Every month of the Rotary year there is a different theme highlighting an element of Rotary. November is The Rotary Foundation month or “TRF Month.”

In 1917 at the Rotary International convention in Atlanta, RI President Arch Klumph suggested that Rotary “…should accept endowments for the purpose of doing good in the world.” The first donation to the Rotary Endowment Fund (it’s original title) was a total of $26.50 from the Rotary Club of Kansas City, Missouri. The 2017 RI Convention in Atlanta will mark the Centennial Anniversary (100 Years) of The Rotary Foundation.

From it’s humble beginnings the Rotary Foundation now has a Permanent Fund, a General Fund, and specific dedicated funds such as Polio Plus that ensure that RI can “do good in the world” not only today, but many years into the future.

The Rotary Foundation has received the highest possible score from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities in the U.S. In the most recent ratings, released on September 1, 2016, The Rotary Foundation earned the maximum 100 points for both financial health and accountability and transparency.

During the Month of November I will be sharing thoughts on the past, present, and future of TRF and how as members you can make a difference in the world through your donations.

 

Corey Lopardi

Foundation Chair

Hawks Prairie Rotary