On June 18, 1917, in Atlanta, Georgia, a bold vision was planted.
During the Rotary International Convention, outgoing President Arch C. Klumph proposed the creation of an endowment fund to support Rotary’s humanitarian work. That proposal — modest in size but rich in purpose — marked the birth of what we now know as The Rotary Foundation.
With just $26.50 in its earliest account, the Foundation has since grown into one of the most respected philanthropic organizations in the world. For over a century, it has supported projects that span clean water, disease prevention, literacy, maternal health, and peacebuilding — with a global footprint of compassion.
What began as an idea has become a movement. What started with one Rotarian’s vision has inspired generations.
The impact is staggering: billions of dollars invested in global service, millions of lives changed, and a legacy that touches every corner of the earth. But the true power of The Rotary Foundation isn’t just in the numbers. It’s in the people. The clubs that mobilize. The donors who believe. The Rotarians who act.
Today, on its 107th birthday, we celebrate more than a fund. We celebrate a philosophy — that when people come together with shared purpose, service becomes transformative.
Thank you to every Rotarian who gives, serves, and believes. The Foundation lives on because of you. And its future is as bright as the vision that started it all.
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