The objective of The Rotary Foundation is the achievement of world understanding and peace through international charitable and educational programs which include:

AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS – The world’s largest privately sponsored international scholarship program has sent more than 25,500 scholars at a cost of more than 260 million dollars.

HEALTH, HUNGER AND HUMANITY GRANTS (3-H) – These grants fund large-scale, one to five year humanitarian projects. A total of 137 projects in 52 countries have been funded at a cost of $32 million.

GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE (GSE) - These annual awards are made to paired Rotary Districts to provide travel and other expenses for a team of four young non-Rotarians from a variety of vocations, acting as Ambassadors of Goodwill. Rotarians in the host district organize a four to six-week itinerary of educational and cultural interest.

ROTARY VOLUNTEERS – This new and expanding program pays the expenses of Rotarians and Foundation Scholarship Alumni who have volunteered their services and expertise in another country. Volunteers may be scheduled by The Rotary Foundation or they may identify their own service sites.

POLIO PLUS – The largest project ever undertaken by a service organization – to immunize the children of the world against the crippling disease of polio. This program was initiated by The Rotary Foundation and culminated with contributions and pledges of more than $240 million. Polio will be eliminated by the year 2005, thanks to the generous contributions of Rotarians throughout the world.

Contributions are made to The Rotary Foundation through the Paul Harris Fellow Recognition program. Clubs are encouraged to designate a Paul Harris Fellow with a contribution of $1000 to The Rotary Foundation. This is the highest honor a club can bestow upon a member or a nonmember. Rotarians are also encouraged to support The Rotary Foundation by personally contributing $1000 and becoming a Paul Harris Fellow. Sustaining memberships are also available by making an initial payment of $100 and paying the balance of $900 over a period of time. All contributions made in the USA are tax deductible. Rotarians and their relatives are not eligible to be recipients of any Foundation award.

Contributions may also be made to THE ROTARY FOUNDATION PERMANENT FUND by will, life insurance or other form of estate plan. Rotarians who make such a commitment are called “Benefactors. ” District 5520 became the leader in the Benefactor Program with more than 300 Benefactors who have made a commitment to the PERMANENT FUND. Only the interest from the Permanent Fund is used each year to carry out the Foundation’s humanitarian programs.