The Rotary Foundation

Polio eradication is Rotary’s top philanthropic priority. In 1985, Rotary International promised the children of the world that they would eradicate Polio from the planet. In 1988, when Rotary began working with its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, there were more than 350,000 polio cases in over 125 countries. Since then, more than 3 billion children have been immunized against polio, and the incidence of polio has decreased 99.9%. Rotary International is the spearheading member of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and is the largest private sector donor.  It has contributed more than US$600 million to the polio eradication activities in 122 countries. In addition, tens of thousands of Rotarians have partnered with their national ministries of health, UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and with health providers at the grassroots level in thousands of communities. We were joined by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation who currently match every dollar given by Rotarians with $2.00 US to eradicate Polio. 

By the time the world is certified polio-free, Rotary’s contributions to the global eradication effort will exceed $3.1 billion, including $1.6 billion in matching funds from the Gates Foundation.

PolioPlus Society: In 2022 our District added the PolioPlus Society to our giving structure. Rotarians pledge to help Rotary make history by continuing to contribute a minimum of $100 each year until the World Health Organization certifies that polio has been fully eradicated; because until the world is polio-free, every child is at risk.  You can join this fight by filling out this PolioPlus Society FORM.