"How many of you did not have food on Thanksgiving?  How many of you have gone without food this year?" Ellen McFarlane started her presentation on the Rotary Foundation and the significance of this season of giving.  
 
At the 1917 convention, outgoing RI President Arch C. Klumph propsed to set up an endowment for the purpose of doing good in the World.  In 1928, it was renamed The Rotary Foundation, and it became a distinct entity within Rotary International.  In 1929, the Foundation made its first gift of $500 to the International Society for Crippled Children.  The organization, created by Rotarian Edgar F "Daddy" Allen, later grew into Easter Seals.  When Rotary Founder Paul Harris died in 1947, contributions began pouring in to the Rotary International, and the Paul Harris Memorial fund was created to build the foundation.
 
Evolution of Foundation Programs
In 1947, the Foundation established its first program, Fellowships for Advance Study, later known as Ambassadorial Scholarships.  In 1965-66, the programs Group Study Exchange, Awards for Technical Training and Grants for Activities in Keeping with the Objective of the Rotary Foundation, were all launched. 
 
1978 saw the introduction of the Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants.  The first 3-H grant funded a project to immunize 6 million Philippine children against polio.  The PolioPlus program was launched in 1985 with the goal of eradicating Polio.
 
1987-88 brought about the very first peace forums, leading to the Rotary Peace Fellowships.  In 2013, new district, global and packaged grnts enable Rotarians around the world to respond to the world's greatest needs.
 
Since the first donation of $26.50 in 1917, the Foundation has received contributions totaling more than $1 billion.
 
Thiensville-Mequon Rotarians are highly encouraged to establish recurring or one-time donations to the Rotary Foundation via Rotary.Org.  Donations can be auto-deducted from one's bank account or credit card.  
 
Rotary Foundation's areas of focus include:  Promoting Peace; Fighting Disease; Providing Clean Water; Saving Mothers and Children; Supporting Education and Growing Local Economies.