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CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ANNUAL FUND
The SHARE Annual Fund is the primary source of funding for a wide range of the Rotary Foundation’s local and international activities. “Every Rotarian, Every Year” (EREY) is the fundraising initiative designed to encourage support for the Foundation’s Annual Fund. As part of EREY, every Rotary member is asked to: make a contribution to the Annual Fund each year; and participate in a Foundation grant or program each year. Through the SHARE Annual Fund, contributions are transformed into grants that change lives.
Contributions to the SHARE Annual Fund are allocated as follows:
47.5% goes to the World Fund.
47.5% goes to the District Designated Fund.
5% goes toward operating expenses.
Contributions to the SHARE Annual Fund are allocated as follows:
47.5% goes to the World Fund.
47.5% goes to the District Designated Fund.
5% goes toward operating expenses.
The Foundation uses the Global Fund portion to finance grants and international programs available to all Rotary districts. Districts use the District-Designated Fund (DDF) portion to finance the Foundation grants and programs of their choice. The Rotary Foundation’s funding cycle provides that the DDF becomes available three years after contributions are received. This three-year period gives districts time to plan their projects and activities and allows the Foundation to invest the contributions. For example, 47.5% of the contributions received during the 2022–2023 fiscal year will be available for spending in 2025–2026. Each district’s Rotary Foundation committee decides how to use the DDF in consultation with the district’s clubs.
Districts may use up to 50 percent of the funds (which may also include available funds from donations to the SHARE Endowment Fund) for a district grant. Districts may use any amount from the District Development Fund for global grants or donations. Donation options include PolioPlus, peacebuilding programs, the Endowment Fund, the World Fund, the Disaster Relief Fund, or another district. At the end of each Rotary year, any DDF that has remained unused for more than five years will be allocated, at the district’s discretion, to the PolioPlus Fund, the Rotary Peace Centers, the Endowment Fund, the World Fund, or the Disaster Relief Fund. If a district does not notify the Foundation of the allocation of funds by June 30 of each year, any unused DDF will be transferred to the World Fund.
The District Designated Fund (DDF) enables districts to carry out the projects that matter most to Rotary members in their region. Contributions to the Annual Fund—SHARE—build up the DDF for the future. That is why clubs and districts must set and reassess their fundraising goals in Rotary Club Central to track and increase the financial resources available for Rotary Foundation grants and activities. In addition to SHARE, donors can direct their Annual Fund contributions to the Global Fund or to one of the Foundation’s areas of focus. Annual Fund contributions made to the World Fund or as per-member donations do not generate DDF. All Annual Fund contributions earn Foundation recognition points and count toward eligibility for the following recognition levels or programs: “Every Rotarian, Every Year”; Rotary Foundation Benefactor; Paul Harris Fellow; Paul Harris Society; Major Donor; and Arch Klumph Society. Contributions to the Annual Fund also count toward club recognition opportunities.
Contributions to the Annual Fund-SHARE are the primary source of funding for Foundation grants and are strongly encouraged.