The Paul Harris Fellowship is named for Paul Harris, who founded Rotary with three business associates in Chicago in 1905. The Fellowship was established in his honor in 1957 to express appreciation for a contribution of $1,000 to the humanitarian and educational programs of The Rotary Foundation’s Annual Program Fund.

The Annual Program Fund is used to fund Rotary Club Projects, that are Local, District and International, by way of Simplified Grants and Matching Grants. Interest is derived for a period of three years for the Rotary Founda­tion Annual Programs Fund. Following the three years, 50% of the original contribution is returned to our District 7570 through the District Designated Funds. These funds are then used locally for Simplified Grants, Group Study Exchange trips, Ambassadorial Scholarships, Student Leadership Conferences at Roanoke, etc. The other 50% goes to support Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants that are too large a monetary scope for local clubs or even Districts to handle by themselves.

Paul Harris Society

The Paul Harris Society recognizes friends of The Rotary Foundation who annually contribute US$1,000 or more to the Annual Programs Fund, PolioPlus, and other approved Foundation grant activities.