2016 Give Back Tuesday –  An End to TRF Month

Posted by Sean Paddy on Nov 29, 2016
 
November 29th, 2016 is carded as Rotary's 'Give Back Tuesday' - a day we as Rotarians should all take account of our contributions to the The Rotary Foundation (TRF) and the work it does. To end the TRF month of November, PDG David Edwards – District 7030 TRF Fundraising Chair – has produced some inspiring and relevant information on contributing towards TRF. Many Rotarians may not be aware of how the TRF systems work either at an international or district level and are encouraged to review the material herein.
 
 
SHARE AND DISTRICT DESIGNATED FUND
 
Through the SHARE system, contributions to The Rotary Foundation are transformed into grants that fund local and international humanitarian projects, scholarships, and activities, such as vocational training teams. At the end of every Rotary year, contributions directed to the Annual Fund-SHARE from all Rotary clubs in the district are divided between the World Fund and the District Designated Fund (DDF).

At the end of three years, your district can use the DDF to pay for Foundation, club, and district projects that your club and others in the district choose. Districts may use up to half of their DDF to fund district grants. The remaining DDF may be used for global grants or donated to PolioPlus, the Rotary Peace Centers, or another district.
 
District officers are encouraged to monitor their district’s DDF availability and activity by viewing the SHARE Contribution Detail Report and Available DDF by District Report via their My Rotary account.
 
 
EVERY ROTARIAN EVERY YEAR
 
The Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY) initiative asks every Rotarian to support The Rotary Foundation every year. In addition to contributing to the Annual Fund on a regular basis, members are encouraged to get involved in a Foundation project or program.

Rotary Direct Support our efforts year round by making a recurring gift through Rotary Direct. You choose how much and how often (monthly, quarterly, or annually) you want to give — it’s a simple and secure way to make a big impact. Visit rotary.org/give 
 
The Annual Fund is the primary source of funding for the programs of The Rotary Foundation.  The Annual Fund is the cornerstone for these programs; for the beneficiaries, and why we give.  It is for the stories these programs permit us to tell.
 
For us to continue doing so much good in the world, it is necessary for Every Rotarian to participate in the programs and to support our Foundation Every Year.
 
If Rotary is to be there to: Teach children to read, build wells, feed the hungry, care for the sick, shelter the poor; then Every Rotarian is invited to support the Annual Fund with a personal contribution, Every Year. 

Check if your Rotary club has a club fundraising goal for the Annual Fund this year, and help achieve it with your personal gift.
 
Rotarians and friends of Rotary can also direct Annual Fund contributions to any of the Foundation’s six areas of focus.  These additional opportunities are intended to attract new donors, including non-Rotarians and other organizations; Contributions directed to any of the six areas of focus are included toward a club’s annual giving goal and per capita calculations. Likewise, they are eligible for all APF recognition opportunities. 
 
Areas of focus designated contributions are not included in a district’s SHARE calculation and do not generate any DDF. 
 
To review: when we contribution to Annual Fund – SHARE, fifty percent (50%) of our contributions come back to our district through District Designated Funds (DDF) in three years to spend on educational and humanitarian activities chosen by us; even grants that may be used for projects in our local community. 
 
The 5 percent that is earmarked to potentially pay for the Foundation’s operating expenses will come from the World Fund. It will be used only if it is needed to pay expenses when net investment returns are not sufficient, or to fully fund the operating reserve (up to three times annual operating expenses). If funds are not needed for these purposes, they will remain in the World Fund until the World Fund is measured to ensure sufficient funds for programs.
 
In the final step, the World Fund will be measured to ensure that it contains 50 percent of the three prior years’ worth of contributions, plus $5 million – a growth factor. Then and only then, surplus funds will be transferred to the Endowment Fund. 
 
This funding model:
  • Builds our financial strength by ensuring that resources are available to meet current needs: programs and operating expenses.
  • Establishes a reserve to provide for unusual financial events (a rainy day fund): the operating reserve.
  • Ensures an increase in future programs through increased returns on the Endowment Fund.
Celebrate the Foundation’s centennial by making a special contribution to help us reach our goal.
 
To mark this historic year, TRF has set a goal of $300 million, including contributions to the Annual, Endowment, and PolioPlus funds. By making a special centennial gift beyond what you normally contribute, you are helping to launch our Foundation into its second century of service. And you’re empowering Rotary members to continue fighting disease, reducing poverty, providing clean water, promoting peace, and advancing economic development in communities all over the world.
 
Only contributions received between 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2017 will count toward the goal.
 
Sign in to My Rotary to see your club’s contributions during the centennial year.
 
This page is updated twice monthly.
 
Recent Quotes:
 
“Now is the time to enable our Foundation to serve humanity for centuries to come, by making sure it is financially strong and remains recognized internationally for its good work.”

–                                         Kalyan Banerjee
2016-17 Trustee Chair
 
“Growing up in an extremely underprivileged background, I was still able to attain an education, aided by good Samaritans, including Rotarians. Giving, however little, can touch a heart and permanently change a life. Resty and I are proud to give to the Foundation. For us, it is both paying back and forward for the favors humanity has offered us over the years.”
 
–              Emmanuel and Resty Katongole
Arch Klumph Society Trustees Circle
Rotary Foundation Benefactors
Rotary Club of Muyenga, Uganda
 
 
Make History Today Fundraising Ideas 
  • Consider these ideas for creative fundraisers that have proven successful for clubs and districts:
  • Celebrate a Big Day: Rather than exchanging gifts for a special occasion, request that friends and family make a contribution to PolioPlus.
  • Raffles Big and Small: Raffle, a seven-night cruise or four tickets to a local event such as a cricket/football  game or a concert. Clubs can have a weekly raffle for local restaurants or area businesses.
  • Skip a Meal: At your Rotary Club meeting, opt to skip the meal and donate the cost to PolioPlus.
  • Organize a walk-a-thon, bike-a-thon : Find Rotarians, Rotarian Fellowships, athletic groups or other community members who want to participate and ask them to solicit pledges for miles or kilometers walked or pedaled.
  • Plan a Special Event: dinner, golf tournament, festival, picnic, wine tasting, Valentine’s Day dance, silent auction, sports competition are just a few suggestions that could draw participation from Rotarians and other members of the community. 
  • Create a special item for sale: Cookbooks, pens, teddy bears, and mugs are only some of the items that have been sold to raise funds for PolioPlus.
  • White elephant gift auction: after the holidays, ask club members to donate “white elephant” gifts that they do not want or need. Auction these items off at a club meeting to raise money for Polio!
  • Pennies for Polio: a great way to involve non-Rotarians in the district. Rotarians and their friends and families place coin-collection cans or boxes in local businesses, schools, and homes. All proceeds are combined and donated to Polio.
  • Movie Night: Work with local cinemas to organize a movie night where the proceeds (or part of the proceeds) from admission are donated to Polio. Publicize the event in the paper, on the radio and in all Rotary Clubs in the area and encourage family members, friends and non-Rotarians to attend.
  • Million Dollar Dinner: Arrange to have a dinner with a Rotary Senior Leader, local celebrity, or District Governor. Invite guests who are able to make a significant gift to PolioPlus.
  • Fireside Chat: A local Rotarian invites other members from the District to his or her home for an update on Polio eradication and an opportunity to discuss making a major gift. This event may be hosted by a Rotary officer or a Major Donor. 
 
Traditionally our District has been known to contribute late in the Rotary year.  I urge all Presidents and TRF Chairs to encourage members to join Rotary Direct to allow them to make easy monthly payments .  When left until the last month, it limits the funds that are available. 

I urge you to challenge the a club nearby to a friendly competition to see which club can gain the highest percentage increase in Rotary Direct contributors by April 1, 2017.
 
If you take up this challenge just let me know the current numbers of rotary direct in your club so I can register the challenge.  The winner will get a prize at the District Conference.
 
For more information on TRF including SHARE, DDF, Grants and Goals,
Please contact
PDG David Edwards: E- pdgdavid7030@gmail.com