Through The Rotary Foundation, each Rotarian has the power to change lives. Its mission 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 financed solely by voluntary contributions from Clubs, individual Rotarians and friends of Rotary in order to “Do Good in the World”.
The Rotary Foundation is now part of the Club Leadership Plan, incorporating International Service, whereby each Club should appoint a committee in order to develop and implement plans to support The Rotary Foundation through both financial contributions and program participation within its Club.

Annual Programs Fund

Contributions to The Rotary Foundation assist in funding the humanitarian and educational projects, both locally and globally, that are identified by Rotarians around the world.

When annual contributions by individuals are made through the Every Rotarian Every Year (incorporating the Centurion Club), 50% of the contribution becomes available to our District in three years time. This amount is known as District Designated Funds (DDF), and can be used in humanitarian and educational programs including projects in our local communities. The other 50% of the contributions benefits the World Fund in support of Rotary’s commitment to international service, even though all contributions remain in Australia and are invested until expensed. This three year SHARE investment cycle ensures that 100 per cent of contributions are spent on Rotary programs and grants.

Contributions are tax-deductible providing they are donated through The Australian Rotary Foundation Trust. Contributions can be made by cheque; direct debit or credit card authorisation, either in whole or by instalments. A form can be found on this web-site or through your Club Secretary, but we urge you to return it to the Trust Chairperson, as listed on the form for our records.

Permanent Fund

Another method to support The Rotary Foundation is through its endowment facility “The Permanent Fund”. This fund is built up by Rotarians and friends of Rotary through making dedicated contributions of US$1000 or more in their will. These benefactors are able to wear the blue and gold “wings” under their Rotary lapel pin. Unlike the Annual Programs Fund donations will never be spent as funds are invested in perpetuity so that it goes on providing income to “OUR” Foundation long after the donor has gone. This means income from the fund can meet Foundation expenses as well as provide extra funding towards programs and projects for our District.
Bequests in excess of US$10,000 entitle donors to be Members of the Bequest Society.
To make a commitment, Rotarians can make a provision to The Rotary Foundation Permanent Fund in a new will or prepare a codicil to an existing will. An example of a codicil and its directions are also available on the web-site.
Members should also complete a Benefactor Gift Commitment form and forward it to Parramatta for recognition. There are over 170 Benefactors in our District.

PolioPlus

The Rotary Foundation’s No.1 priority is the eradication of polio. Since the mid-eighties, Rotary has spent almost US$1 billion in this pursuit. More than 2 billion children around the world have been immunized by Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication initiative, so that now there are less than 1500 new cases each year.
This means the project is 99.9% complete although there are still four endemic countries, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. It is anticipated that outbreaks will no longer be prevalent from 2012.

Matching Grants

These assist in funding humanitarian service projects in cooperation with Rotarians in other countries, particularly in undeveloped areas. The World Fund provides a  1 : 1 match of DDF and a 0.5 : 1 match for Club funding, thus increasing the size of the Grant for greater impact.
Grants must address a humanitarian condition that benefits a community in need and these projects must feature active personal participation of Rotarians in both the host and international countries. Matching Grants can be for US$5000 to US$200,000 and must follow guidelines in order to be submitted for approval by the Trustees.

District Simplified Grants

These grants support the service activities or humanitarian endeavours within the communities of our District. There is only a limited amount available from the District’s DDF for these Grants however Clubs can apply if they identify a community need.
Grants can be awarded if Clubs are involved in the project funding and a committee of at least three Rotarians oversee the expenditure of total funds. In addition, the project should receive publicity in the local media and through appropriate signage.

EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS

Rotary World Peace Fellowships

1. Master’s Degree

There are six Rotary Centres of International Studies at seven world universities offering a program intended for individuals who have chosen a career related to international relations, peace and conflict resolution. There are up to 10 places in each university per year. The course is for 15-24 months and candidates must have a strong commitment to international understanding and peace, demonstrated through professional and academic achievements or community service activities. An appropriate undergraduate degree is essential.
The World Fund provides finance for transportation, tuition fees, lodging and other limited expenses.

2. Professional Development Certificate

Candidates are offered a 3 month course commencing in either January or June at the Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. Up to 25 fellows are selected for each session. The certificate is designed for professionals in fields related to conflict resolution and peace building, to broaden their experience as well as strengthen their negotiation abilities and leadership skills. An appropriate undergraduate degree is required.
Applications for both courses are made through clubs and must be submitted to the District by June 1st.

Further information can be found on the RI web-site.

Ambassadorial Scholarships

The Rotary Foundation is the world’s largest privately funded international scholarship program. The purpose is to permit overseas study whilst serving as an Ambassador of Goodwill, to improve international understanding. The scholarship is worth US$27,000 and is funded entirely by the District’s DDF to cover transportation, fees, lodging and other expenses.
Applicants must have completed two years of university work or have a secondary school education and two years employment in a recognized vocation. They must also demonstrate proficiency in the language of their host country. Applications are made through clubs and must be submitted to the District by September 1st.
The successful scholar will be expected to give presentations about their homeland to Rotary Clubs and other groups, to promote goodwill and understanding between countries.

Group Study Exchange

This popular program provides an exchange of teams of outstanding young non-Rotarian business and professional people between Districts in different countries. The GSE team may have a special focus or vocation or be represented by a variety of vocations.
The World Fund covers the cost of the least expensive round-trip transportation for four members and one Rotarian team leader. As our District normally seeks to have two GSE teams, the second is funded from DDF, costing US$13,000.
Team members must be between the ages of 25 and 40. They must be employed for at least two years in a recognized business or profession and be citizens of our District. Depending on the dates of the exchanges, applications are normally due in August/September in order to travel March/April in the following year.
Applications are made through Clubs in order to reach the District by the published closing dates, which are advised to Club Secretaries. For more information visit the District GSE Page

Alumni

The Rotary Foundation Alumni are the more than 105,000 people who have received program awards from the Foundation since 1947.
Our District maintains, where possible, an up-to-date record of our program recipients as part of the Foundation Alumni. These individuals are available to speak at Rotary functions. Reunion activities are encouraged so that Alumni members maintain their Rotary commitment as they should be a reliable source for future membership.