The Rotary Foundation of Philadelphia Highlights the Enduring Generosity of Rotarians Past and Present

By Jay Pennie

For more than 100 years, the Rotary Club of Philadelphia members have been known for their hands-on service projects from volunteering to prepare meals for people with medical conditions to purchasing and distributing books to schools in need. 

Lesser known is the outreach work of Rotary Foundation of Philadelphia, which is supported and operated by our members. Established years ago by generous and visionary club members, the foundation grants approximately $30,000 each year to organizations in need, both locally and internationally. 

What separates this foundation from others? 

Mainly, we use our members’ knowledge of local and international matters to identify areas of need, and together work to improve that community. Using the same knowledge and connections, along with a passion for doing good, the foundation provides financial support to nonprofit organizations through its grant program.  

As I think back over this past year, there are dozens of reasons that I’m proud to be a member of the Rotary Club of Philadelphia. Today, I’m highlighting just 15 of them.

In the local community our efforts help to: 

• Provide mental health services for women in crisis situations who are experiencing severe domestic violence and the resulting trauma through Women in Transition’s Therapeutic Services Program. 

• Fund a much-needed home repair project for a Philadelphia family who lives below the poverty level through Habitat for Humanity’s remarkable Home Repair Program.

• Support Musicopia’s award-winning after-school percussion program for high school students at risk of academic failure by developing their musical skills, self-confidence, and a creating a desire to graduate. 

• Provide college preparation to economically disadvantaged high school students through Brighter Horizon Foundation’s program that opens opportunities through academic achievement, mentoring, college preparation, and financial aid, with the goal of ending a cycle of poverty.  

• Start a food pantry with student volunteers at Liguori Academy, an amazing high school located in the Kensington section of Philadelphia, which lies within the congressional district as having one of the highest poverty rates in the country.

• Fully fund four high school students, two each from West Catholic and Liguori Academy for a life-changing experience at the Rotary Youth Leadership Award weekend with over 100 other Philadelphia area students where they developed leadership, communication, problem-solving, and conflict management skills.   

• Purchase book bags and school supplies for students through West Philly’s Conquerors Community Development Corporation’s distribution program for families living in poverty. 

• Teach children to read through a Reading Allowed’s certified after-school literacy program for struggling readers in North Philadelphia.  

• Purchase clothing and toiletries for veterans who are undergoing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder at the VA Medical Center in Philadelphia through the Independence Hall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution’s program     

• Provide free mental health services to low-income families through the LiveWell Foundation’s community programs. 

• Set up an emergency food bank at S. Weir Mitchell Elementary School in Southwest Philly. 

In the international community, we helped to:

• Provide rheumatology care through Rheumatology for All’s program that trained local doctors in Rwanda where there is only limited treatment for diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, gout, and osteoarthritis. The program greatly improves the mortality rate and the lives of their citizens.  

• Construct a water tower in Indoinyo, Kenya through the nonprofit Ekenywa’s program that provides clean and safe water for their residents. 

• Complete a sanitation block for the Gituri Primary School in Embu County, Kenya through the Rotary Club of Embu to provide clean, running water for proper sanitation and prevent diseases. 

• Support for Rotaplast, for a medical mission to help children born with facial and palate deformities live a normal life. Teams of volunteers comprised of Rotarians, surgeons, and nurses take part in medical missions every year throughout the world.

We also received a big boost this year with a gift of $20,000 from Wayne Hughes. Wayne’s father, Eugene, who passed away recently, had been a long-time member of the Rotary Club of Philadelphia. 

The kindness and generosity of Rotarians and their families around the world never ceases to amaze me. If you are a Rotarian, I hope you are proud too! If you are not yet a member, contact us to join.

Find out how you can become a member of the Rotary Club of Philadelphia or make a donation to the Philadelphia Rotary Foundation.