District 5470 has a lot to celebrate, and even more to look forward to.

Through August, our Annual Fund giving reached $160,672.51, an incredible 394.8% increase over the same point last year. We are currently #1 in Zone 26 in Annual Fund per-capita giving at $93.63 and #2 in total Annual Fund giving. Overall giving has reached $182,704.97, up 143% from this time last year.

Those are impressive numbers, but the real story is what those dollars make possible.

On September 21, more than $58,000 is being sent back to District 5470 clubs for matching grants supporting projects in their own communities. Those funds are the result of the generosity of Rotarians who gave to the Annual Fund during the 2023-24 Rotary year. Their gifts have come full circle, returning to our district and helping clubs turn great ideas into meaningful service.

And that makes what we are doing today even more exciting. The generosity we demonstrate this Rotary year will help provide resources for our clubs in 2029-30. Every contribution to the Annual Fund is an investment in Rotary's ability to serve in the future.

Thank you to every Rotarian and every club that has contributed. Thirty-seven of our clubs are already giving to the Annual Fund, and 118 donors are supporting Rotary through Rotary Direct. Together, we are building the resources that future club leaders will use to make a difference.

We're already at 189% of our $85,000 Annual Fund goal and just $9,327.49 away from reaching 200%. Last year, District 5470 contributed approximately $294,000 overall.

Could $300,000 be our next milestone?

Whatever the final number, the most important result won't be found on a giving report. It will be found in the communities our clubs serve, today and in the years ahead.

Thank you for making that impact possible.

Most Gratefully,

Maile Foster, 

District Rotary Foundation Chair