Past President Bob Glindemann explained the structure and purpose of the Rotary Foundation, recognised as one of the world’s top charities for accountability and transparency.

He detailed the four major funds: 

1. Annual Fund – primary source for Rotary grants and projects.
2. Polio Plus Fund – dedicated to global polio eradication.
3. Endowment Fund – secures Rotary’s long-term future.
4. Disaster Response Fund – enables rapid humanitarian aid.

In 2023-24, the Foundation supported 1,770 projects worth US $108 million. Bob emphasised the seven Areas of Focus: promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water and sanitation, supporting education, saving mothers and children, growing local economies, and supporting the environment.

He illustrated Rotary impact with examples:

• The Polio Plus program nearing global eradication, boosted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s two-for-one matching.
• Clean water projects in the Philippines and East Timor.
• School furniture shipments to Timor-Leste, Samoa, Papua New Guinea, and Africa.
• A microfinance program in Timor-Leste that established 350 small businesses from an initial US $94,000 Rotary grant.

He concluded that ongoing support for the Foundation is essential to enable such transformative projects—like Growing Futures—to thrive.

Rai Matak Timor Lesté Trees.pdf

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