What is The Rotary Foundation and why do we as Rotarians support our foundation, and what do we get in return?  For many years, no one took the time to explain the facts to me as a young Rotarian.  I went about my Rotary life, with a somewhat myopic view of  Rotary  and focused my attention on the projects that had local impact, those projects that I could see the outcome and feel the gratification from observing the gratitude of those whom we helped.
 
I joined Rotary in 1983 at the back end of the now virtually forgotten "Laundry Shower Unit" project where Rotary, through a Matching Grant with counterpart funds from CIDA, now defunct, built a number of these units all over the island providing the population with an alternative to using the rivers for washing cloths and self.  The worm that was infected with the schistosomiasis lives in the rivers and infected hundreds if not thousands of Saint Lucians at the time.  The sponsoring club was a the Rotary Club of Guelph, Ontario and the host Rotary club was the Rotary Club of Saint Lucia.  Not being involved in the project, I was aware of it but did not make it my own. 
 
Later in my Rotary life I would come to marvel at the power of the Rotary Foundation, and to recognize what we as Rotarians get from our contributions to support the Foundation.  Rotary Gros Islet has been involved in a number of projects that received Grant funding, but perhaps the largest was the water tank project at Plateau, Babonneau with a project cost of approximately US$200,000.  We brought water to approximately 6,000 people who had previously not had potable water near to their homes.  The impact on those persons in terms of improved Maternal and Child Health, Disease Prevention and Treatment, and Economic and Community Development was real and we were a part of it.  The educational programme that formed part of the project reached communities far away from the actual site, creating a lasting positive impact on the entire community regarding water conservation. Our contribution was less than US$2,000.
 
Read about the Rotary Foundation, it is the heart and soul of Rotary.  Donate what you can, your contribution goes further than you can imagine, nothing is too small!
 

During the past 100 years, the Foundation has spent $3 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects.

With your help, we can make lives better in your community and around the world.

Our mission

The mission of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International 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.

Why should I donate to The Rotary Foundation?

Your donation makes a difference to those who need our help most. More than 90 percent of donations go directly to supporting our service projects around the world.

How does The Rotary Foundation use donations?

Our 35,000 clubs carry out sustainable service projects that support our six causes. With donations like yours, we’ve wiped out 99.9 percent of all polio cases. Your donation also trains future peacemakers, supports clean water, and strengthens local economies.

What impact can one donation have?

It can save a life. A child can be protected from polio with as little as 60 cents. Our partners make your donation go even further. For every $1 Rotary commits to polio eradication, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed $2.