For today’s Rotary Spotlight, PRESIDENT JIM reminded us that the Rotary theme for January is Rotary Awareness. He showed us the new Rotary Logo (it appears at the top of Ripples each week). 
He then explained that our club is associated with 4 foundations. Tax deductions are available for gifts to each of them.
The Rotary Foundation is set up so members (and non-members) can make contributions directly by using the Rotary website. Recognition is given by becoming a Paul Harris Fellow. The Rotary Foundation funds international project and offers matching grants for local projects.
The Lafayette Rotary Club Foundation is a separate corporation with it’s own board of directors made up of club members. It accepts pass through gifts only.
District 6560 Foundation is available for all clubs in the district to use as a pass through. JIM explained the difference between District and Global Grants and that The Rotary Foundation makes block grants to districts to distribute, which are then matched by the Rotary Foundation.
The Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette holds a designated endowment for the Lafayette Rotary Club Foundation. These funds are for local projects only and are based on recommendations from the club board.
The Lafayette Rotary Club Foundation passed a resolution requesting the Club to:
1. Explore increased reliance on the District Foundation and the Community Foundation.
2. Determine if other alternate means can be used to enhance the Club’s Foundation mission.
3. Explore potential effectiveness in the clubs structure and processes for carrying out local projects, including large ones.
All of this is to determine if these things can be done without any detriment in what we can accomplish locally or internationally. The additional factors are reduction in costs in both tax filing fees and volunteer time.
There were several good questions related to:
1. A timeline? No.
2. The Community Foundation disbursement policy is roughly 5% annually based on a 3 year trailing average.
3. By being associated with the Community Foundation we increased our corpus by $100,000 during their matching grant campaign.
4. Pass through means all funds are spent – not invested for the future.
In closing, JIM encouraged everyone to read the article in the newest Rotarian Magazine on Page 30 entitled “Think Before You Give”.
CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF TOM MORAN:
TERRY WEST celebrated TOM’S life by sharing his many activities and passion for giving. To read it, go here.