FUTURE VISION PLAN OF TRF

In anticipation of The Rotary Foundation’s 100-year anniversary in 2017, the Trustees set out in 2005 to develop a 10-year vision with a three-year plan to move the Foundation toward its second century of service. This vision and plan reflect input from a wide variety of stakeholders through interviews, surveys, focus groups, and input sessions and include a comprehensive approach for setting goals and a roadmap for successful execution.

A vision was developed for the Foundation – Enabling Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace – which became the basis for the

Foundation’s new mission statement:
The mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.

The Foundation’s new mission and vision, along with its

new motto –
Doing Good in the World –
were approved by the Foundation Trustees and the RI Board and endorsed by the Council on Legislation.


The Future Vision Plan is designed to

1. Simplify Foundation programs and processes consistent with the mission

2. Focus Rotarian service efforts where they will have the greatest impact by addressing priority world needs that are relevant to Rotarians

3. Offer program options to help achieve both global and local goals
   Increase the sense of ownership at the district and club levels by transferring more decisions to the districts

4. Gain greater understanding of The Rotary Foundation’s work and enhance Rotary’s public image

With a goal of full implementation by 2013-14, the Future Vision Plan offers new models for

• Grants structure

• Strategic partnerships

• Distributable funds

Grants structure

Under the new grants structure model, the Foundation will provide two types of grants:

1. Rotary Foundation District Grants
   allow clubs and districts to support their specific service interests and address immediate needs in their communities and abroad. Provided as block grants to districts, these grants are modeled after the current District Simplified Grants program. Districts will be able to use up to 50 percent of their District Designated Fund to support these grants.
    

2. Rotary Foundation Global Grants
   offer opportunities to participate in more strategically focused, sustainable activities with greater support from the Foundation. These grants will fund larger projects with sustainable, high-impact outcomes in one of six area of focus corresponding to the Foundation’s mission:
   
   o Peace and conflict prevention/resolution
   o Disease prevention and treatment
   o Water and sanitation
   o Maternal and child health
   o Basic education and literacy
   o Economic and community development
   
   Clubs and districts can either create their own global grant projects in the areas of focus or sponsor packaged grants developed by The Rotary Foundation in conjunction with its strategic partners.
    

Strategic partnerships

The Rotary Foundation will form strategic partnerships with organizations that specialize in one of the strategic areas of focus. These organizations would provide financial support, technical expertise, and/or advocacy efforts in projects and activities that are designed jointly with the Foundation and include Rotarian participation. In addition to increasing the impact of Foundation grants, these relationships will offer opportunities to achieve greater recognition of Rotary’s work.


Distributable funds

A distributable funds model is designed to simplify the funding process.

Rotary Foundation District Grants will be funded by a percentage of District Designated Fund (DDF) provided as a block grant. During the three-year pilot, districts may use up to 50 percent of their available DDF to support smaller local and international projects and broadened activities.

Rotary Foundation Global Grants will provide a World Fund match for club- and district-designed educational and humanitarian grant projects; package grant projects will be funded through a competitive process by the World Fund, Foundation earned income, and contributions from strategic partners. Designed to achieve the most effective and strategic use of Foundation resources in reaching sustainable outcomes, the package grant projects will not require club and district financial support.


Implementation
The Future Vision Plan will be implemented in stages.

In 2008-09, the Trustees will select approximately 100 districts to participate in a pilot that will run 2010-13.

In selecting the pilot participants, the Trustees will attempt to compose a representative group in terms of location, size, effectiveness, and level of involvement with the Foundation.

The remaining districts will continue to use the current programs and grants processes until global implementation of the new grant structure in 2013.

Compiled by
AG Rtn Vishnu Dhandhania, DGSC



Future Vision FAQ


Why is The Rotary Foundation changing its grant-making model?
The Foundation has made only slight modifications to its programs since its inception in 1917. As we prepare for the next century of service, the Foundation has updated its mission and created a more effective and efficient way to help Rotarians develop diverse projects with greater impact and sustainable outcomes.

How will the new model work?
The Foundation will offer two types of grants:

1) Rotary Foundation District Grants are block grants made to districts to support smaller projects, both locally and internationally. Districts may use up to 50 percent of their available District Designated Fund (DDF) for these grants in a given Rotary year and administers the grant without the Foundation’s involvement.

2) Rotary Foundation Global Grants support larger projects with sustainable, high-impact outcomes in one of the six areas of focus. These grants would be administered by the Foundation in a manner similar to the current system.

a. Clubs and districts can create their own global grant projects, which are funded by the sponsors and a matching World Fund award.

b. The Foundation will develop packaged global grants with its strategic partners. The World Fund and the strategic partner provide 100 percent of the funding, and Rotarians implement the grant project.

