How Rotary International Works

Whether we’re working to eradicate polio in India or providing clean water to schools in Mozambique, our impact is funded by three sources—our members, outside donors, and market investments. This funding is vital to the lasting change we’re creating in communities all over the world.

We are responsible leaders

Responsible leadership means being both efficient and trustworthy with our donations. We’re committed to making the most out of every dollar we receive—that’s why we use nearly 90% of our funding for program expenses in an industry where the average is only 65%.

Breakdown of Spending

Pie Chart

This commitment has earned us some of the highest ratings among the charity evaluators:

Water Filter Sponsorship Form American Institute of Philanthropy: A+

Water Filter Sponsorship Form BBB: Meets the Wise Giving Alliance Standards

What we do with our donations

Each year, gifts to the Rotary Foundation fund thousands of projects around the globe. Here are a few examples from 2011–12:

$102.8 million spent on fighting polio in areas including India, which marked its first polio-free year
$2 million raised by Korean Rotary members to build a maternal and child health complex in Tanzania, serving an area of more than a million people
$40,000 spent to provide safe drinking water, sanitation and facilities, and training in India

Our support is worldwide

10 Top Annual Giving Countries and Geographical Areas

Rotary Map
2011-12 Total Contributions US$ (thousands) (includes flow-through contributions)

2011-12 Annual Giving per Rotarian US$

*Excludes $10 million grant for polio eradication received from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a U.S. organization.

Our commitment to transparency

Being financially responsible means having nothing to hide. Annual Reports are published on the Rotary International website HERE.