Wow! Foundation month was a lot of fun – and on behalf of the District Foundation team and me, thank you for your invitations to visit your clubs and share information about the Foundation. Y’all did a great job raising funds this month for The Rotary Foundation…rumor has it that one club raised $40,000 in November alone. Wow!

But no job is done until the paperwork is submitted. Take some time and fill out the proper forms to submit the money raised by your club so everyone gets credit before the end of the calendar year. Giving to the Rotary Foundation is a great tax deduction that does a lot of good in the world. While you are completing the paperwork, ask the club Treasurer to review the accounts to ensure all money collected is submitted. One club found several thousand dollars that had been donated by members, but never sent to the Foundation. Take a moment to ensure that you are processing your funds timely.

So far during this Rotary year we have added a new Arch Klumph Society member (a donation of over $250,000), 7 Major Donors (a donation of over $10,000) and 121 Paul Harris Fellows (a donation of over $1000). That is awesome! But it doesn’t mean we don’t need your donation. The money you give to the Annual Fund is what provides funding for District Grants, Global Scholarships and Global Grant funding matches. We need your support to keep doing the amazing projects we do every year. While overall giving has been great, giving to the Annual Fund is down. Right now we are at $38 per capita and 33 clubs haven’t sent in any funds at all this year.

Several clubs have already reported giving, so I want to take a minute to recognize them:

Top Giving Clubs (Annual Fund):

• Alpharetta: $18,656
• Marietta: $18,003
• Emory Druid Hills: $16,000

Top Giving Clubs per capita:

• Druid Hills: $1777.78
• Muscogee: $ 255.95
• Marietta: $ 180.03

So far, seven clubs have exceeded $100 per capita – the three listed above plus Alpharetta, Dunwoody, Harris County and Senoia. Congrats!!

Last month’s newsletter covered the grant work we have been doing and I noted that we had three finalists for Global Grant scholarships. They are:

• Kaitlin Sandor - sponsored by RC of Dunwoody - University of Auckland, New Zealand, Masters in Biological Medicine, focused on ALS and Alzheimer’s Disease
• Captain Sean Minton - sponsored by RC of Muscogee - King’s College, London, England, Masters in International Peace and Security, focus on policy-making and international relations
• Michael Keen - sponsored by RC of Buckhead - King’s College, London, England, Master’s in Conflict, Security and Development, focus on long-term peace building

All three are currently in the process of applying to their universities and taking next steps toward becoming Rotary Global Grant Scholars. These young people have incredible plans to make a marked difference in the world. In addition, you can read in this newsletter about what these global grant scholarships mean to three of our selections - two who have started school this year and one who is just completing her global scholar experience. Take time to celebrate the great potential in these investments. And think about whether you know anyone who would benefit from the program. We hope next year that your club nominates a Global Scholar. They receive a $30,000 scholarship to study overseas and then return to Georgia. Best of all, it doesn’t cost your club anything! Don’t miss out on this great opportunity.

And remember, The Rotary Foundation doesn’t end with Foundation month. Invite a member of the District Foundation team to speak to your club or schedule a Q&A with one of us. We are here to help your club achieve your wildest dreams!!