Welcome
What is a PHF (Paul Harris Fellow)
and The Rotary Foundation?
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The Rotary Foundation is the charitable arm of Rotary International (headquarters in Evanston Illinois shown here). Funded by individual Rotarians and Rotary Clubs worldwide (including Portland Rotary), it supports Rotary's worldwide mission, as well as international projects sponsored by districts and individual clubs. The Foundation is the engine behind most of Rotary's largest initiatives. Here is information on the Foundation and how you can become part of its work.
HISTORY
At the 1917 convention, outgoing RI President Arch C. Klumph proposed to set up an endowment “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” In 1928, it was renamed The Rotary Foundation, and it became a distinct entity within Rotary International. In 1929, the Foundation made its first gift of $500 to the International Society for Crippled Children. The organization, created by Rotarian Edgar F. “Daddy” Allen, later grew into Easter Seals.
When Rotary founder Paul Harris died in 1947, contributions began pouring in to Rotary International, and the Paul Harris Memorial Fund was created to build the Foundation.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
For more than 100 years, our guiding principles have been the foundation upon which our values and tradition stand. The Four-Way Test, Object of Rotary, and the Avenues of Service express our commitment to service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership.
AREAS OF FOCUS
The Rotary Foundation directs its efforts in six areas to enhance the local and global impact. The most successful and sustainable projects and activities tend to fall within the following areas:
• Promoting peace
• Fighting disease
• Providing clean water
• Saving mothers and children
• Supporting education
• Growing local economies
The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into projects that change lives both close to
home and around the world. As the charitable arm of Rotary, it taps into a global
network of Rotarians who invest their time, money, and expertise into our priorities,
such as eradicating polio and promoting peace. Foundation grants empower Rotarians
to approach challenges such as poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition with sustainable
solutions that leave a lasting impact.
Strong financial oversight, a stellar charity rating, and a unique funding model mean that
the Foundation makes the very most of your contribution. Give and become a part of
Rotary’s life-changing work!
HOW YOU CAN DONATE
• Recurring Giving (Rotary Direct) - You choose how much and how often
• Check, Draft, or Wire payments
• Securities
• Planned Giving- structure your charitable gift to provide tax and other financialbenefits,
• Named Gift- you can designate a specific name for your contribution.
• Donor-Advised Funds - You make contributions and recommend grants to the Foundation and other preferred charities
• Personal Property - gifts of tangible property, such as jewelry or artwork, with the approval of the Gift Acceptance Committee.
• Real Estate- gifts of real estate with a minimum appraised value of $25,000 (undeveloped property) and $100,000.
• Employee Matching Gift- Double the impact of your gift by asking your employer to match your contribution to The Rotary Foundation.
• Rotary Credit Card - Support the Rotary Foundation with the Rotary International credit card.
• Airline Miles
WHERE TO DONATE
The Annual Fund
Annual Fund contributions help support our humanitarian activities, from local service projects to global initiatives. Contributions to the Annual Fund will continue to be divided, with 50 percent allotted to District Designated Funds (DDF) and 50 percent to the World Fund. DDF allocations will not be changed in any way.
Portland Rotary or our district can apply for grants from the Foundation to invest in projects and provide scholarships, all made possible through the ongoing financial support of Every Rotarian, Every Year.
PolioPlus Fund
Rotarians have helped immunize more than 2 billion children against polio in 122 countries. For as little as $0.60, a child can be protected against this crippling disease for life. Your gift to the PolioPlus Fund is eligible for Paul Harris Society recognition. You can maximize support for polio eradication within your club and your community by organizing a fundraiser. Get some ideas.
Term Gifts
Rotarians and friends can choose to make a gift that is expended, generally the following year, on a global grant or for the Rotary Peace Centers.
Term gift naming opportunities include:
The Endowment Fund
Rotary’s Endowment Fund ensures a strong future for the Foundation. Spendable
earnings from the fund supplement the Annual Fund and support Rotary’s highest
priorities in perpetuity. The Foundation has set a goal of $1 billion for the Endowment
Fund by 2017, ensuring its ability to meet current and future needs.
Share
You can designate the spendable earnings from your endowed gift to SHARE, which
makes a portion available to support, club, and district projects.
World Fund
The World Fund provides the necessary funding for our highest priority activities around
the globe. Fifty percent of SHARE-designated contributions are applied to the World
Fund. You can also designate the spendable earnings from your endowed gift entirely to
the World Fund, to be used for critical activities.
ROTARIAN GIVING
$1000 / year Paul Harris Fellow – A Rotarian donates to either the Annual Fund or PolioPlus
$100 / year – Sustaining member - A Rotarian donates each year to either the Annual Fund or PolioPlus
EREY – Every Rotarian Every Year – Each Rotarian agrees to contribute any amount, but agrees to do it each year.
$200 / year – Circle of Five - A group of five Rotarians each agree to donate $200/year. By lottery, one of the five receives a Paul Harris Fellow each year. At the end of five years, all have received a Paul Harris Fellow. This is a Northeast tradition. We adopted it from another club in our district.
RECOGNITION
Paul Harris Fellow Fund or PolioPlus
Multiple Paul Harris Fellows – Designated by multiple jewels in the pin
Major Donor
Level 1 - $10,000
Level 2 - $25,000
Level 3 - $50,000
Level 4 - $100,000
Arch Klumph Society
Trustees Circle - $250,000
Chair’s Circle - $500,000
Foundation Circle - $1,000,000
Benefactor - A Benefactor is an individual who informs The Rotary Foundation in writing
that he or she has provided for the Foundation in his or her estate plan, or who makes
an outright gift of $1,000 or more to the Endowment Fund.
Bequest Society
made commitments in their estate plans totaling $10,000 or more.
Level 1 - $10,000
Level 2 - $25,000
Level 3 - $50,000
Level 4 - $100,000
Level 5 - $250,000
Level 6 - $500,000
Level 7 - $1,000,000