– Owners of traditional IRAs and workplace retirement accounts who turned 73 last year, were able to delay their first mandatory required minimum distribution withdrawal until April 1st of this year. There are certainly members in your district to whom this applies. NOW, while they are making those plans, would be a great time to ask them to consider a donation to The Rotary Foundation’s Annual Fund or Endowment. Donations to SHARE contribute to the pool of funds available to come back to your district for District and Global Grants.
– Consider hosting a “major donor”, “Leave a Legacy”, or “Million Dollar” dinner.
- Work with your District Rotary Foundation Chair, District Governor, and District Governor Elect to identify and enlist a District Endowment Fund Chair as part of the District Rotary Foundation team;
- Play the 1-minute “Leighwood” video at your District events. Encourage the District Governor-Elect to include it as part of their club visit presentations next Rotary Year;
- Encourage Bequest Society and Benefactor membership this year;
- Identify prospects for new Major Gifts or Endowment and share with your Zone Endowment/Major Gifts Advisor or Rotary International Major Gifts Officer;
- Promote Rotary Promise Clubs in your District;
- Download and include a Your Rotary Legacy form in your Club New Member and PETS packets;
- Talk about and promote the Endowment Fund at all District level training;
- Start planning now, so that in 9-15 months you can host a Dinner in your District. your Zone Endowment/Major Gifts Advisor or Rotary International Major Gifts Officer can help guide you through this process.
– Another opportunity is presented as members do their estate planning, by including bequests to The Rotary Foundation in their testaments (or an addendum, called a “codicil”, to an existing testament). The Foundation makes a number of downloadable and online materials available to members for free, to make this a simple process: