What is Rotary
Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million people in more than 46,000 clubs across the world.
We are neighbours, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
We are neighbours, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
Rotary's history
Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves.
– Paul Harris, Rotary founder
Rotary started with the vision of one man — Paul Harris. The Chicago attorney formed the Rotary Club of Chicago on 23 February 1905 as an opportunity for professionals with diverse backgrounds to exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships.
Rotary’s name came from the group’s early practice of rotating meetings among the offices of each member.
Rotarians have not only been present for major events in history—we’ve been a part of them. From the beginning, three key traits have held strong:
- We’re truly international. Only 16 years after being founded, Rotary had clubs on six continents. Today we’re working together from around the globe, both digitally and in person, to solve some of our world’s most challenging problems.
- We persevere in tough times. During WWII, Rotary clubs in Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, and Japan were forced to disband. Despite the risks, many continued to meet informally and following the war’s end, Rotarians joined together to rebuild their clubs and their countries.
- Our commitment to service is ongoing. We began our fight against polio in 1979 with a project to immunise 6 million children in the Philippines. By 2012, only three countries remained polio-endemic—down from 125 in 1988. Today, we’ve reduced polio cases by 99.8 per cent since that first project.
Find out more about Rotary’s history here.
Rotary's causes
Rotarians believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues, including:

- Promoting peace
- Fighting disease
- Saving mothers and children
- Providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
- Supporting education
- Growing local economies
- Protecting the environment
Find out more about Rotary's causes here.
End Polio Now
For more than 35 years Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for good – and the end is in sight. Since 1979, Rotary has raised millions of dollars, immunised billions of children, and put polio eradication on the agenda of governments around the world.
Today, as a member of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, we are so close to reaching our goal. Three countries remain polio endemic, but we won’t stop until the disease is gone.
Find out more about how Rotary is helping end polio here.
Rotary clubs
Rotary clubs like ours bring together people from across generations who wish to create lasting change in the world, in their communities, and in themselves through service.
Joining a Rotary club is a great way to meet new, like-minded people; volunteer for worthy local, national and international causes; and develop skills like public speaking, project management and event planning.
Club members meet regularly to catch up and exchange ideas for creating positive change through a range of club events and activities.

It doesn’t stop there. Rotary’s global network makes it possible for members to connect with like-minded people anywhere in the world. You can experience a new culture, use your professional skills for a good cause, or simply share a hobby.
Interested in getting involved? Find out more about our club and consider becoming a member.
The Rotary Foundation
The Rotary Foundation transforms donations into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. Since it was founded more than 100 years ago, the Foundation has spent more than $4 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects.
You can find out more about the Rotary Foundation here.
Rotary Foundation grants
Rotary members contribute their skills, expertise, and resources to help solve some of the world’s toughest problems. Funding is often required to deliver these projects. Rotary Foundation grants are one avenue for Rotary clubs to bring service project ideas to life.
There are a number of different types of grants available. These include:
- District grants that fund small-scale, short-term activities that address needs in your community and communities abroad.
- Global grants that support large international activities with sustainable, measurable outcomes in Rotary's areas of focus.
- Disaster response grants that support relief and recovery efforts in areas that have been affected by natural disaster.
The Rotary Foundation has received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, an independent charity evaluator in the U.S., for more than 14 consecutive years. This is the highest possible rating and indicates that the Rotary Foundation adheres to best practices in the sector and executes its mission in a financially efficient way.