Fellow is an individual who contributes, or in whose name or memory is contributed $1,000. All Paul Harris Fellows receive a pin and a certificate (a medallion may also be requested) which identifies them as advocates of the Foundation's goals of world peace and understanding. NOTE: Corporate matched gifts are elgible for Paul Harris Fellow.
WHAT IS PAUL HARRIS FELLOW MULTIPLE RECOGNITION? Fellows who contribute an additional US$1,000 to US$5,000 will receive, uponrequest, a new lapel pin inset with a blue stone for each additional $1,000 contribution, up to a maximum of five stones.
WHAT IS A SUSTAINING MEMBER A Sustaining Member is an individual who contributes, or in whose name is contributed, a minimum of US$100 with the stated intention of becoming A Paul Harris Fellow by contributing at leastUS$1,000.
WHAT IS BENEFACTOR AND HOW ARE BENEFACTORS RECOGNIZED? A Benefactor is anyone who informs the Foundation in writing that he or she has made a provision in a will or other estate plan benefiting The Rotary Foundation's Permanent Fund, or who directs an outright gift of at least US$1,000 specifically to the Permanent Fund . Each Benefactor receives a distinctive certificate as well as an insignia to be worn in conjunction with the Paul Harris Fellow or other Rotary pin. The principal amounts of Permanent Fund gifts are added to club contribution totals.
DOES THE ROTARY FOUNDATION PROVIDE ANY FORM OF RECOGNITION TO CLUBS? Yes. Each year, The Rotary Foundation presents a recognition banner to the three clubs in each district with the highest annual per capita contributions. ALL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE INCLUDED IN THE PER CAPITA CALCULATION.
How Funds are Spent
WHAT IS THE SHARE SYSTEM? The Share System allows districts a voice in how contributions are spent and to enable districts to participate in the programs which are of the most interest to them.
The system is called SHARE because that name describes what the system does:
- Rotarians SHARE their resources with their fellow Rotarians around the world in a spirit of solidarity;
- The Trustees SHARE some of their decision-making with the districts;
- Rotarians SHARE Rotary with the world through their Foundation.
Under SHARE, all district annual giving is totaled at the end of the contribution year and is divided into two funds. Of each district's annual giving, 60 percent is credited to the DDF(District Designated Fund). The remaing 40 perecnt of the district's annual giving is credited to to the WF(World Fund). The World Fund pays for the programs to which the Foundation is specially committed , such as the annual Group Study Exchange Award for which every district may apply, 3-H Grants, Matching Grants, Rotary Volunteers, Rotary Peace Programs, and any new pilot programs.
Past Rotary Foundation Recipients
WHO ARE FOUNDATION ALUMNI? Alumni are past Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholars, Group Study Exchange team members and leaders and recipients of Grants for Rotary Volunteers and Grants for University Teachers.
HOW CAN ALUMNI REMAIN ACTIVE IN THE FOUNDATION? Many ways:
- Rotary clubs and districts are encouraged to invite alumni to join them in Rotary activities.
- The publication, RE Connections is mailed directly to Foundation alumni that solicits their continuing participation in Rotary.
- Speak at club and district events.
- Assist in choosing and counseling new scholars and GSE team members.
- Excellent candidates for Rotary clubs membership.
- Elgible for Grants for Rotary Volunteers.
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Facts about the Rotary Foundation are taken from the R>I> publication "The Rotary Foundation Fact Book". For further information, contact the office of the Secretariat serving your area or:
Facts about the Rotary Foundation are taken from the R>I> publication "The Rotary Foundation Fact Book". For further information, contact the office of the Secretariat serving your area or:
Foundation Service Officer
The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
One Rotary Center
1560 Sherman Avenue
Evanston, Il 60201, USA
More to follow shortly....Thank you!