When we had the initial $100 Million Grant from the Gates Foundation, we were challenged to raise a matching $100 Million. This began in December 2007.
Reasoning was as follows: 1.2 Million Rotarians
$85 per Rotarian Worldwide
$100 per Rotarian USA
$35 per Rotarian per year USA
Then the Gates Foundation came back in January 2008 and made an additional grant for $255 Million, bring the total Gates Foundation Grant to $355 Million with the Rotary Foundation Trustees committing to match the Grant with $200 Million over a three (3) year period.
Using the same rational as above, this would have just doubled the contributions to support the challenge. This was not the ways or means that The Rotary Foundation Trustees saw the funds being raised. The thoughts were now to have more of a three pronged approach to the raising of the $200 Million through Rotary. Let’s look at the following:
- $50 Million - Major Gifts - Google, Mital Steel, etc.
- $50 Million - Fund Raisers – Clubs, Perlman Concert
- $100 Million – Rotarians, Especially new members that never had the opportunity to contribute in either of the other campaigns to raise funds for Polio and Rotarians that have a personal reason to see that Polio is eradicated from the face of the earth.
Now when we look at the $50 Million to be raised through fund raisers by the Clubs, let’s consider the following:
- There are 32,500 Rotary Clubs which would mean that each needs to raise $1,550 per Club or $525 per year for the three (3) year campaign, or just one fund raiser that makes the $1,550.
Therefore, if your Club has a membership of 20 members, the goal and support should look like the following:
20 Members @ $100 $2,000
1 Club Fund Raiser @ $1550 $1,550
Total to be raised $3,550
On an annual basis it would be $1,185 per year for the Club.
The District with 2,550 members should have a goal as follows:
2,550 @ $100 per Member $255,000
49 Club Fund Raisers @ $1,550 $79,950
Total District 7390 Goal $330,950
The results as of 2-1-2010 for the District is as follows:
Club Contributions $81,538
District Contributions $50,000
Total D7390 $131,538
District 7390 is at 40% of its Goal – which is on pace with our neighboring Districts. Due to the current economic situation in the world today, we must not allow our focus on our giving to the Foundation’s Annual Giving Fund to suffer or to come up short. It should be noted that the total contributions to the Polio Campaign is currently at $107 Million, better than half way to meeting the $200 Million challenge.
When you look at the current situation, some Clubs have done fund raisers, some have made individual contributions and some Clubs have simply budgeted to support the Polio campaign by sending in a single check. There are District activities that have raised funds and more in the works. The bottom line is to do SOMETHING rather than NOTHING. All contributions are gladly accepted to make this a Polio Free World for the Children.
Thanks for your support.
PDG Chuck Cenkner, D7390 Polio Chair
PS: Please do not forget that you can text POLIO – 90999 to contribute $5.00 to Eradicate Polio Now.
Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge Fundraising Ideas
Consider these ideas for creative fundraisers that have proven successful for clubs and districts:
Purple Pinkie Project: Millions of children in endemic countries know that a freshly painted purple pinkie means freedom from Polio. When local community members make a $1.00 contribution to PolioPlus, Rotary volunteers mark their pinkies with the same gentian violet used around the world on NIDs (National Immunization Days). The purple pinkie is a personal symbol of helping one child become free from Polio forever.
Celebrate a Big Day: Rather than exchanging gifts for a special occasion, request that friends and family make a contribution to Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge.
Raffles Big and Small: Raffle off a car, a seven-night cruise or four tickets to a local event such as a basketball game or a concert. Clubs can have a weekly raffle for local restaurants or area businesses.
Skip a Meal: At your Rotary Club meeting, opt to skip the meal and donate the cost to Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge.
Host Rotary Night: Arrange with your local ball clubs and host a Rotary Night at the ball game. Both major and minor league teams have pitched in to help Rotary “strike out Polio”. Auction off throwing out the first pitch. Set up a booth in the ball park with information on Rotary and Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge.
Organize a walk-a-thon, bike-a-thon or skate-a-thon: Find Rotarians, Rotarian Fellowships, athletic groups or other community members who want to participate and ask them to solicit pledges for miles or kilometers walked, pedaled or skated.
E-bay auction: Ask Rotarians, friends and family to clean their attics and basements of items (clothing, jewelry, furniture, housewares in good condition) they wish to give away. Collect the items and list them for auction on E-bay. Enlist the help of techno-savvy Rotaract and Interact clubs to take electronic photos of the items and post them on-line.
Plan a Special Event: dinner, golf tournament, festival, picnic, wine tasting, sports competition are just a few suggestions that could draw participation from Rotarians and other members of the community.
Create a special item for sale: CDs, cookbooks, ties, teddy bears, and mugs are just a few of the items that have been sold to raise funds for PolioPlus.
White elephant gift auction: after the holidays, ask club members to donate “white elephant” gifts that they do not want or need. Auction these items off at a club or district meeting to raise money for Polio!
Pennies for Polio: a great way to involve non-Rotarians in the district. Rotarians and their friends and families place coin-collection cans or boxes in local businesses, schools, and homes. All proceeds are combined and donated to Rotary’s $US 200 Million Challenge.
Movie Night: Work with local cinemas to organize a movie night where the proceeds, or part of the proceeds, from admission are donated to Polio. Publicize the event in the paper, on the radio and in all Rotary Clubs in the area and encourage family members, friends and non-Rotarians to attend.
Million Dollar Dinner: Arrange to have a dinner with a Rotary Senior Leader, local celebrity, or District Governor. Invite guests who are able to make a significant gift to Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge.
Fireside Chat: A local Rotarian invites other members from the District to his or her home for an update on Polio eradication and an opportunity to discuss making a major gift. This event may be hosted by a Rotary officer or a Major Donor.