Milestones

2000

First Rotary World Peace Scholarship endowed

1999

10,000th Matching Grant awarded. Rotary centres for International Studies established. Children's Opportunities Grants established for one year, funding 1,584 projects

1998

Total contributions to Foundation since inception surpass US$1 billion

1996

Foundation contributors number one million.

1994

Western Hemisphere declared polio free. Permanent fund initiative begins.

1993

500 millionth child immunised against polio through Polio Plus.

1990

Carl P Miller Discovery Grants begin.

1985

Polio Plus program launched with aim of certifying polio eradication by 2005, Rotary's 100th anniversary.

1981

Rotary Endowment for World Understanding and Peace established.

1978

Health, Hunger and Humanity , 3-H, program created.

1965

Matching Grants and Group Study Exchange programs established.

1957

Paul Harris Fellow Recognition begins.

1947

RI founder Paul Harris dies. In his memory Rotarians worldwide give the Foundation more than US$1 million. First Foundation program launched, scholarships for 18 graduate students.

1930

First Rotary Foundation grant awarded US$500 to International Society for Crippled Children.

1928

The Rotary Foundation formally named, first trustees appointed.

1918

First Foundation contribution received, US$25.50 from the Rotary Club of Kansas City, Missouri, USA.

1917

The Rotary Foundation established as an endowment by RI President Arch Klumph.