For many people in the club the phrase ‘Rotary Foundation’ means the chance to win £50 in a monthly draw and a couple of bigger prizes at Christmas.
But the Rotary Foundation is so much more – it is Rotary’s very own charity that has been in operation for more than 100 years. And the prize draw is simply our club’s unique way of funding our annual contribution to it.
But the Rotary Foundation is so much more – it is Rotary’s very own charity that has been in operation for more than 100 years. And the prize draw is simply our club’s unique way of funding our annual contribution to it.
Since it was started in 1917, the Rotary Foundation has spent more than $4 billion on life-changing and sustainable projects around the world. Its mission is ‘to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty’. In the 2018-19 financial year alone it has made grants of $86m including:
Since 1988 Rotary has raised $2.1 billion for the polio campaign. The Foundation also supports a wide range of youth projects, peace fellowships, youth leadership awards and youth exchanges. As well as international projects the Foundation supports clubs in their own projects through district grants, with match funding of £1,500 available. Eligibility is subject to Foundation contributions and in the current Rotary year our club has received £1,500 for the Rotary in Maidenhead Covid-19 charity. Previous grants have helped fund our youth camp and Kids Out projects. So, how is the Rotary Foundation funded? The club pays an annual contribution to Rotary International of $100 per member. This year’s precept at our current membership and exchange rate is approximately £3,560. | “This is part-funded by our Foundation Draw tickets with the balance coming from the club’s Charity Account and additional voluntary contributions made by some Sustaining Members,” explains Eddie Clarke, who oversees the draw. “As the Foundation is our own charity, members decided many years ago to run the monthly draw to raise the money rather than take our precept from the Charity Account.” Tickets cost £30 each for the year, which starts every January. A draw is made every month for £50 and in December there are additional prizes of £100 and £200. But while the draw originally covered the whole precept, currently net proceeds after prizes stand at £2,550, meaning a £1,010 contribution is needed from the clubs’ Charity Account. To reduce the shortfall the club is encouraging new members to take part in the draw and also asking members to buy more tickets. |
To buy your tickets please contact Rotarian Eddie Clarke.