Rotary Foundation
November 17, 2009: Today, we were addressed by Bernie Riedel, Past DG and current District Chair of Rotary Foundation. Bernie took a few minutes to provide us with an overview, brief history and current update of the Foundation, and ended by showing us our dollars at work in the community. There are 532 districts in the world; our’s begins west of Columbia near Chapin and runs east and includes 78 clubs. Last year our district was number thirteen in the world giving $990,588 to the Foundation, number seven in the world for Polio giving at $266,000, and number four in annual giving at an astounding $723,000. We have been number one, twice in the past six years! Thanks to all of you who have made this possible!
Rotary was started in 1905 in Chicago by a generous man by the name of Paul Harris. Though the club was not a service organization at its inception, the first service project, constructing an outhouse in Chicago, was completed in 1907. In 1917 at a National Conference in Atlanta Arch Klumph, President of Rotary, saw a need in areas of the world where Rotary was not present. It was then that Mr. Klumph stated that we needed an international commitment to do good in the world and started the endowment fund with $26.50 from the Rotary of Kansas City. In 1928 the endowment became a 501c (3), and in 1947 Paul Harris died and the fund received an outpouring of support from all over the world in his memory. For the first time the endowment had enough money to do something with it, and the Scholarship Programs were started. They still exist today, 62 years later. In 1957 the Foundation kicked off and got serious about raising money, and determining a way to recognize donors was necessary. It was then that the Paul Harris Fellow award was formed.
In 1985 there were more visionaries in Rotary and talk of Polio Eradication began. In 2008 our district received $431,000 back from the Foundation, (meaning that in 2006 and 2007 we gave $826,000) and the question became what to do with the money. There were 20 candidates for 6 Ambassadorial scholarships for $25,000 each, totaling $150,000 awarded in scholarships. One of these scholars came out of the Mt. Pleasant Rotary Club and another from the Hilton Head Club. A portion of the remaining money is used for matching gifts, if a club puts up $10,000 the district matches and the world fund matches. This year $305,000 in total projects were funded through matching gifts program. Rotary also fulfills district simplified grants. This year $86,000 was allocated back to the Rotary Clubs for their community. This year our club awarded the Center for Women and Carolina Youth Development with checks for their respective causes. This year we are sending a team to Brazil to continue Rotary’s mission. To further Rotary’s battle against Polio, in 2007 The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation gave 100 million dollars, to be matched by Rotary and in 2009 the Gates Foundation came back and gave another $255 million and asked that we match another $100 million. Rotary has four years to raise $200 million. Our district is tasked with raising $1,000,000. Over $400,000 has been raised so far and we are on task to meet our goal. The Foundation is kept alive by gifts from Rotarians like you, please consider Rotary in your giving, and help promote good for all.
Submitted by Elizabeth Wooten Burwell, Keyway Committee