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 programs. It is supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world.
The Foundation, created in 1917, has grown from an initial contribution of $26.50 to more than $117.9 million contributed in 2004-05 through Paul Harris Fellowship contributions of $1,000 or Paul Harris Sustaining installments toward these fellowships.
The Foundation's Humanitarian Programs 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 Programs is PolioPlus, which seeks to eradicate the poliovirus worldwide. Through its Educational Programs, 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 programs have the opportunity to continue their affiliation with Rotary as Foundation Alumni.
The Rotary Club of Long Beach, California in combination with the a local Rotary Club in Quito, Ecuador was able to donate 503 water filtration systems to the government of Napo, Ecuador for placement in more than 50 schools. The project took over a year to complete but the persistence of Long Beach member Eileen Factor really paid off in the end. [ more ]
Long Beach Rotary's involvement includes PROJECT AMIGO – An International Matching Grant Project with the Rotary Club of Colima, Mexico. Long Beach Rotary has partnered with Project Amigo for 3 Matching Grants and now working on a 4th grant, which have provided: 26 laptops computers, memory sticks and optical wireless mice. Members of Long Beach Rotary travel to the project area yearly to see the results of this project and also to deliver mini-libraries to local elementary and high schools. This year we are supporting a Matching Grant to supply water purification systems, hearing aids and more books.