1 minute read
Foundation Month
Each year, Rotary International highlights November as Rotary Foundation Month to emphasize the importance of and need for Rotarian support of The Rotary Foundation.
Contributions from Rotarians around the world go to the Foundation's Annual Programs Fund, which provides grants and awards through Foundation programs; and the Permanent Fund, an endowment from which only the earnings are spent in support of Foundation programs, ensuring the long-term viability of the Foundation.
Advertisement
Annual Fund – Your gift to the Annual Fund helps Rotary clubs take action today to create positive change in communities at home and around the world. Your contributions help us strengthen peace efforts, provide clean water and sanitation, support education, grow local economies, save mothers and children, protect the environment and fight disease.
The Every Rotarian Every Year initiative asks every Rotarian to support The Rotary Foundation every year. In addition to contributing to the Annual Fund on a regular basis, members are encouraged to get involved in a Foundation project or program.
Permanent Fund - Rotarians are invited to give a gift that will go beyond your lifetime - a donation to The Rotary Foundation's endowment, the Permanent Fund. This fund enables individuals to combine their gifts into a significant force to address the world's greatest needs for generations to come. In a Rotary year, about $8 million from the Permanent Fund is made available to support Foundation programs. The Permanent Fund is an endowment, and the funds are managed very differently from the Annual Programs Fund.
The principal of a gift to the Permanent Fund is NEVER spent but is invested in perpetuity.
Each year, the earnings are applied to fund educational and humanitarian programs of The Rotary Foundation and as District Designated Funds, as the Donor so designates at the time of making a bequest.
Present earnings do not predict future returns and markets fluctuate, but the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation keep very tight controls on the types of investments made and manage the fund conservatively.
