Posted by Mark Daniel Maloney, Chair of the Trustees , Rotary Foundation 2024-25

In the Chair of the Trustees of The Rotary Foundation (and Rotary International Past President) Mark Daniel Maloney's September  2024 Newsletter, Mark talks about the Rotary Foundation Endowment that will leave behind a legacy and further the work of future generations of Rotary members. Mark says, "No single club or district alone will achieve our goal of fortifying The Rotary Foundation Endowment to $2.025 billion by 2025. Not all of us can give $25,000 now or as part of an estate plan. But I also know many of us can. Please help us reach that Endowment goal and in doing so leave behind a legacy and further the work of future generations of Rotary members ".   .......

A LEGACY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

Dear Rotarians, Rotaractors and friends of Rotary,

"The great use of a life," wrote American philosopher William James in 1900, "is to spend it for something that outlasts it."

Some leave a legacy through family and friendships, others through faith or principles, and still others through their professions. The Rotary Foundation offers another powerful option.

As a believer in the power of passing down a legacy through The Rotary Foundation Endowment, I was humbled that my wife, Gay, and I were able recently to help others in Rotary leave their legacy.

Our district (6860 in northern Alabama) had never organized a fundraising dinner focused on the Foundation’s Endowment before, but we knew it was time. We called it a legacy dinner, emphasizing giving’s long-term impact.

Progress was slow at first, and there were skeptics who doubted we could raise $1 million, our initial goal. However, we remained optimistic, setting a date for 23 February 2024, Rotary’s anniversary.

During this campaign, committee members traveled throughout northern Alabama, meeting with small groups in fireside chats about contributing to the Endowment. Then, significant gifts began coming in. One Rotarian made a $25,000 commitment, handing over a check for $10,000. Soon, other members followed suit, and we had more than $200,000 in gifts and commitments.

We still had far to go but if there is one thing I know about Rotary, it is this: If you present the opportunity to members, they will respond. Topping off the district’s generosity were two surprises. One was a bequest commitment of $500,000, and then another of $560,000.

By the end of the campaign, our committee had exceeded our greatest expectations: We had raised $2,729,863.14 for the Endowment, nearly triple our goal. The impact of those gifts will create a legacy that will keep on giving forever.

No single club or district alone will achieve our goal of fortifying The Rotary Foundation Endowment to $2.025 billion by 2025. Not all of us can give $25,000 now or as part of an estate plan. But I also know many of us can.

Please help us reach that Endowment goal and in doing so leave behind a legacy and further the work of future generations of Rotary members by visiting rotary.org/legacy. On behalf of the Foundation Trustees, I am grateful for your Rotary legacy.

 

MARK DANIEL MALONEY 

Rotary Foundation trustee chair