The Chairman of the Foundation Committee is Alan Howe
The Rotary Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace
through international humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programmes. It is supported solely by voluntary contributions from
Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world.
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 to more than US$117.9 million contributed in 2004-05. Its event-filled history is a
story of Rotarians learning the value of service to humanity.
The Foundation's Humanitarian Programmes fund international Rotary Club and district projects to improve the quality of life, providing health
care, clean water, food, education, and other essential needs primarily in the developing world. One of the major Humanitarian Programmes is
PolioPlus, which seeks to eradicate the polio virus worldwide, Rotary has been the single largest contributor to funding this work (that is bigger
than even government contributions from the USA and UK). Through its
Educational Programmes, the Foundation provides funding for some 1,200 students to study abroad each year. Grants are also awarded to
university teachers to teach in developing countries and for exchanges of business and professional people. Former participants in the
Foundation's programmes have the opportunity to continue their affiliation with Rotary as Foundation Alumni.
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