Donation From Community Foundation Fund Receives Matching Grant From Gates Foundation

July 16, 2008: Wasting no time, the Rotary Club of Carroll Creek immediately responded to District Governor Bette Lewis’ challenge for every Rotary club in District 7620 (which includes clubs from Frederick, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and Washington, DC) to contribute $1,000 toward the matching grant provided by the Gates Foundation through a donation from its Rotary Club of Carroll Creek Pass Through Fund held by The Community Foundation of Frederick County.

In November of 2007, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced that it would contribute $100 million toward the fight to end polio world-wide. According to Rotary International, Rotary will raise funds to match the contribution, dollar-for-dollar, over three years. The initial $100 million will be spent within one year in direct support of immunization activities carried out by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a partnership spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UNICEF.

As stated in a Rotary International Press Release describing the donation, Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said, "The extraordinary dedication of Rotary members has played a critical role in bringing polio to the brink of eradication. Eradicating polio will be one of the most significant public health accomplishments in history, and we are committed to helping reach that goal." 

The polio eradication grant is one of the largest challenge grants ever given by the Gates Foundation and the largest grant received by Rotary in its 102-year history. Polio eradication has been Rotary’s top priority since 1985. Since then, Rotary has contributed $633 million to the eradication effort.

The donation from The Rotary Club of Carroll Creek Pass Through Fund was made possible, in part, through club-sponsored events such as the annual Paul Harris Awards Dinner, Raffle Royale “fun”-raiser and member derived donations. Rotary Club of Carroll Creek President, Wally Olson, describes the gift as one means for the local community to participate in the “International” part of Rotary International. “Since 1985, Rotary has been committed to the goal of eradicating polio in our world. We are 99 percent there, with only four countries to go. This big push effort by the Gates Foundation and Rotary Clubs like ours can ensure that we see the end of polio in our lifetime,” he remarked, explaining why the Club made the contribution from its Community Foundation fund so quickly and enthusiastically.

Founded in Chicago in 1905, Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. Rotary’s global membership is approximately 1.2 million men and women who belong to more than 33,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Frederick County boasts three Clubs and 450 members. For more information, visit www.Rotary.org or www.CarrollCreekRotary.org.

Since 1986, The Community Foundation of Frederick County has provided more than $17 million in scholarships to area students who might otherwise not be able to attend college or trade school and grants to area nonprofits serving a variety of community needs. This tremendous accomplishment is a direct result of generous donors who touch the future with each donation, leaving a legacy of positive impact and lasting change. To donate to The Rotary Club of Carroll Creek Pass Through Fund, or any of the Community Foundation’s 600+ funds, click here.