The Rotary Foundation

THE ROTARY FOUNDATION

The foundation transforms donations and gifts into projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. As the charitable arm of Rotary, Foundation is able to tap into a global network of Rotarians who invest their time, money and expertise into priorities such as eradicating polio from the world and promoting peace. Foundation grants empower Rotarians to tackle challenges such as poverty, illiteracy and malnutrition with sustainable solutions that leave a lasting impact..

Learn more about The Rotary Foundation's six areas of focus

PROMOTING PEACE

Today, 60 million people are displaced by armed conflict or persecution. Through our partnerships with several leading universities, Rotary Peace Fellows develop the skills to strengthen peace efforts, train local leaders to prevent and mediate conflict, and support long-term peace building in areas affected by conflict. We provide up to 100 peace fellowships per year at Rotary Peace Centers.

Learn how Rotary projects address the structural causes of conflict

FIGHTING DISEASE

More than 100 million people are pushed into poverty each year because of medical costs. We aim to improve and expand access to low-cost and free health care in underdeveloped areas. Our members educate and mobilize communities to help prevent the spread of major diseases such as polio, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. Many of our projects ensure that medical training facilities are located where the workforce lives.

See how Rotary projects provide low-cost health care

PROVIDING CLEAN WATER

More than 2.5 billion people lack access to adequate sanitation facilities. At least 3,000 children die each day from diarrheal diseases caused by unsafe water. Our projects give communities the ability to develop and maintain sustainable water and sanitation systems and support studies related to water and sanitation.

See how Rotary is building sustainable clean water and sanitation facilities

SAVING MOTHERS AND CHILDREN

At least 7 million children under the age of five die each year due to malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. To help reduce this rate, we provide immunizations and antibiotics to babies, improve access to essential medical services, and support trained health care providers for mothers and their children. Our projects ensure sustainability by empowering the local community to take ownership of health care training programs.

Watch how Rotary helps bring health care to mothers and newborns in rural Haiti

SUPPORTING EDUCATION

Sixty-seven million children worldwide have no access to education and more than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy.

Watch how a Rotary grant helps bring tablet technology to students in Fiji

GROWING LOCAL ECONOMIES

Nearly 1.4 billion employed people live on less than $1.25 a day. We carry out service projects that enhance economic and community development and develop opportunities for decent and productive work for young and old. We also help strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities.

See how Rotary helps workers achieve better wages and working conditions