The Rotary Foundation

An endowment fund, set up by Rotarians in 1917 with an initial contribution of $26.50, became a not for profit corporation known as The Rotary Foundation in 1928.

Upon the death of our founder, Paul Harris, in 1947, a massive influx of Rotarian donations made in his honour - totalling some US$2 million - launched the Foundation's first programme, graduate fellowships, later to be known as Ambassadorial Scholarships and now Rotary Global Scholars.

Today, contributions to the foundation total more than US$80 million each year and support a wide range of humanitarian grants and educational programs that enable Rotarians to bring hope and promote international understanding throughout the world.

All Amwell Rotary Club members contribute to the Foundation Funds through their membership dues and additional funds are also raised through a monthly raffle amongst Amwell Rotarians.

Through the Rotary Foundation, District or Global grants may be negotiated to allow Rotary Clubs to join forces to complete humanitarian aid projects with the help of additional funding from the Foundation.

Through such grants Amwell Rotary Club has helped to build water wells in India, has part funded the refurbishment of classrooms at a special school for deaf children in Romania, has supplied mosquito nets to villagers in Cambodia and has helped to furnish a community centre in a South African Township.