Adrian Rotary Foundation Update

Our own Mark Murray brought members up to speed on this hugely successful, long running program of the Noon Rotary Club. Mark began by finding out how much members really knew about the foundation. Did you know that: the foundation has been around since 1961? That a recent fund raiser brought in $50,000? That the highest level of recognition within the foundation is the Frank Dick Fellow ($5,000+ contributions)? That the next highest level is the Ken Roof Fellow ($2,500+)? And, that below that is the Adrian Rotary Foundation Fellow (gifts of $1,000+)?

The Boys and Girls Club is an example of a major project funded by this foundation for a period of 5 years. It merged forces, as you may recall, with the local Big Brother, Big Sister organization. Other projects supported by the foundation, Mark pointed out include: Croswell School, Y.M.C.A. Building Fund, Bixby Hospital, Bohn Pool, purchase of 1/2 of the Adrian Portable Band Stand, equipment at Island Park, Adrian Community Nursery, East Adrian Tot Lot, 4-H, LARC Activity Program, etc.

Allen Slater told the audience that the money contributed to the foundation stays local. It enables us to do things that otherwise the club would not be able to do (outside the normal budget) - big, expensive things and at a "moment's notice". The corpus, Allen said, is protected. The club receives 5% of the total amount each year to do with at the discretion of the club's board of directors.

The foundation is a 501(c)3 and is a separate entity form the Adrian Rotary Club. When you write a check specifically to the ARF, it is tax deductible. The board of the ARF has two primary responsibilities: (1) "fiduciary" - for the purpose of making sure that the money is properly accounted for and (2) to raise funds for the foundation for the club's use.

There are several way to contribute to the foundation: (1) a contribution can be made at the time you pay your dues, (2) when a club member has passed away and members would like to make a memorial contribution to the foundation in their memory, (3) by including a donation in your estate plans that would pass to the foundation upon your demise.

Mark announced an anonymous challenge gift of $2,500 the foundation has received stipulating that for every gift by a member up to $100, it will be matched by the challenge gift! The contributor will, however, be given credit for twice their donation towards the fellow level they want to achieve! Only the ARF board members are exempt from the challenge gift since they are expected to give anyway, Mark said. You can make checks payable to "Adrian Rotary Foundation".  PO Box 1119, Adrian, MI  49221.

Tom Boldt mentioned that over years ago a decision was made to separate the foundation into two components: One is a Scholarship Fund and the other is the General Fund which is used to reimburse the club for the gift/programs they wish to fund. Tom reported that as of 12/31/12 there was $22,869 in the Scholarship Fund and $275,000 in the General Fund. Relative to the 5% that is given to the club, there is still $43,000 available to the club to spend. Gleaners is the investment vehicle for the ARF funds. Mark thanked them for the work they've done to insure a great return on this investment.

Mark closed by thanking the ARF board for their service and encouraging all members to review their club directory to see all of the things we are able to accomplish as a club thanks to the generous donations from its members that allow our club to make huge differences in this community!