The Rotary Foundation
The Rotary Foundation, Rotary's corporate charity, is dedicated to furthering international understanding, goodwill and peace. The Foundation administers many programmes to aid the needy and deserving. One of these programmes is the 3-H fund which seeks to alleviate problems of the disadvantaged throughout the world under the headings of Health, Hunger and Humanity. The projects supported under this programme are usually beyond the capability of a single club or group of clubs to support.
The Foundation's most ambitious project so far has been PolioPlus, a campaign to help the World Health Organisation and UNICEF immunizes the world's children against polio, measles, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus and tuberculosis. PolioPlus raised over $400 million of which Rotary clubs in Great Britain and Ireland contributed £8 million.
The fund also provides grants, educational scholarships and opportunities for young people, but not Rotarians or their close relatives, to visit and study in other countries.
Rotaract and Interact
Rotary International has created for young people two organizations dedicated to service and international understanding. Though closely associated with Rotary, their clubs are independent and self-governing.
Interact a combination of the words international and action, is for young people between 14 and 18.
Rotaract is for men and women between 18 and 30.
These clubs serve the community. Through fellowship they run a range of local, national and international service projects with the energy and enthusiasm of youth.
Rotary International and RIBI
Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI), with its own governing body and constitution, is a territorial unit of Rotary International, the association of Rotary clubs worldwide. It administers 29 Rotary districts in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Rotary ideal of fellowship and international understanding is exemplified by the fact that a single Rotary district covers the whole of Ireland. This district with its single organisation is a working model of the Rotary spirit in action.