Rotary District 5300,
a group of 65 clubs and approximately 2,400 members, will come together to help make a difference to those who need our help the most.
The Rotary Foundation funds sustainable service projects that can make lives better in our communities and around the world.
The Rotary Foundation history and purpose
“We should not live for ourselves alone, but for the join in doing good for others.” Arch Klumph, founder of The Rotary Foundation
In 1917 at the Rotary Conference in Atlanta then President Arch Klumph proposed an endowment to provide funds for “the purpose of doing good in the world”. In 1928 it was renamed The Rotary Foundation and became a distinct entity within Rotary International. In 1947 when Rotary founder Paul Harris died the Paul Harris Memorial Fund was created to build the Foundation. Numerous evolutions have occurred but the Fund always served the original purpose of doing good in the world.
The first donation was $26.50 and the Foundation as of 2016 totals more than $1 billion. In 2006 the number of Paul Harris Fellows reached 1 million. The Rotary Foundation uses the donations to fund numerous projects and programs. The programs the Foundation supports range from Ambassadorial Scholarships, Matching Grants, PolioPlus and Rotary Peace Fellowships. In 1957 the Paul Harris Fellow recognition began. This was established to express appreciation for eligible contributions of $1,000. The recipient of the certificate does not need to be a Rotarian. Some of our members have given awards to their spouses and children. Donations can be made monthly, annually or as a benefactor. These donations also fund numerous international projects which can be organized by local clubs such as ours. The Rotary Club of Pasadena has an International Committee that has completed numerous projects.
Ironically in 2017 the 100 year anniversary of the Foundation will occur at the Rotary International Convention in Atlanta where it all began. George Cassat, a longtime member of our club, wore his green money jacket as he handed out Paul Harris Fellowship pins to our club for years. Hopefully we can keep the tradition of the green money jacket alive in our club for decades to come.
If you have questions about the Rotary Foundation be sure to reach out to the committee chair.
