The Rotary Foundation is the main “drive gear” of the work of Rotary. What started as a $26.50 endowment in 1917 by outgoing Rotary President, and one of the founding members of Rotary, Arch Klumph “for the purpose of doing good in the world” has spent more than $3 billion in life changing, sustainable projects world-wide. The Rotary Foundation is governed by Rotarians for Rotarians, therefore the administrative costs are very low. For every dollar contributed to the Foundation, over 90 cents goes directly to supporting the service projects globally. Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities, ranks the Rotary Foundation as a 4-star charity — its highest rating.

Rotary Clubs can apply for Global Grants and District Grants from the Foundation to fund projects that fit into six causes the Foundation supports which are Promoting Peace, Providing Clean Water, Saving Mothers and Children, Supporting Education, Growing Local Economies and Fighting Disease. A major focus of The Rotary Foundation is its Polio Plus program, which has been instrumental in the effort to eradicate Polio.

Since 1988 polio cases worldwide have been reduced by

99.9 percent with only 3 countries remaining endemic. It costs only 60 cents to immunize a child against Polio. For every $1 Rotary commits to Polio,

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has committed $2.

Over the years the

Bath Rotary has contributed over $140,000 to the Rotary Foundation. Every week Bath Rotarians donate “happy dollars” at the meetings which go towards the club’s commitment to the Rotary Foundation. Another avenue Bath Rotarians contribute to the Foundation is through the “Paul Harris Clubs.” A Paul Harris Club member has committed to donate $50 per quarter to the Foundation. Drawings are held 4 times per year with the winner being awarded a Paul Harris Fellow, which they can keep for themselves or give to someone they feel deserving of the recognition. A Paul Harris Fellow is someone who has donated or who has had a donation of $1000 made to the Foundation in their honor. The Bath Rotary is proud to have awarded a total of 103 Paul Harris Fellows, 27 of which are current members. And who is Paul Harris? Paul Harris was the Chicago attorney who formed the very first Rotary Club in Chicago, IL on February 23, 1905, so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas, form meaningful, lifelong friendships, and give back to their communities. Rotary’s name came from the group’s early practice of rotating meetings among the offices of its members.

Today, the Bath Rotary meets every Tuesday at noon at J.R. Maxwell & Co., 122 Front Street in Bath and always welcomes visitors and guests to join us. More can be learned about the Rotary Foundation and the work of Rotary International at www.rotary.org. Information about the Bath Rotary Club can be found on our website at www.bathrotary.org.