MAKE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS
With our growing community of 1.4 million members,
located around the world.
WE TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES
Rotarians invest approximately 47 million volunteer hours every year, into improving the lives of those around them
WE FUND SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS
Rotary awarded $333 million to global service initiatives throughout the 2020 pandemic
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The Rotary Foundation
The Foundation was created in 1917 by Rotary International's sixth president, Arch C. Klumph, as an endowment fund for Rotary "to do good in the world." It has grown from an initial contribution of US$26.50 to more than US$73 million contributed in 2000-01. Its event-filled history is a story of Rotarians learning the value of service to humanity.
History of The Rotary Foundation
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In 1917, Arch C. Klumph, Rotary's sixth president, proposed to the Rotary International Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, the creation of an "endowment fund for Rotary . . . for the purpose of doing good in the world in charitable, educational, and other avenues of community service." A few months later, the endowment received its first contribution of $26.50 from the Rotary Club of Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
In 1928, when the endowment fund had grown to more than US$5,000, the fund was renamed The Rotary Foundation, and it became a distinct entity within Rotary International. Five Trustees, including Klumph, were appointed to "hold, invest, manage, and administer all of its property. . . as a single trust, for the furtherance of the purposes of RI."
Two years later, the Foundation made its first grant of US$500 to the International Society for Crippled Children. The ISCC — created by Rotarian Edgar F. "Daddy" Allen — later grew into the Easter Seals organization.
The Great Depression and World War II both impeded significant growth for the Foundation, but the need for promoting a lasting world peace generated great post-war interest in developing the Foundation. After Rotary founder Paul P. Harris died in 1947, contributions began pouring into Rotary International, and the Paul Harris Memorial Fund was created for the purpose of building the Foundation.
That same year, the first Foundation program was established — Fellowships for Advanced Study, which was the forerunner of the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships program. Then in 1965-66, three new programs were launched — Group Study Exchange, Awards for Technical Training, and Grants for Activities in Keeping with the Objective of The Rotary Foundation, which was later called Matching Grants.
The Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) program was launched in 1978, with the Rotary Volunteers program being created as a part of 3-H in 1980. The PolioPlus program was announced in 1984-85, and the following year saw the introduction of Rotary Grants for University Teachers. The first Peace Forums were held in 1987-88, leading to the establishment of Rotary Peace Programs. Then in 1989, 1963-64 RI President Carl P. Miller and his wife, Ruth, donated US$1 million to establish the Discovery Grants program.Throughout this time, support of the Foundation grew tremendously. Since that first $26.50 donation in 1917, the Foundation has received contributions totaling more than US$1 billion. More than US$68 million was donated in 1998-99 alone. To date, some 726,000 individuals have been recognized as Paul Harris Fellows — that is, someone who has contributed US$1000 or has had that amount contributed in his or her name.
Such strong support and involvement of Rotarians worldwide ensures a secure future for The Rotary Foundation as it continues its vital work for international understanding and world peace.
Dan Rizzi
2024-2025 Club President
Club President Letter 2024-25
Dear Rotarians and Friends of Rotary:
I am honored that you have entrusted me to be your 102nd President of the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale. Over the 102 years, we have tried to carry on what our past Rotarians have accomplished using their knowledge to move on to greater things. Rotary International’s motto for this year is “The Magic of Rotary.”
“The Magic of Rotary.” Imagine what that means. Imagine eradicating Polio, providing water wells in countries with no fresh water, teaching areas of the world how to grow their own food, and building bridges so families can cross rivers to get to towns to get supplies or have their children get to school. This is what Rotary is all about – helping others.
As for the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale, some of our local projects are the following:
- Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale partnering with Challenge Air provides plane rides to children with physical and mental challenges. This year we provided flights to 84 families, with 19 pilots providing their time and planes and over 160 volunteers and sponsors.
- The annual toy drive provides hundreds of toys and gifts to needy children and the elderly.
- Awarding over $3,000,000.00 in scholarships to deserving students in the Fort Lauderdale school district.
- Support of the Wheelchair Foundation which provides mobility to those in need.
- Having monthly socials/happy hours getting our members and guests together to get to know each other and to have fun.
- Annual Turkey Thanksgiving baskets and Christmas bell ringing for the Salvation Army.
- Having a Holiday Party to enjoy each other and to have fun.
- Having a fall picnic for members, families, and guests.
- When needed we help in hurricane and disaster relief.
- Working with the homeless.
- “Rotary Cares” provides clothes, food, toiletry accessories, and school supplies to underprivileged children as well as many other projects.
- And much more.
Some of the new:
- Members weekly introduction.
- Speakers from the business community.
- Bringing back Teacher of the Year.
- Rotarians Honoring Rotations. Rotarians recognizing their peers who have made a significant impact in the community during their years of service.
The Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale offers individuals many opportunities to serve others while enjoying fellowship and having fun with others.
We have a weekly meeting the first three Wednesdays of the month at 12:15 at the Global Event Center at First Baptist Church in downtown Fort Lauderdale, and a social the last Wednesday at a local business.
Please feel free to join us. We invite you to come to our meetings as a guest and see our amazing club. Please feel free to reach out to us via email at rotaryftlaud@gmail.com.
Daniel Rizzi, Club President 2024-2025
Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale
Volunteer With Us
As we begin our Rotary year, here is a quick reminder of the service projects we have on our schedule so far. We do not have exact dates for everything, but please keep these projects in mind and be on the lookout for more information. If you would like to help with any of these projects, please contact the chair directly. If you have ideas for new projects, please contact Kristin LaFleur or St. George Guardabassi.
- Find Your Way Home – Jorg Hruschka – Select Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Holiday Toy Drive – Linda Cooke – October – December
- Thanksgiving Baskets – Steve Botkin – Saturday, November 18
- Salvation Army Bell Ringing – Steve Botkin – December
- Challenge Air – Dan Rizzi – January 26 & 27
- Agape Love Breakfast – Gail Auguston-Koppen – February 9 & 10
Rotarians In Action