Our Foundation

The Ann Arbor Rotary Foundation (“Foundation”) is a charitable organization established by the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor (“Club”). As a public charity, the Foundation qualifies as a 501(c)(3) organization under the IRS rules, so that all contributions are tax-deductible. Under the management of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, the Foundation’s assets reached $2,000,000 in 2017. The Foundation’s primary purpose is to contribute to funding for an annual distribution for the Club’s support of nonprofit community organizations and charitable activities and projects. In recent years, grants have been made to local community nonprofit organizations with an emphasis on improving the quality of life for young people, college scholarships, and international projects. The by-laws of the Foundation can be found here.

The Foundation assets are held in a permanent fund. Allocations are made from only a portion of the overall annual interest, dividends, and growth, and therefore the permanent fund is expected to grow and keep pace with inflation. The Foundation’s investment policy can be found here. The Fund is managed and invested by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, who volunteer their special expertise. The Club’s Board of Directors approves all allocations.

Bequests and contributions become a legacy that serves the community for generations to come. The Foundation Trustees suggest unrestricted gifts and bequests so they can be used for the greatest charitable need. To provide recognition for the generosity of donors who make significant gifts or bequest commitments to the Foundation, the Club’s Board of Directors and Trustees established three categories of acknowledgement: the Legacy Circle, Benefactors Assembly and Sustainers Society.

Legacy Circle

The Legacy Circle recognizes donors of cumulative gifts totaling $25,000 or more and/or those donors who notify the Trustees that his/her Will or Trust includes a gift to the Foundation of at least $25,000. Legacy Circle donors are recognized and inducted into the Legacy Circle at a Club meeting and, with permission, identified as a Legacy Circle member in the Club publications and on our website. Any donor wishing to remain anonymous may do so.

Benefactors Assembly

The Benefactors Assembly acknowledges cumulative giving of $10,000 or more and/or those donors who notify the Trustees that his/her Will or Trust includes a gift to the Foundation of at least $10,000. Benefactors Assembly donors are recognized at a Club meeting and, with permission, identified as a Benefactors Assembly member in the Club publications and on our website. Any donor wishing to remain anonymous may do so.

Sustainers Society

The Sustainers Society acknowledges cumulative giving of $1,000 or more and/or those donors who notify the Trustees that his/her Will or Trust includes a gift to the Foundation of at least $1,000. Sustainers Society donors are recognized at a Club meeting and, with permission, identified as a Sustainers Society member in the Club publications and on our website. Any donor wishing to remain anonymous may do so.

 

​​How to donate to the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor Foundation

You can make a donation by filling out the form below. Once we receive the form, we will bill you.

Yes, I want to support the Ann Arbor Rotary Foundation through an outright cash gift, donation of appreciated securities, or as part of a Required Minimum Distribution from an IRA.
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I would like to include the Ann Arbor Rotary Foundation in my estate plans by designating the Foundation as a beneficiary of my:
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Address

Alternately, you can mail donations to the Ann Arbor Rotary Foundation. Our mailing address is:

Rotary Club of Ann Arbor
P.O. Box 131217
Ann Arbor MI 48113-1217

Planned giving information can be found here.

You can also download our Rotary Foundation brochure and fill out the form in the brochure. The form may either be printed, filled out by hand, and sent to the address above OR filled out on your computer, saved, and sent via email to administrator@a2rotary.org.


Ann Arbor Rotary Foundation Trustees (2022-23)

  • Joyce Hunter, Chair, President
  • Dawn Johnson, Chair Elect, President Elect
  • Mark Forster, Immediate Past President
  • Claire Foley, Secretary
  • William McPherson, Treasurer
  • (open), Chair, Investment Subcommittee

Documents:
Ann Arbor Rotary Foundation ByLaws (last updated December 2023)
Investment Policy Statement (last updated November 2023)
Ann Arbor Rotary Foundation Tri-fold Brochure
Rotary-Foundation-Brochure_fillable form_LH_11MAR2019
Ann Arbor Rotary Planned Giving Intention Form (last updated 24 Jan 2019)


Quarterly Report (September 30,2024)

The Ann Arbor Rotary Foundation is completely separate from The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. The monies from our club’s foundation make a significant contribution to the local community and beyond.

As of Sept. 30, 2024, our Foundation’s total permanent assets were as follows (see chart below):

Bar chart showing RCAA Foundation’s assets over the past five years.
As of September 30, 2024, the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor Foundation had total permanent assets of more than  $3M.

Investment strategy

The Fund’s investment policy requires it to invest in publicly traded, broadly diversified mutual funds so as to obtain a total rate of return in excess of an established benchmark.

This benchmark utilizes market indices that are weighted according to the Fund’s target asset allocation, approximately 85% stocks and 15% bonds.

The Foundation’s total return for the last quarter was 6.74%.

Bar chart showing annualized total returns for the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor Foundation.
Annualized returns for the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor Foundation as of September 30, 2024.

Spending policy

The Foundation’s spending policy requires it to distribute 4.25% of the assets each year, based on the average market value for the preceding 20 quarters.

As a result of contributions to the Foundation, as well as good investment results, the distribution amount to the “community” is as follows (see chart below):

Bar chart showing how much money the RCAA Foundation has contibuted to “community” projects since 2005.
In fiscal year 2024 (ending June 30, 2024), the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor Foundation contributed $102,107 to the community service programs of the Club. In FY 2025, that amount will increase to $107,582.