Bang for your buck

The Rotary Foundation’s unique model maximizes donors’ impact

by Maureen Vaught

Garry Browne has built a successful career in marketing and branding. So when it comes to asking for donations to The Rotary Foundation, he sticks to what he knows. 

“You’ve got to excite them with the fact that you have something unique and different,” says Browne, a director of Rotary Foundation Australia. 

And what makes the Foundation unique and different? Rotary members. Every project that is funded by a Foundation grant is carried out by a club. Every scholarship is supported by a club. And every vocational training team is overseen by a club. 

“The importance of Rotary volunteers can’t be overemphasized,” says Rotary Foundation Australia Chair Maurie Stack. 

Stack says a global grant project with $100,000 in funding has the potential to be valued at $150,000 when you add the volunteer time spent by the host and international sponsor clubs. “The bang for your buck is pretty strong,” says Stack, an Arch Klumph Society member. 

Helping to maximize a donation’s value is the Foundation’s low overhead. Rotary consistently ranks in the top tier of organizations in terms of its ratio of program expenses to administrative expenses. In fact, 92 cents on the dollar are used directly in program awards and operations related to carrying out those awards. Charity Navigator recently gave Rotary a perfect rating of 100 for financial health, accountability, and transparency — stating that donors can “give with confidence” to this charity.  

For Browne, supporting the Foundation comes down to wanting to make a difference. “I could choose to put my funds to something else,” he says, “but I’m very keen to try to create an impact and make the world a better place.”  

“When I was club president, I always used to say that there are two ways you can help in this world,” says Browne. “One is to give of your time, and the other is to put your hand in your pocket. I like to think Rotarians actually do both.” 

Here are some other reasons to support The Rotary Foundation: 

Range of giving options: Depending on your passion, you can direct your donation to promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water and sanitation, saving mothers and children, supporting education, growing local economies, or protecting the environment. “Our seven causes have been selected to ensure that funds are directed to what long experience tells us are the areas of greatest need, which happily align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” says Stack. In addition to supporting Rotary’s areas of focus, donors can give to PolioPlus, the Annual Fund, or disaster response, among other options. 

Transparency and efficiency: “I’m comforted by the fact that the Foundation is strict in its accountability. At the end of a project, you have to account for every cent of the money you received. You have to produce receipts, you have to produce bank statements. You have to satisfy an officer at the Foundation that the money was spent in the way it was intended,” Stack says.  

Sustainable results: Donors want assurance that their giving will have lasting impact, long after their individual contribution is spent. That’s why sustainability is built into the criteria of all global grant projects. If it’s a project providing a water well or a medical machine, the Foundation seeks assurance that it will be maintained. If it’s an economic development project, the Foundation wants to know that skills are being passed on to future generations. 

Ease of giving: It’s as easy as logging in to your My Rotary account. You can also use Rotary Direct to set up recurring giving on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. It’s a safe and easy way to fulfill your commitment to the Foundation. No matter how you send your contributions, by including your member ID, you’ll ensure that the amount you give accumulates over the years and you can be recognized. 

Legacy for the future: Stack knows that not every Rotary member is able to make a large financial contribution in their lifetime. But by making provisions in your will to provide ongoing financial support to the Foundation, you’ll ensure that funding will be available for the programs you’re passionate about, year after year.  

“Your kids won’t be saddened by the fact that you handed over $10,000 or $20,000 to the Foundation,” adds Stack. “They’ll be proud that you gave generously to your community.” 

This story originally appeared in the August 2022 issue of Rotary magazine.