This weeks program was presented by Ashley Mitchell, The Annual Giving Officer at Rotary International Headquarters in Illinois.
88% of all funds raised go directly to operations and grant awards and Rotary International Foundation has been a 4 Star designee by Charity Navigator for 16 straight years. There are three main functions, the Annual Investments, Polio Plus, and the RI Endowment.
The annual fund holds investments for three years and can be designated or can go towards the world fund.
Polio Plus has had a huge impact, BUT, there are still two countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan, struggling with cases. Rotary has been responsible for 370 million vaccinations for children through the years, with over 100 thousand Polio workers, and the Purple Pinkie program, started here in Knoxville, raised 1.6 million dollars in 2024.
The Rotary International Endowment has a goal of 2 Billion dollars and currently stands at 1.85 Billion dollars. The endowment is supported by Paul Harris Fellows ($1k donors), Paul Harris Society members ($1k per year commitment), and major donors ($10K and above) with the Arch Klumph Society. Ms. Mitchell thanked all of our club Paul Harris Fellows, PH Society members, and Major Donors.