Rotary Foundation

The Manual of Procedure of Rotary International defines The Rotary Foundation as "A not-for-profit corporation providing worldwide humanitarian grants to needy peoples and worthy projects, and educational awards for international exchanges of scholars and teachers, and business and professional people. Its objective is the achievement of world understanding, and peace through international charitable and educational programs."

The Foundation is incorporated separately from Rotary International for liability and tax reasons, but it is clearly an intergral part of the overall international service activities of the association of Rotary Clubs worldwide. The Foundation is governed by a 13-member Board of Trustees appointed by the President of Rotary International and approved by the RI Board of Directors. Six of the Trustees shall be past presidents of RI. The past president members serve six-year terms and the other members three years. Each region of the Rotary world must be represented by at least one Trustee.

The Trustees manage the affairs of the Foundation including the administration of all funds and property, as well as administration of its programs.

Foundation programs include Ambassidorial Scholarships, Humanitarian Grants and Group Study Exchanges. At the present time Rotary and 3 other partners are in the process of eliminating polio worldwide. Since 1985 Rotary has been a major reason why polio has been erased from 99% of the world communities.