The Rotary Foundation

Rotarians are renowned for raising money and supporting local charities, but very few people realise that Rotary has its own charitable organisation which is supported by friends and Rotarians.  Known as The Rotary Foundation, its aims is to support the efforts of Rotary International in achieving world understanding and peace through international humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programmes.

The Foundation was created in 1917 by Rotary International's sixth president, Arch C. Klumph, as an endowment fund for Rotary "to do good in the world." It has grown from an initial contribution of US$26.50 only to more than US$55 million.

As aspect of the Rotary Foundation that has received public support and recognition is the Polio Plus programme. 

Since the PolioPlus program’s inception in 1985 more than two billion children have received oral polio vaccine. To date, 209 countries, territories and areas around the world are polio-free. As of January 2012, India was declared polio free for the first time in history, leaving just Pakistan, Nigeria and Aghanistan with endemic polio.  As of June 2011, Rotary has committed more than US$850 million  to global polio eradication. Rotary has received $355 million in challenge grants from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  Rotary committed to raising $200 million by June 30, 2012 and met that goal by January 2012. This represents another $555 million toward polio eradication. 

Various progammes within Rotary Foundation also exist for humanitarian sustainable  and educational programmes that promote peace and world understanding.