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Rotary Foundation of Rotary International

CharityWatch report issued
October 2021

Top-Rated Charity
A+
CharityWatch Grade
Our independent grade based
on a number of factors.
 
91%
Program Percentage
Amount spent on programs
relative to overhead.
 
$6
Cost to Raise $100
Amount spent to raise
$100 of contributions.

Contact Information

Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
1560 Sherman Ave.
Evanston, IL 60201

Other Names

None

Tax Status

501(c)3

Website

www.rotary.org

Stated Mission

To advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.

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Data based on Fiscal Year Ended 06/30/2020

Program Percentage: 91%

The percentage of Rotary Foundation of Rotary International's cash budget it spends on programs relative to overhead (fundraising, management, and general expenses).

$361,000,000

Calculated Total Expenses

(rounded)

 

Cost to Raise $100: $6

How many dollars Rotary Foundation of Rotary International spends on fundraising to raise each $100 of contributions.

$336,000,000

Calculated Total Contributions

(rounded)

Government Funding

0% to 24%

Percentage of cash revenue
coming from government sources

 

Financial Documents

Entity Document Type Tax ID
Rotary Foundation of Rotary International IRS Form 990 36-3245072
Rotary Foundation of Rotary International Audited Financial Statements 36-3245072
Entity: Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
Document Type: IRS Form 990
Tax ID: 36-3245072
Entity: Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
Document Type: Audited Financial Statements
Tax ID: 36-3245072

Governance & Transparency

CharityWatch evaluates certain criteria related to a charity's Governance and Transparency. Donors may want to consider a charity's willingness to be open and transparent with CharityWatch to be a good litmus test for determining its commitment to public accountability.
This charity is Top-Rated
What does it mean to be Top-Rated?
 
Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
meets governance benchmarks.
 
Rotary Foundation of Rotary International
meets transparency benchmarks.
Transparency
Provides Financial Information
Audit Accessibility
Governance: Policies
Reports regularly & consistently monitoring & enforcing compliance with a written Conflict of Interest Policy
Reports required, annual disclosure by officers, directors, and key staff of interests that could give rise to conflicts
Reports having a written Whistleblower Policy
Reports having a written Document Retention and Destruction Policy
Governance: Financials
Reports providing copy of tax form to all board members prior to filing it with IRS
Reports that financial statements were audited by an independent accountant
Governance: Board of Directors
Reports at least 5 voting board members
51% or more of voting board members reported as independent
Reports documenting minutes of board and board committee meetings
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy Opt-Out Policy  

  Name Title Compensation
1 John Hewko CEO $588,436
2 Eric Jones Chief Investment Officer $365,967
3 Michele Berg Deputy General Secretary $361,943
1
Name: John Hewko
Title: CEO
Compensation: $588,436
2
Name: Eric Jones
Title: Chief Investment Officer
Compensation: $365,967
3
Name: Michele Berg
Title: Deputy General Secretary
Compensation: $361,943

CharityWatch Analysts perform an in-depth analysis of charities' audited financial statements and IRS tax filings, and often review other documents such as state filings, annual reports, and fundraising contracts during their evaluations. Below are select notes that CharityWatch believes may be of interest to donors.

CharityWatch's rating of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is for the 501(c)(3) public charity entity (tax ID #36-3245072). The rating includes the financial activities of the Foundation's associate foundations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

The rating does not include the financial activities of the approximately 36,000 local Rotary Clubs located across the globe that are supported by Rotary Foundation grants or the financial activities of Rotary International (RI), the related 501(c)(4) tax-exempt, social welfare organization (tax ID #36-1707667). RI is a worldwide association of Rotary Clubs. CharityWatch does not provide a separate rating for Rotary International.

CharityWatch separates the ratings for 501(c)(3) & 501(c)(4) organizations, even if their financial activities are included together in a combined or consolidated audit, due to their differing tax treatments by the IRS. For more information on this topic, please see our sections on Types of Non-Profits, Tax Status, and Treatment of Related Organizations, which can be found on the Our Process page.

According to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International audit of June 30, 2020 (Note 9, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grant) [$s in thousands, as noted]:

"The Foundation has entered into grant agreements with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation ('BMGF') to support the global polio eradication initiative. In accordance with the grant agreements and all future addendums, the Foundation recognizes revenue when all contingencies to the grant are substantially met.

"Pursuant to the agreements, BMGF provides a 2 to 1 match for new spending from non-BMGF funds, with a match of up to $100,000 [thousand] per calendar year, in calendar years 2018–2023. The Foundation recorded a $100,000 [thousand] award as revenue in fiscal year 2020 and a $92,700 [thousand] award as revenue in fiscal year 2019."

According to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International audit of June 30, 2020 (Note 2 re: Risks and Uncertainties):

"The Foundation has invested cash and short-term investments, debt and equity securities, and alternative investments that are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market, and credit. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in risks in the near term would materially affect the amounts reported in the [audited] financial statements."


According to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International audit of June 30, 2020 (Note 2 re: Subsequent Events):

"The recent global outbreak of the coronavirus ('COVID-19') has caused significant volatility within the economic markets, for which the duration and spread of the outbreak and the resultant economic impact is uncertain and cannot be predicted."

According to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International tax filing for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020 regarding Highest Compensated Employees:

"The Rotary Foundation has a highest compensated employee at its office in Zurich, Switzerland, which is currently undisclosed due to potential infringement of local data privacy laws. Salaries for staff at the international offices are established in their local currency and translated to US dollars for reporting purposes, resulting in potentially large fluctuations in the US dollar reportable equivalent for compensation" (IRS Form 990, Schedule J, Part III).