When most people join Rotary, they know little, if anything, about The Rotary Foundation.
Membership Month is a great time to highlight the powerful connection between membership and our Foundation.
People who are drawn to Rotary care deeply about their communities and want to make a substantive difference. They’re looking for meaningful, hands-on ways to serve — and the Foundation helps make those opportunities possible.
Cause-based Rotary clubs are one exciting way new members are finding purpose in Rotary, and these clubs also bring fresh energy and activity to our Foundation. I invited Marisol Chianello, president of one such club, to share her perspective:
“As a nonprofit attorney, I long believed I didn’t have the time to be part of Rotary. But when I heard about a new cause-based e-club — the Rotary Club of Mental Health and Wellness District 5280 — I felt I had to be part of it.
In just three years, our club has done a lot to support mental health needs in Southern California and awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to graduate students in the field, including one this year to a student in Uganda.
Just a few months ago, we were approved for our first global grant to provide a mix of in-person and digital mental wellness support to survivors of the 2023 earthquakes in southeastern Turkey.
Through our service, we’ve attracted new members from across the United States, including women and younger members who might not have otherwise joined Rotary. Cause-based clubs like ours offer a meaningful entry point for people committed to a specific cause — backed by the global reach and Foundation support of Rotary.”
Marisol’s story reminds us what’s possible when Rotary service meets Foundation support. I wonder how many cause-based club members knew the full extent of Foundation resources when they began. How many existing clubs could partner with these groups on grants?
As we build new Rotary and Rotaract clubs and welcome new members, let’s keep The Rotary Foundation at the forefront. The Foundation enriches the membership experience, supports club growth, and deepens our impact.
The Rotary Foundation is more than just a source of funding; it is an invitation to endless opportunities. It’s a living expression of who we are as Rotary. The Foundation, too, can be a vital part of every member’s experience when they join us or start a new club.
Holger Knaack
TRF Trustee Chair