T o provide secure funding for the Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution, US$95 million is needed.

The funding initiative will enable Rotarians around the world to help foster world understanding and peace through education. It will focus on raising $90 million in endowed support for 120 Rotary World Peace Fellowships and $5 million for one-time fellowships to help provide more immediate support.

As of 30 June 2009, more than $41.7 million has been contributed or committed to this effort by individuals, clubs and districts through outright gifts, estate gifts and District Designated Funds.

The long-term success of the Rotary Centers depends on the financial support of Rotarians and friends of Rotary. Fellowships are the primary focus of the Rotary Centers funding effort, but there are many opportunities to support the program.

Endowment opportunities

An endowed fund is a gift made to the Permanent Fund of The Rotary Foundation. The principal of an endowed fund is never spent, and a portion of the income is made available for the Rotary Centers as specified by the donor.

$1.5 million   
Endows a Rotary World Peace Fellow as often as every year for a two-year course of study in perpetuity

More than $750,000   
Endows a Rotary World Peace Fellow as often as every two years for a two-year course of study in perpetuity

More than $500,000  
Endows a Rotary World Peace Fellow as often as every three years for a two-year course of study in perpetuity

Funding a single fellowship

$60,000 
A one-time restricted annual gift of $60,000 funds a Rotary World Peace Fellowship for the full two-year program. This outright contribution provides immediate funding for the Rotary Centers, and 100 percent of the gift is spent on the program.

Become a Rotary Centers Peacebuilder District

Rotary districts also support the Rotary Centers for International Studies program by becoming a Rotary Centers Peacebuilder District. Districts that allocate US$25,000 per year or $50,000 every other year from their District Designated Funds to support a Rotary World Peace Fellow will be designated as a Rotary Centers Peacebuilder District and will be recognized appropriately. Because funds contributed from the DDF are intended to support fellows selected on a world-competitive basis, the DDF allocated by a district is not connected to a fellow from that district.

For more information on how to become a Rotary Centers Peacebuilder District please e-mail the Rotary Centers for International Studies.

Other opportunities exist for making a named gift in support of the Rotary Centers. For more information, e-mail Foundation staff, or call 847-866-3035. To learn how your district can support the Rotary Centers, contact a Rotary Centers staff member, or call 847-866-3307.