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About The Rotary Foundation
The mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through
the improvement of health, the support of education and the alleviation of poverty. The Rotary Foundation is a not-for-profit
corporation that is supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its
vision of a better world.
The Foundation was created in 1917 by Rotary International's sixth president, Arch C. Klumph, as an endowment fund for
Rotary "to do good in the world." It has grown from an initial contribution of US$26.50 to more than US$117.9 million
contributed in 2004-05. Its event-filled history is a story of Rotarians learning the value of service to humanity.
The Foundation's Humanitarian Programs fund international Rotary club and district projects to improve the quality of
life, providing health care, clean water, food, education, and other essential needs primarily in the developing world. One
of the major Humanitarian Programs is PolioPlus, which seeks to eradicate the poliovirus worldwide. Through its Educational
Programs, the Foundation provides funding for some 1,200 students to study abroad each year. Grants are also awarded to university
teachers to teach in developing countries and for exchanges of business and professional people. Former participants in the
Foundation's programs have the opportunity to continue their affiliation with Rotary as Foundation Alumni.
For more information on current Foundation program awards and financial status see the Rotary Foundation Fact Card and
the Rotary Foundation Annual Report, both of which are available for download.
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