The Rotary Foundation
The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. In more than 100 years, the Foundation has invested over $4 billion in life-changing, sustainable projects.
With your help, we make lives better
The mission of The Rotary Foundation 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.
The Foundation helps fund our humanitarian work, from local service projects to global initiatives. Your club can apply for grants to invest in projects and provide scholarships. The Foundation also leads worldwide campaigns such as eradicating polio and promoting peace — all supported by the voluntary contributions of Rotarians and friends of Rotary.
District Rotary Foundation Committee
The District chairs who steward District 5330’s giving and grants — from the Annual Fund and Polio Plus to global and district grants, scholarships, and peace fellowships.
To Be Announced
Seven areas where Rotary creates lasting change
Rotary is dedicated to causes that build international relationships, improve lives, and create a better world — supporting our peace efforts and the drive to end polio forever.
Promoting Peace
We train leaders to prevent and mediate conflict, foster understanding across cultures, and help refugees who have fled dangerous areas.
Fighting Disease
We educate and equip communities to stop the spread of diseases like polio, HIV/AIDS, and malaria, and expand access to low-cost care.
Clean Water & Sanitation
We support local solutions for clean water, sanitation, and hygiene — and share expertise so projects succeed long-term.
Mothers & Children
We expand access to quality care so mothers and their children can live and grow stronger.
Supporting Education
We strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy and reduce gender disparity in education.
Growing Local Economies
We carry out projects that create opportunity for productive work and strengthen entrepreneurs and community leaders.
Protecting the Environment
Rotary members tackle environmental issues with hands-on projects, connections to change policy, and planning for the future.
A district that leads in generosity
Doing good in the world, both locally and abroad, is the most well-recognized aspect of The Rotary Foundation (TRF). Through the cultural bridges Rotary builds — and the integrity embodied in The Four-Way Test — TRF can solve big problems efficiently, effectively, and sustainably.
District 5330 has always been a top donor worldwide and continues to lead. Funding for Foundation programs is largely tied to District 5330 contributions over time, making generosity a priority. The District also provides extensive Foundation training for all of our clubs and Rotarians.
Foundation giving flows through several funds and designations — each with a different job:
The primary fund behind Rotary Foundation grants and programs. Gifts to Annual Fund-SHARE help create the World Fund and District Designated Funds (DDF), which power district grants, global grants, scholarships, and vocational training teams.
Supports the Rotary projects happening now.
Supports Rotary’s commitment to eradicate polio — funding vaccines, transportation, materials, surveillance, and outbreak response.
Keeps Rotary’s promise to end polio.
Gifts invested for the long term, with the earnings supporting Foundation programs so future Rotarians can keep funding sustainable projects.
Helps ensure Rotary can do good in the world for generations to come.
Helps Rotary respond when communities are affected by natural disasters, supporting relief and recovery through Rotary disaster response grants.
Helps Rotary act quickly when communities are in crisis.
Used by The Rotary Foundation to support global grants and Foundation-wide priorities around the world.
Powers large-scale impact around the world.
The portion of Foundation giving that returns to the district to fund district grants, global grant matches, scholarships, and other approved Foundation activities.
Helps District 5330 support club projects locally and globally.
Turning generosity into local and global projects
Using Rotary Foundation grants, clubs develop and carry out sustainable humanitarian projects and provide scholarships and training. District 5330 offers two kinds of grants.
District Grants
District Grants fund small-scale, short-term projects that address needs in your community and communities abroad — from food banks and school supplies to handicap ramps, senior and veteran support, RYLA and PRYDE. Applications open each spring through the DACdb Grants Module.
District Grants →Global Grants
Global Grants support large international activities with sustainable, measurable outcomes in Rotary’s areas of focus. Grant sponsors form international partnerships, and the District matches club contributions with District Designated Funds (DDF). Applications are accepted year-round.
Global Grants →New to grants? Start with the Types of Grants overview, then complete the Rotary grant management training that fits you:
You must sign in to your My Rotary account to view the trainings.
Targeted programs that change lives
Alongside the grants it awards around the world, The Rotary Foundation runs flagship programs that District 5330 clubs and Rotarians take part in every year.
Ways we celebrate generosity
Rotary recognizes the donors and friends of Rotary whose giving makes our work possible — from a first milestone gift to a lifetime of leadership giving.
Paul Harris Fellow
Recognizes someone who contributes — or has $1,000 contributed in their name — to The Rotary Foundation. Recognizes meaningful support of the Foundation.
Paul Harris Society
For Rotarians and friends of Rotary who commit to giving $1,000 or more every year. Annual leadership giving to the Foundation.
PolioPlus Society
For those who make an ongoing commitment to support Rotary’s effort to end polio. Helps keep Rotary’s promise to end polio.
PolioPlus Kennel Klub
A fun way for Rotarians, friends, and even their pets to back End Polio Now through a recurring or annual gift. Support End Polio Now — one paw at a time.
Celebrate — and fund — Rotary’s impact
Each year District 5330 brings Rotarians together for fellowship and fundraising that powers Foundation giving close to home and around the world.
Protecting donor trust
Stewardship is the responsibility every Rotary member and district shares to manage Foundation funds carefully, ethically, and transparently — following grant rules, keeping accurate records, using funds only for approved purposes, documenting expenses, measuring outcomes, and reporting results.
Every Foundation grant is made possible by donor generosity. Strong stewardship ensures that Rotary projects are ethical, sustainable, measurable, and worthy of continued support.
- Completing required grant training
- Following district and Rotary Foundation grant guidelines
- Keeping receipts and accurate financial records
- Avoiding conflicts of interest
- Ensuring funds are used only for the approved project
- Reporting project outcomes
- Sharing the impact with donors, clubs, and the community
How your club can get involved
Five ways District 5330 clubs put the Foundation to work — and turn generosity into lasting change.
Give
Encourage members to give to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus, the Endowment Fund, or another Foundation priority.
Apply for a Grant
Identify a community need, attend district grant training, and apply for district or global grant funding.
Share Your Impact
Tell the story of Foundation-funded projects through photos, newsletters, social media, and district storytelling.
Attend Foundation Events
Join the Foundation Gala, support district fundraisers, and take part in opportunities that raise funds for Rotary service.
Practice Strong Stewardship
Complete reports, save receipts, measure outcomes, and use Foundation funds responsibly.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Rotary Foundation?
The Rotary Foundation is Rotary’s charitable foundation. It receives donations and uses them to fund grants, scholarships, disaster response, polio eradication, peacebuilding, and other humanitarian work.
What’s the difference between a district grant and a global grant?
District grants are generally smaller, more flexible, and administered through the district. Global grants are larger international projects with sustainable, measurable outcomes in one or more of Rotary’s areas of focus.
What is DDF?
DDF stands for District Designated Funds — Foundation funds available to the district to support approved Rotary projects, grants, scholarships, and other Foundation activities.
What is the Paul Harris Society?
The Paul Harris Society recognizes individuals who commit to giving $1,000 or more each year to The Rotary Foundation.
What is the PolioPlus Kennel Klub?
A fun giving opportunity that allows Rotarians, friends of Rotary, and pet lovers to support Rotary’s work to end polio.
Why does stewardship matter?
Stewardship ensures Foundation funds are used ethically, transparently, and for the approved purpose. It protects donor trust and helps Rotary keep funding meaningful service.
Help us change lives locally and around the world
Every gift to The Rotary Foundation becomes a project, a scholarship, or a vaccine. Give today, or get involved with a District 5330 club.