History of The Rotary Foundation

In 1917, RI President Arch C. Klumph proposed that an endowment be set up “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” In 1928, when the endowment fund had grown to more than US$5,000, it was renamed The Rotary Foundation, and it became a distinct entity within Rotary International.

Five Trustees, including Klumph, were appointed to “hold, invest, manage, and administer all of its property . . . as a single trust, for the furtherance of the purposes of RI.”

Two years later, the Foundation made its first grant of $500 to the International Society for Crippled Children. The organization, created by Rotarian Edgar F. “Daddy” Allen, later grew into the Easter Seals.

The Great Depression and World War II both impeded the Foundation’s growth, but the need for lasting world peace generated great postwar interest in its development. After Rotary’s founder, Paul P. Harris, died in 1947, contributions began pouring into Rotary International, and the Paul Harris Memorial Fund was created to build the Foundation.

That year, the first Foundation program – the forerunner of Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships – was established. In 1965-66, three new programs were launched: Group Study Exchange, Awards for Technical Training, and Grants for Activities in Keeping with the Objective of The Rotary Foundation, which was later called Matching Grants.

The Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants program was launched in 1978, and Rotary Volunteers was created as a part of that program in 1980. PolioPlus was announced in 1984-85, and the next year brought Rotary Grants for University Teachers . The first peace forums were held in 1987-88, leading to the Foundation's peace and conflict studies programs.

Throughout this time, support of the Foundation grew tremendously. Since the first donation of $26.50 in 1917, it has received contributions totaling more than $1 billion. More than $70 million was donated in 2003-04 alone. To date, more than one million individuals have been recognized as Paul Harris Fellows – people who have given $1,000 to the Annual Programs Fund or have had that amount contributed in their name.

Such strong support, along with Rotarian involvement worldwide, ensures a secure future for The Rotary Foundation as it continues its vital work for international understanding and world peace.

Source: https://lharotary.com/stories/history-of-the-rotary-foundation

What is the Arch Klumph Society?

Named after the sixth president of Rotary, the Arch Klumph Society recognizes The Rotary Foundation's highest tier of donors — those who have contributed $250,000 or more during their lifetime.

Membership
Membership in the Arch Klumph Society is lifelong. Each member has the opportunity to have his or her portrait placed in the Arch Klumph Society Gallery, located on the 17th floor of Rotary International World Headquarters in Evanston, Illinois, USA. Portraits are etched on glass plaques to create a stunning display of our Foundation's most valued supporters. Members will also have their profiles included in an interactive display, plus receive pins, pendants, and several other benefits commensurate with their generosity.

Induction and elevation ceremonies
Society members can choose to be inducted in one of several ways:

At a multi-day ceremony with other inductees at Rotary International World Headquarters
At a ceremony with local Rotary leaders during a Rotary institute
At a ceremony during the Rotary International Convention
Other induction options may be made available each year at the discretion of the trustee chair.

The Rotary Foundation now also offers elevation ceremonies to honor those who have achieved a higher recognition level within the Arch Klumph Society. These ceremonies take place in conjunction with other Arch Klumph Society inductions and provide another opportunity to celebrate these special donors’ continued generosity.

Arch Klumph Society recognition levels

$250,000-$499,999: Trustees Circle

$500,000-$999,999: Chair's Circle

$1,000,000-$2,499,999: Foundation Circle

$2,500,000-$4,999,999: Platinum Trustees Circle

$5,000,000-$9,999,999: Platinum Chair's Circle

$10,000,000+: Platinum Foundation Circle

The Financial Contributions of Society Members Support Rotary’s Seven Areas of Focus

Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention, Disease Prevention and Treatment, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, Maternal and Child Health, Basic Education and Literacy, Community Economic Development, and Supporting the Environment.

Source: https://www.rotary.org/en/about-rotary/history/arch-klumph-society