What Is The Rotary Foundation?

From the Rotary International website:

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 Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world.

Click here for more on the history of the Rotary Foundation

Your contribution to the Rotary Foundation is what enables us to provide humanitarian aid and educational projects to people around the world. You may choose to donate to any one or all three of our main funds:

• The Annual Programs Fund, which supports the Foundation's humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs worldwide ...
• The Permanent Fund, which provides an endowment, and ...
• The PolioPlus Fund.

Mason City Noon Rotarians regularly contribute to these funds and receive recognition in the form of Paul Harris Recognition points. The Paul Harris Society brochure explains Paul Harris Recognition points this way:

The Paul Harris Society is a special district recognition program designed for Rotarians who wish to support The Rotary Foundation in a more substantial way each year.

The Paul Harris Society recognizes Rotarians and friends of The Rotary Foundation who annually contribute US$1,000 or more to the Annual Programs Fund, PolioPlus, and PolioPlus Partners, or the Humanitarian Grants Program.

The first Paul Harris Society was established in 1998 in District 5340 (California, USA) by District Governor Wayne C. Cusick. The idea gained momentum and quickly spread to other districts throughout the world. The Trustees of The Rotary Foundation officially approved the Paul Harris Society as a district-administered recognition program effective 1 July 2006.

Click the graphic to go to the Rotary International Foundation web page