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Submitted by: Keith Brokke, District Governor Nominee-Designate, District Foundation Chairand Debra Warner, Past District Governor, District Endowment Chair, Zone 28 Assistant Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator
Yikes! How are we already at the end of 2018? This is a time when many people review their financial picture and do last minute planning, including considering charitable contributions to reduce their tax liability for 2018.
There is still time to make a year-end contribution and we encourage you to make Rotary your charity of choice for year-end giving.
Your contributions to the Annual Fund help support our humanitarian activities today which includes local service projects as well as global initiatives, while contributions to the Endowment Fund ensures a strong future for the Foundation because the principle of the gift is never spent. Donors typically support the Endowment Fund through outright and planned gifts and the opportunities to contribute include: bequest commitments, life insurance, marketable securities, real estate and charitable trusts or annuities. If you would like more information on the Endowment Fund, please contact District Endowment Fund Chair Debra Warner at debrawarner13@gmail.com. Also, you can contribute to the PolioPlus campaign and join in the final push to eradicate polio in the world. For the next three years, the Gates Foundation will match every $1 Rotary commits to polio eradication 2-to-1, up to $50 million per year. What a great way to leverage your contribution!
It is the only charity that allows you to direct how your funds are spent, on which projects you choose and the beneficiaries you most want to help. Donations to The Rotary Foundation from District 5580 Rotarians come back to our district each year in District Designated Funds. Clubs can then apply for District Grants and/or Global Grants and use awarded funds on projects they have designed. A past Rotary Foundation Trustee, Paul Netzel asked Rotarians to think about: “What can I do as a Rotarian to tackle an issue that is near and dear to me and how can I engage the Foundation to help me?” Contributions to The Rotary Foundation make it possible for you and your clubs to utilize foundation funds to transform lives locally and around the worldwide.
The Rotary Foundation has been rated a 4-Star Charity for eleven years because of its strength in accountability and transparency and efficiency because 91% of funds are spent directly on programs…very impressive!
So, make Rotary your charity of choice and talk to your club and family members about doing the same. Our communities – and the entire world – will benefit from that choice. Because of you, The Rotary Foundation is a reality and because of you we can continue “to do good in the world!” We sincerely thank each of you for your contributions to the Foundation and joining in making a difference in the world.
Rotary International has an easy way to contribute to The Rotary Foundation on a regular basis through a reoccurring giving program called Rotary Direct. Also, you can donate directly to Rotary International by clicking on the link below.
We wish you a very joyous holiday season and a Happy New Year!