What are the areas of focus for global grants?
There are six areas of focus for Rotary Foundation Global Grants:

Peace and conflict prevention/resolution
Disease prevention and treatment
Water and sanitation
Maternal and child health
Basic education and literacy
Economic and community development
How are organizations selected for strategic partnerships?
The Rotary Foundation will make selections based on the organization’s ability to help clubs and districts implement projects in the areas of focus through technical expertise, financial support, and/or advocacy.

Where do educational programs fit into the new model?
The Rotary Centers for International Studies program – and the US$95 million major gifts initiative to permanently fund Rotary World Peace Fellowships – will not change. Activities in this program clearly support the peace and conflict prevention/resolution area of focus .

Eligible activities currently supported through the Foundation’s other educational programs, such as Group Study Exchange teams and Ambassadorial Scholars , will exist under both grant types.

If the GSE team members’ vocation or a scholar’s academic field relates to an area of focus, the activity may be eligible for a Rotary Foundation Global Grant. Districts can use Rotary Foundation District Grants to support educational activities that don’t fall within the areas of focus.

How will the new model affect PolioPlus?
As Rotary International’s corporate program, PolioPlus is the organization’s top priority and will continue to operate as usual until polio is eradicated.

Will the new model continue to support activities currently covered by Volunteer Service Grants?
Yes. Individuals will be able to participate in these kinds of activities with funding from Rotary Foundation District Grants.

Will the World Fund continue to support smaller projects?
The Trustees established a minimum award amount of US$15,000 for global grants. Smaller projects can be funded through the district grants. Clubs and districts are encouraged to work together to implement larger projects that meet the minimum award amount and will have a more long-term and sustainable impact on the community.

Will the Foundation continue to match club and district financial contributions?
Yes. Global grants will offer a 100 percent World Fund match to DDF and a 50 percent World Fund match to “flow-through” cash contributions (cash gifts made to the Foundation but not through the Annual Programs Fund).

When can my district apply to participate in the Future Vision Pilot?
The Foundation will accept online applications from February to June 2009. Check www.rotary.org/FutureVision for updates on the pilot.

When will the pilot begin?
The three-year pilot will begin on 1 July 2010.

How are pilot districts selected?
The Foundation will select a representative group of districts in terms of size, location, level of Foundation activity, and effectiveness in stewardship, grant reporting, and other district operations.

When will I find out whether my district is selected?
A notification about the selections will be sent on 1 July 2009 to all districts that apply.

Will pilot districts receive any training?
Yes. Training for pilot districts will be incorporated into Rotary's standard training cycle. All pilot district governors-elect and district Rotary Foundation committee chairs must attend a centralized training session in early calendar year 2010 at the Foundation’s expense. As part of the training, each district will receive information about how to become qualified to receive grant funding.

Can clubs apply to participate in the pilot?
No. Only districts can submit an application. However, the district must have the approval of two-thirds of its member clubs before applying to participate.

How can my club or district fund an activity outside the areas of focus?
Eligible activities that don’t fall into one of the areas of focus can be funded through a Rotary Foundation District Grant.

Can clubs in pilot districts submit applications for current Foundation programs?
No. All pilot districts and their clubs must be fully committed to the new grant structure and cannot participate in Matching Grants or any other current program, with the exception of PolioPlus and Rotary Centers for International Studies.

Can clubs in pilot districts use global grants to partner with clubs in nonpilot districts?
Global grant use is restricted to pilot clubs and districts only. District grant funds can be used within or outside the piloting districts.

Can pilot clubs and districts partner with non-strategic-partnership organizations?
Yes. Clubs and districts are encouraged to continue developing cooperative relationships with local organizations to implement district grant projects and club- and district-developed global grants.

What if my district has open grants when the pilot begins?
Foundation staff will help your district meet all reporting requirements of the current grants so that the grants can be closed out successfully.

If my district isn’t selected, can we reapply the following year?
No. The pilot application and selection process is one-time only. No districts will be added to the pilot after it has begun. Both pilot and nonpilot districts will be encouraged to begin supporting grant activities that relate to the areas of focus.

How will my district be affected if we don’t participate in the pilot?
Your district will continue to operate under the current grant structure until the new grant model is implemented globally in 2013-14. Some current Foundation programs and grant types may be phased out during this period to accommodate the needed resources for the pilot. Districts not selected for the pilot will be updated on the progress of the pilot and will begin training on the new grant-making model in 2012-13 to make the transition in July 2013.

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