The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International was founded in 1917 as a donation fund. The Congress in 1928 named it the Rotary Foundation. In 1931, the Foundation became a corporation, acting as a trustee and investment adviser, and in 1983 it was transformed into a non-profit corporation under the laws of Illinois, USA.

The Rotary Foundation is funded solely by voluntary donations from Rotarians and Rotary friends. It is managed by its trustees solely for charitable and educational purposes, in accordance with its registration and statutes. The Rotary Foundation has two main areas of activity: programs and fundraising. Monetary funds directly finance program activities. The Rotary Foundation’s programs are divided into three main groups: