The Rotary Foundation

• In 1917, RI President Arch C. Klumph proposed that an endowment be set up for the purpose of doing good in the world with an initial fund of $ 26.50.
• In 1928, when the endowment fund had grown to more than $ 5,000, it was renamed The Rotary Foundation, and it became a distinct entity within Rotary International.
• Five Trustees, including Klumph, were appointed to "hold, invest, manage, and administer all of its property . . . as a single trust, for the furtherance of the purposes of RI."
• Two years later, the Foundation made its first grant of $ 500 to the International Society for Crippled Children. The organization, created by Rotarian Edgar F. "Daddy" Allen, later grew into the Easter Seals.
• After Rotary's founder, Paul P. Harris, died in 1947, contributions began pouring into Rotary International, and the Paul Harris Memorial Fund was created to build the Foundation.
• That year, the first Foundation program - the forerunner of Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships - was established.
• In 1965-66, three new programs were launched: Group Study Exchange, Awards for Technical Training, and Grants for Activities in Keeping with the Objective of The Rotary Foundation, which was later called Matching Grants.
• The Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants program was launched in 1978, and Rotary Volunteers was created as a part of that program in 1980.
• PolioPlus was announced in 1984-85, and the next year brought Rotary Grants for University Teachers.
• The first peace forums were held in 1987-88, leading to the Foundation's peace and conflict studies programs.
• Throughout this time, support of the Foundation grew tremendously. Since the first donation of $ 26.50 in 1917, it has received contributions totaling more than $ 1 billion.
• More than $ 70 million was donated in 2003-04 alone.
• To date, more than one million individuals have been recognized as Paul Harris Fellows - people who have given $ 1,000 to the Annual Programs Fund or have had that amount contributed in their name.
• Such strong support, along with Rotarian involvement worldwide, ensures a secure future for The Rotary Foundation as it continues its vital work for international understanding and world peace.

Glenn E. Estess - TRF Trustee Chair

• Glenn E. Estess, Sr. is the Retired Chief Executive Officer of Glenn Estess Associates, Inc. Born in Pike County, Mississippi; he earned a degree in Chemistry and Physics from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Glenn received an Honarary Doctor of Business Adminstration from Keimyung University in Busan, Korea and an Honorary Doctorate from G. B. Pant University of Agriculture in Pantnagar, Uttaranchal, India. Glenn is one of five brothers who were Rotarians. Four were Presidents of their respective clubs.
• Glenn is past chairman of trustees of the Baptist Health Systems. He served as director of the Better Business Bureau of Central Alabama and as a trustee for the Workmen's Compensation Trust of the Business Council of Alabama. Earlier in Florida he was chairman of the YMCA, the American Chemical Society and the Arthritis Foundation. He was also a member of the Board of Regents of the National Association of Personnel Consultants in the United States.
• A Rotarian since 1960, Glenn is a member of the Rotary club of Shades Valley. Glenn has served as president of Rotary International during its Centennial year, as a trustee of the Rotary Foundation, as vice-president of Rotary International, and as a director at Rotary Internatioanl. During his tenure as a trustee, Glenn served as Chairman of the Foundation's Finance Committee and Vice Chairman of its Program Committee. He was an Advisor to the 19971 Rotary International Convention Committee and PolioPlus National Coordinator in 1987-88. He was also Rotary International's Assembly Chairman and Moderator in 1999.
• Glenn is a Rotary Foundation Major Donor, a Paul Harris Fellow, and a Benefactor. He is the recipient of the Citation for Meritorious Service and The Rotary Foundation's Distinguished Service Award and Rotary's Service Above Self Award.
• Glenn and Mary have three children and eight grandchildren. Sixteen members of his family are Paul Harris Fellows.