Transforming lives
This past year, my wife, Gay, and I have been privileged to witness the impact of The Rotary Foundation. From dialysis centres in India to environmental projects in Taiwan and educational initiatives worldwide, we have had a front-row seat to the life-changing results of your generosity. To see the work of our Foundation firsthand gives one a deeper understanding of Rotary’s power to transform lives by spreading peace, hope and health.
In Bangkok, we saw a specialised life-support machine for critically-ill patients with lung and heart problems at a public hospital — only the second machine of its kind available to the city’s 11 million residents outside of private care. Funded through a global grant, this technology is saving lives because Rotary members saw a need and responded.
Everything Rotary accomplishes through the Foundation — Rotary Peace Centers, Programs of Scale, global and district grants — relies on a strong and growing endowment. This is The Magic of Rotary that you make possible through your generosity.
That is the reason I am so passionate about our goal to build the net assets and commitments of The Rotary Foundation Endowment to $2.025 billion by June 30, 2025. The trustees set this goal in 2016, after exceeding earlier targets and recognising the growing interest in endowed giving. Thanks to your extraordinary support — including gifts from the estates of members — the net assets and commitments of the Endowment have grown substantially and are within reach of our goal.
To contribute to the Endowment, talk with your endowment/major gifts adviser or your major gifts officer, or visit rotary.org/donate. Your generosity can help us reach our goal, which we will celebrate at the Rotary International Convention in Calgary this month.
The fruits of these gifts may not be seen for several years. We are planting trees — trees that will grow to fund Rotary Peace Fellows and scholarships, put an end to polio, support high-impact Programs of Scale and global grants, and allow our Annual Fund to spread more hope.
During my 40-year journey in Rotary leadership, The Rotary Foundation has always been at the core. From leading a Group Study Exchange team in 1986 to serving as District Rotary Foundation chair, trustee, RI president, and now as trustee chair, it has been the honour of a lifetime.
I am fortunate to have experienced and been inspired by the magic that you have created through your dedication, service and action. Let us together continue planting trees that will provide fruit for generations.
Mark Daniel Maloney
TRF Trustee Chair
