An Inside Look at The Rotary Foundation

Editor's Notes

1. Ladies and Gentlemen, It is my pleasure to be here with you today to update you on the exciting future of our Rotary Foundation. In the past [or upcoming ] few days, our DGEs and other district leaders have learned [or will learn] many details about Future Vision, our Foundation’s new grant model. Today, let’s take a step back and consider why our Trustees have set our Foundation on this new direction and why they believe we are prepared for this change.<<CLICK>> 
2. The goals of Future Vision are to: Simplify and streamline Foundation’s grant activities and their rules and processesCreate bigger projects that have lasting, sustainable impacts, help more people, and provide greater support for Rotary’s public image Empower Rotarians by giving them greater flexibility in their grant activitiesAnd, finally, align and focus Rotarian service efforts within six areas of focus <<CLICK>>
3. These areas of focus were identified by studying the past 10 years of Rotarian service interests. They provide the focus needed to make larger impact, while aligning with the majority of Rotarian service efforts and the world’s most urgent needs.Let’s hear what some of our fellow Rotarians have to say about the need for Future Vision <<CLICK>>
4. To reduce the confusion, cut through the red tape, and make and the system easier to use, the designers decreased the number of grant types from twelve to three:District grantsGlobal grantsPackaged grantsThese are in addition to PolioPlus and Rotary Peace Centers programs, which are still top priorities for The Rotary Foundation and will continue as currently structured.<<CLICK>>
5. District grants are issued annually in a lump sum to the district, based on submission of a simple spending plan. District grants offer flexibility because: They support short-term activities that can be either local or internationalThe projects they fund must align with the Foundation’s mission, but don’t have to conform to the six areas of focusAnd district grant projects can include cultural and fellowship exchanges by individuals and groups similar to a traditional group study exchange <<CLICK>>
6. Global grants were designed to focus the majority of The Rotary Foundation resources on larger, more sustainable projects that fall within the six areas of focus. Global grants are supported by a minimum match from the World Fund of US$15,000 which means that the minimum project cost is US$30,000. Global grants are international, requiring a partnership between a host club or district and at least one club or district across borders.Finally, global grants must be sustainable, which means they are designed and implemented so that the benefiting community can maintain long-term solutions to community needs after grant funding ends.<<CLICK>>
7. The final type of grant under Future Vision is packaged grants, which build on Rotary’s tradition of partnering with other organizations to pool resources and expertise in order to achieve greater impact. The Foundation develops these grants with its selected strategic partners. Thus far during the pilot, we have formed strategic partnerships with:Aga Khan UniversityOiko CreditMercy ShipsUNESCO-IHE<<CLICK>>
8. Packaged grant projectsAre planned and implemented by Rotarians Require no financial commitment by the project sponsorsAnd thus provide a way for smaller clubs with limited resources to become involved with the Foundation <<CLICK>>
9. All three grant types – district, global, and packaged – can support humanitarian projects, scholarships, and vocational training teams. All activities supported by global and packaged grants must fall into one or more of the areas of focus, while district grants have no area of focus or sustainability requirements.<<CLICK>>
10. Let’s talk for a minute about those vocational training teams. Under Future Vision, the Foundation is expanding its commitment to vocational training by transforming the traditional group study exchange into the new vocational training teams, or VTTs. VTTs offer great flexibility because They can be made up of Rotarians and non-Rotarians.There are no restrictions on team size or members’ age. They can focus on training or on being trained.And they offer opportunities for international fellowship and cultural exchange similar to that of a traditional GSE.<<CLICK>>
11. To recap, under Future Vision, The Rotary Foundation is reducing the number of grant types from 12 to 3. District grants, which offer considerable flexibility and can be used to fund smaller projects both locally and abroad. Global grants, which support larger projects that have sustainable, measurable, high-impact outcomes in one or more areas of focus. And packaged grants, which support projects that are designed with a strategic partner and are funded entirely by the Foundation and the partner organization.<<CLICK>>
12. CROSSWORD—The Rotary Foundation and its Trustees expect to realize many benefits from Future Vision--for Rotarians, The Rotary Foundation, and, most important, the increased number of people we can help. We expect that<<CLICK>>
13. CROSSWORD—The Rotary Foundation and its Trustees expect to realize many benefits from Future Vision--for Rotarians, The Rotary Foundation, and, most important, the increased number of people we can help. We expect that<<CLICK>>
14. VIDEO #7: “DOING GOOD IN THE WORLD”<<CLICK>>
15. And, finally, let me leave you with a reminder from our founder. We must be prepared to change with the world.Thank you for your time and patience.I pass this back to Moderator XXXXX, and I hope you enjoy the rest of this panel/discussion on Future Vision.