The Association of Fundraising Professionals has recognized
The Rotary Foundation with its annual Award for Outstanding Foundation.
The award honors organizations that show philanthropic commitment
and leadership through financial support, innovation, encouragement
of others, and involvement in public affairs. Some of the boldest
names in American giving — Kellogg, Komen, and MacArthur,
among others —are past honorees.
“We are honored to receive this recognition from the AFP,
which gives us even more reason to celebrate during our Foundation’s
centennial year,” says Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair Kalyan
Banerjee. “The continued strong support of Rotary members
will help us keep our promise of a polio-free world for all children
and enable the Foundation to carry out its mission of advancing
world understanding, goodwill, and peace. We look forward
to another 100 years of Rotary members taking action to make communities
better around the world.”
The announcement came on 15 November, known to industry professionals
since the 1980s as National Philanthropy Day. The award will be
presented in early 2017 at the AFP’s annual conference in
San Francisco.
Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair-elect Paul Netzel is set to accept
the award on Rotary’s behalf, and Eric Schmelling, director
of fund development at Rotary, will speak at the conference. The
event is expected to draw more than 3,400 senior-level fundraising
professionals from 33 countries.
“While almost everyone is familiar with Rotary, not everyone
may realize just how much of an impact Rotary and The Rotary Foundation
have had on countless people and communities across the globe,”
says Jason Lee, AFP president and CEO. “On behalf of the
entire charitable sector and people around the world, all of us
at AFP are honored to be able to recognize The Rotary Foundation
as our 2016 Outstanding Foundation.”
AFP’s committee of judges cited Rotary’s comprehensive
campaign to eradicate polio as a major driver of the selection.
They also mentioned that Rotary applies a methodical, purposeful
approach to support a wide variety of causes, from providing clean
water to educating the next generation of peace professionals.
