The Paul Harris Society

Giving that transforms lives.

WORDS Avneet Kaur Bhasin. Rotary Foundation Donor Services Specialist.

It’s all set up online, it’s super easy. And though we don’t see it, we know it’s going to do good.”

In a world full of causes, The Rotary Foundation stands out – not just for what it does, but for how deeply it changes lives. From eradicating polio to empowering women, from building peace to providing clean water, the Foundation’s work touches every corner of the globe.

But behind every successful project is a donor who believed in the power of service – and gave.

The heart of giving: The Paul Harris Society

The Paul Harris Society (PHS) recognises individuals who commit to contributing US$1,000 or more each year to The Rotary Foundation. These aren’t just donors; they’re changemakers, fuelling projects that create lasting impact in Rotary’s seven Areas of Focus.

Since becoming an official recognition program in 2013-14, the society has grown to include more than 33,000 members worldwide. In 2024-25, PHS members contributed:

• US$31 million to the Annual Fund – more than 23 per cent of total donations
• US$44.5 million to the Foundation overall – 21.5 per cent of all contributions

These numbers are impressive, but the real story lies in the lives changed.

Stories that inspire

In Uganda, a Rotary-funded water project brought clean drinking water to a village for the first time. In India, women trained through a global grant launched their own businesses. In the Philippines, children in remote areas received polio vaccines thanks to Rotary’s relentless efforts.

And in your own club, international service projects are making a difference; whether it’s supporting education in the Pacific or providing medical aid in Southeast Asia.

I have chosen to support The Rotary Foundation as a PHS member because I care and appreciate the impactful and sustainable initiatives that make a positive difference in communities around the globe,” says Chris Teague, a PHS member from the Rotary Club of Goondiwindi, Qld.

Giving made simple with Rotary Direct

Joining the Paul Harris Society is easier than ever. Through Rotary Direct, Rotary’s recurring giving program, members and non-members can enrol online and choose a schedule that fits their lifestyle:

• US$50 per month
• US$250 per quarter
• US$1,000 per year

It’s fast, secure and automatic, so you can focus on the impact, not the paperwork. Exchange rates on a monthly basis can be checked at my.rotary.org/en/exchange-rates.

Stretch goals: Dream bigger, do more

Setting stretch goals, whether as individuals, clubs or districts, is key to growing our impact. Challenge your club to increase its number of PHS members. Set a goal to fund a new global grant. Inspire others by sharing your story of giving. Because when we aim higher, we achieve more – together.

Fundraising goals for The Rotary Foundation

What we can achieve through The Rotary Foundation depends on generous financial support, mainly from Rotary members.

This year, as we have done for the past two years, The Rotary Foundation trustees have set a giving goal of US$500 million. In detail, this goal breaks down to:

• $150 million to the Annual Fund
• $150 million in contributions to the PolioPlus Fund (this includes $35 million in cash and $15 million in District Designated Funds and World Fund match, generating a match of $100 million from the Gates Foundation)
• $140 million in outright contributions and future commitments to the Endowment Fund
• $60 million in outright contributions for other purposes (such as the Donor Advised Fund, the Disaster Response Fund and global grants)

When we unite through Rotary, there’s no limit to the good we can do in the world.

Ready to make a difference?

Becoming a Paul Harris Society member is more than a financial commitment, it’s a pledge to be part of something bigger. Something global. Something life changing.

Join today through Rotary Direct (my.rotary.org/en/rotary-direct) and help build a better world, one story at a time.