What does my contributing support go towards?

Annual Programs Fund - For Support Today
The Annual Programs Fund is the primary source of unrestricted support for the programs of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. The mission of the Annual Programs Fund mirrors that of The Rotary Foundation: to support the efforts of Rotary International in the achievement of world understanding and peace through local, national, and international humanitarian, educational, and cultural programs.

The Annual Programs Fund supports Foundation programs in 163 countries on seven continents. From digging clean water wells for villages in Africa to teaching basic literacy skills to children in Latin America, during any given moment in a day, thousands of Rotarians volunteer their time and expertise to ensure that all contributions given to the Annual Programs Fund are spent wisely on quality Rotary projects.

Because districts share decision-making about program funding with the Trustees, every Rotarian has a voice in planning for the future. Each year, members of the District Rotary Foundation Committee (DRFC), in consultation with Rotarians in their district, decide how the district will use its SHARE DDF.

What is SHARE?
Through SHARE, Rotary districts share in the decision-making process by choosing which Rotary Foundation programs they wish to support and participate in. The Rotary Foundation's programs are funded through voluntary contributions made by Rotarians and others who believe in the Foundation's mission. Their support demonstrates their commitment to enhance the quality of life for all people, to create greater understanding among nations, and to advance the quest for peace in the world.

The SHARE system is the mechanism by which Rotary Foundation program awards are distributed worldwide. Through the SHARE system, contributions to The Rotary Foundation are transformed into Ambassadorial Scholarships, Matching Grants for International Humanitarian Projects, Group Study Exchanges, and more.
At the end of every contribution year, 50% of each Rotary district's contributions to the Annual Programs Fund are credited to their District Designated Fund (DDF); the other 50% is credited to the World Fund (WF).

The World Fund is used by the Foundation to pay for the worldwide programs available to all Rotary districts, regardless of specific contributions. DDF is used by the district to fund the Foundation programs in which it chooses to participate, such as Ambassadorial Scholarships, credit toward the sponsor portion of a Matching Grant, or an extra Group Study Exchange.

Every Rotarian, Every Year
The Every Rotarian, Every Year effort encourages Rotarians worldwide to participate fully in their Rotary Foundation. Endorsed by the Foundation's Trustees and the Rotary International Board of Directors, the purpose of the Every Rotarian, Every Year initiative is twofold:
· Encourage every Rotarian to participate in a Foundation humanitarian or educational project that truly makes a difference in the world, every year.
· Encourage every Rotarian to contribute to the Foundation's Annual Programs Fund, every year.

The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, throughout its history, has prided itself on being responsive to the challenges that confront humanity. Rotarians, through their spirit of volunteerism and generous philanthropy, remain at the heart of the Foundation's mission to eradicate polio and further its humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs worldwide. As global leaders for doing good in the world, Rotarians work together to change lives in meaningful ways; they bridge the divide among people to foster world understanding and peace. Rotary International hopes that every Rotarian will take this opportunity to participate in their Rotary Foundation and help to grow and sustain the Foundation's many wonderful programs.

The generous support from Every Rotarian, Every Year to the Annual Programs Fund rebuilds impoverished communities and nations by resolving conflict, championing human rights, eradicating disease, feeding the hungry, and educating children and adults. Contributions to the Annual Programs Fund ensure a brighter future for all. Imagine how much more good we could do with the participation of Every Rotarian, Every Year.

Every Rotarian Every Year Club: Rotary clubs must achieve a US$100 APF per capita and every active dues-paying member of the club personally contributes US$100 or more to the Annual Programs Fund (APF-SHARE) during the Rotary year. This annual banner recognition is awarded following the conclusion of the Rotary year, and is based on active membership as of 30 June.

The Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member Program
A Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member is a person who contributes US$100 or more per year to the Annual Programs Fund. Rotarians recognize that without sustained support of the Annual Programs Fund, the programs of The Rotary Foundation cannot happen. With contributions of US$100 from every member every year, Rotary could nearly double its efforts to help needy people the world over, supporting the continued growth of programs. In April 2001, the Council on Legislation unanimously passed a resolution approving the goal of US$100 per capita by the year 2005.

When you make a contribution to Rotary, you can be assured that your gift will be used to its fullest by Rotarians throughout the world. Beginning in 2004-05, Rotarians who give US$100 or more to the Annual Programs Fund will automatically become Rotary Foundation Sustaining Members (RFSM), and are eligible to wear the RFSM sticker (provided by the club president), on their Rotary name badge. Each and every Sustaining Member gift to The Rotary Foundation is a gift of hope to those less fortunate. Every gift truly makes a difference in someone's life.

Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member Club
Beginning in the 2005-06 Rotary Year, this banner is awarded to clubs that achieve a minimum $100 per capita and 100% participation with every active member contributing some amount to the Annual Programs Fund (APF-SHARE) during the Rotary year. This annual banner recognition is awarded following the conclusion of the Rotary year.

The Permanent Fund To Secure Tomorrow
The Permanent Fund ensures The Rotary Foundation's ability to meet the urgent needs of the future through an endowment. An endowed contribution is a gift that the Foundation holds in perpetuity. The gift is invested, and only a portion of its investment return is used for purposes specified by the donor. To guard against inflation, the remaining investment return is added to the principal. The goal is to ensure that the principal maintains its real value over time. Thus, gifts to the Permanent Fund will grow and continue to support The Rotary Foundation for years to come. Learn how to make a gift or commitment to the Permanent Fund.

Recognition of Clubs
100 Percent Paul Harris Fellow Club Recognition
Rotary clubs in which 100 percent of all dues-paying members are Paul Harris Fellows are eligible to receive special recognition from The Rotary Foundation. Qualifying Rotary clubs will receive a special club recognition banner, and the club name will be engraved on a plaque in The Rotary Foundation Hall of Honor at Rotary International World Headquarters.
To obtain this Rotary club recognition:
1. A club representative must determine that all current, dues-paying members of the Rotary club are Paul Harris Fellows and contact the district governor.
2. The district governor must confirm this & send a letter to The Rotary Foundation Development Services Coordinator. Honorary Rotarians and former club members do not need to be Paul Harris Fellows.

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