The Rotary Foundation's mission is to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace. Rotary Foundation grants promote peace, fight disease, provide clean water and sanitation, sustain mothers and children, improve education, and strengthen local economies. The Foundation is a worldwide leader in the efforts to eradicate polio through its partnership in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). Since 1988, Rotary and its partners in the GPEI have immunized over 3 billion children, reducing the incidence of polio by 99.9 percent and eradicating it from all but two countries. Rotary has contributed more than $2.1 billion and thousands of volunteer hours to eradication efforts. The Foundation also funds training of peacemakers through the Rotary Peace Center program. Most recently, Rotary's Disaster Response Grants are making it possible for Rotary members to respond effectively to local recovery efforts as they unfold, and COVID-19 was recently added as an eligible activity.
