About Foundation
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Polio Eradication
Rotary's top priority. Rotary is committed to fighting Polio until every child is safe from this devastating disease. The Foundation's Polo Plus programme provides funding for mass immunisation campaigns as well as support for social mobilisation, surveillance and laboratories to help carry out the final stages of global polio eradication.
Since 1985 Rotary members have contributed more than $900m and countless volunteer hours.
In 2007 the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation challenged Rotary to make the final push for total eradication by matching their $100 million grant to End Polio Now and raise $100 million in three years, they allocated another $250 million in 2009 challenging Rotary to now raise $200 million by June 2012 in the $200 Million Challenge. On January 17 2012 Rotary International announced that the Gates Foundation Challenge had been met 5 months early with $202.6m having been raised and by end June 2012 over $225m had been raised.
As a result of this partnership's efforts:
- more than 2 billion children have been vaccinated,
- polio cases have dropped by 99% since 1988
- an estimated 5 million have been spared disability
- over 250,000 deaths averted and
- the world stands on the threshold of eradicating the disease
We are 'this close' to this wonderful achievement as for the first time ever not only has a previous endemic country been case free for 2 years but also no new cases have been reported anywhere this year - 1-23 January 2013.
Financial Support
Every dollar contributed to the Foundation funds its support of humanitarian and educational programs implemented by clubs and districts and global polio eradication activities. Contributions go into one of three main funds:
- Annual Programs Fund: which provides grants and awards through Foundation programs.
- Permanent Fund: an endowment from which only a portion of the earnings are spent in support of Foundation programs, ensuring the long-term viability of the Foundation.
- PolioPlus Fund: which supports Rotary's goal of a polio-free world. Clubs and districts apply for and receive Foundation grants to carry out many worthy projects worldwide.
The Every Rotarian, Every Year initiative, designed to encourage worldwide annual per capita giving of $100 or more, supports vital Foundation programs.
The Club thanks those members who have signed up to this commitment.
Educational Programmes
These programs promote international understanding by bringing together people from different countries and cultures.
Scholarships
From July 2013 the Foundation will offer scholarship opportunities through Global and District Grants.
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Granted by Foundation to Fund Scholarships of 1-4 years for graduate-evel study which:
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Determined by individual Districts who set:
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Peace and conflict prevention/resolution | ||
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Disease prevention and treatment | ||
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Water and sanitation | ||
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Maternal and child health | ||
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Basic education and literacy | ||
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Economic and community development | ||
Group Study Exchange: is a short-term cultural and vocational exchange Programmeme between districts in different countries for non-Rotarian professionals aged 25-40.
Rotary World Peace Fellowships are awarded to individuals for study in master's degree and professional certificate Programmes in peace and conflict resolution. Rotary has teamed with leading universities around the world to offer these degrees at one of the six Rotary Centres for International Studies.
Foundation Grants
The Rotary Foundation offers several types of grants to serve the wide variety of projects that Rotarians are doing around the world:
Global Grants support large grant-funded activities that have a long term impact and relate to one or more of the 6 areas of focus noted above.
District Grants fund smaller, short-term activities that address needs both in a local community and communities worldwide and support the Foundation's mission. They can cover service projects, scholarships and vocational training.
Club Involvement in Foundation
The Rotary Club of Belfast has participated in Foundation programmes as detailed on this website and has provided generous financial support for Foundation.
This has been recognised at District and International levels. The Club is honoured to have received several awards on behalf of all the members who made them possible. Thanks are due to all who have been involved.
The District Chris Croft Trophy 2008-9 - for making the best effort in Foundation Service.
The District Howard Caskie Foundation Award 2009-10 - for the highest per capita contribution to The Rotary Foundation - the Belfast Club having contributed the equivalent of £283 per member.
A Rotary Foundation Certificate of Appreciation 2009-10 for the Club’s financial support of the End Polio Now $200m Challenge having contributed $40,000 - the largest club contribution in RIBI
District Foundation Certificate January 2012 in recognition of exceeding District's club target with a contribution in excess of $6,000
District Chris Croft Trophy 2011-12 for having made largest contribution in RIBI to RI End Polio Now $200m Challenge of $41,855.53.
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| Past DG Paul Hutchinson presenting President Arthur with the Croft Cup 2009 at the District Conference | ADG Maurice Brooks presenting President Brian with the Foundation Certificate 2009-10 |
