Welcome
Our mission
The Rotary Foundation helps Rotary members to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty. The Rotary Foundation is the charitable arm of Rotary International, a global organization of service clubs which provides grants to Rotarians and their clubs for their charitable projects, helping them implement sustainable solutions that have a lasting impact.
PAUL HARRIS, FOUNDER “ Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves.”
Rotary is made up of three parts: our clubs, Rotary International, and The Rotary Foundation. Together, we work to make lasting change in our communities and around the world.
Rotary has been creating connections and making an impact for more than a century.
Our 1.4 million members join community leaders, friends, and partners in a global network that is addressing challenges around the world. It started with the vision of one man—Paul Harris. The Chicago attorney formed the Rotary Club of Chicago in 1905 to exchange ideas and form meaningful friendships. He saw Rotary as a force for ethical leadership, civic service, and peace—ideals he would promote throughout his life.
Rotary’s official mottoes:
Service Above Self and One Profits Most Who Serves Best
Service Above Self and One Profits Most Who Serves Best
(7) AREAS OF FOCUS: What we do
Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. Our more than 46,000 clubs work together to: Rotary is dedicated to seven areas of focus to build international relationships, improve lives, and create a better world to support our peace efforts and end polio forever.
Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. Our more than 46,000 clubs work together to: Rotary is dedicated to seven areas of focus to build international relationships, improve lives, and create a better world to support our peace efforts and end polio forever.
Basic Education & Literacy
More than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy.
More than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy.
Maternal & Child Health
Nearly 6 million children under the age of five die each year because of malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. We expand access to quality care, so mothers and their children can live and grow stronger.
Peace & Conflict Prevention/Resolution
Rotary encourages conversations to foster understanding within and across cultures. We train adults and young leaders to prevent and mediate conflict and help refugees who have fled dangerous areas.
Disease Prevention & Treatment
We educate and equip communities to stop the spread of life-threatening diseases like polio, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. We improve and expand access to low-cost and free health care in developing areas. GPEI: Global Polio Eradication Initiative
Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
We support local solutions to bring clean water, sanitation, and hygiene to more people every day. We don’t just build wells and walk away. We share our expertise with community leaders and educators to make sure our projects succeed long-term.
Community & Economic Development
We carry out service projects that enhance economic and community development and create opportunities for decent and productive work for young and old. We also strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities.
Support the Environment
Rotary’s newest area of focus is the environment which will enable Rotarians and Rotary Clubs to bring about positive change in the world and increase our impact.
