Meeting the Gates Challenge 

 

District 1010 TfL Information Sheet - Number 3

For more information go to www.thanksforlife1010.org

 

The Thanks for Life Project - - Meeting the Bill & Melinda Gates Challenge

 

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded US$255 million to Rotary International in the global effort to eradicate polio, bringing the total committed by Rotary and the Gates Foundation to $555 million. Bill Gates announced the new grant on Wednesday morning 21 January 2009 at the International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA. The two Gates Foundation challenge grants now total $355 million. Rotary International’s matching effort in response is called Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge, which must be completed by 30 June 2012.

 

The participation of Rotary Clubs and individual Rotarians in Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge remains crucial to its success. Rotary has already raised nearly $73 million toward this amount: $62 million in contributions and $11 million in commitments. Each Club in District 1010 is being challenged to raise at least $1000 annually for the next three years. This is a minimum amount and larger Clubs are expected to raise considerably more.

 

In addition, the governments of the United Kingdom and Germany announced they have respectively committed $150 million and $130 million to eradicate polio, which will not count toward Rotary’s challenge.

 

Consider these ideas for creative fundraisers, which have been successful for Rotary Clubs and Districts: 

 

Organize a purple pinkie project: Millions of children in polio-endemic countries know that a freshly marked purple pinkie means freedom from the disease. When members of your community make a small contribution to PolioPlus, have Rotarian volunteers mark their pinkies with the same dye used on National Immunization Days around the world. The purple pinkie will serve as a personal symbol of helping one child become free from polio forever.

 

Celebrate a big day: Rather than exchanging gifts for a special occasion, request that friends and family contribute to the challenge.  

 

Hold a raffle: Raffle off a car, a seven-night cruise, or four tickets to a local event, such as a basketball game or concert. Also consider holding weekly raffles with prizes from area restaurants or businesses.  

 

Skip a meal: Skip the meal at your Club meeting and donate the cost to The Rotary Foundation to help eradicate polio.  

 

Host a Rotary night: Work with your local team to host a Rotary night at a game. Set up a booth in the game with information on Rotary and the challenge grant.

 

Organize a walkathon, bike-a-thon, or skate-a-thon: Have Rotarians, Rotary Fellowships, athletic groups, and other community members solicit pledges for the distance they walk, pedal, or skate.

 

Coordinate an online auction: Ask Rotarians, friends, and family to search their homes for items they wish to give away, including clothing, jewelry, furniture, and housewares. Collect the goods, and list them for auction on eBay. Enlist the help of Rotaract and Interact Clubs to post photos of the items online.  

 

Plan a special event: Dinners, festivals, picnics, wine tastings, and sports competitions can all draw contributions from Rotarians and other community members.  

 

Sell a product: CDs, cookbooks, ties, teddy bears, and mugs are just a few of the items that have been sold to raise funds for PolioPlus. 

 

Hold a white elephant auction: After the holidays, ask Club members to donate gifts they do not want or need. Auction these items at a Club or District meeting to raise money for polio eradication.

 

Collect pennies for polio: Ask Rotarians, friends, and families to place coin collection cans or boxes in local businesses, schools, and homes. Donate the proceeds to the polio eradication effort.

 

Coordinate a movie night: Work with local cinemas to organize a movie night in which all or part of the proceeds from admission benefit PolioPlus. Publicize the event in the newspaper, on the radio, and in all area Rotary Clubs, and encourage everyone in the community to attend.

 

Host a million dollar dinner: Arrange a dinner with a District governor, Rotary senior leader, or local celebrity. Invite guests who can make a significant gift to Rotary’s polio eradication effort. 

 

Thanks for Life Information Sheets:

TfL1 - Thanks for Life Project - Overview

TfL2 - Polio

TfL3 - Meeting the Bill & Melinda Gates Challenge

TfL4 - Promoting Rotary

TfL5 - Window on the World of Rotary Week

TfL6 – Suggested Actions

TfL7 - Purple Pinkie Project