So far this fiscal year, we have funded $83,727 in vocational education grants to fund life-changing education for 47 grant recipients.  At the bottom of this article, you will see the programs of study and the number of students who have elected to study each.

 

It is apparent that the majority of students we have funded have elected medical-related vocations.  What is not so apparent is that in many cases, the level of the program they have elected to begin with will result in improving their household income and quality of life, but is also selected because it is within their economic reach with the help of our grant.  Many vocational programs cost far more than our current $2,000 maximum grant will cover.

 

Only thirteen of the grants funded were for less than the current cap of $2,000.  It would be conservative to think that if our maximum grant had been $3,000, that we would have funded $100,000 in grants by now.  In fact, it would likely have been closer to $120,000.

 

What we cannot measure is how many students look into enrolling in a vocational education program, but give up because the cost of the program after our grant would still be far beyond their means.

 

The officers, board members and advisors of TRVFA know that to be the resource originally envisioned by those who gave birth to this uniquely Arizona Rotary vocational education resource, we have to expand the number of Rotarian donors as well as expand our sources of revenue beyond Rotarians.  There are several ways you can help:

We realize we have just entered our "season of giving."  The majority of our donations come in between December 1 and April 15.  At this point, we are only about 10% of the way to our $300,000 2020-21 fundraising goal.

 

It would be a huge help if more donors would elect the automatic giving option available through our on-line donation page.  It would help the donor by making their "remembering to give" effortless going forward.  It would enhance our ability to plan since it would provide some reliable year-round cash flow.

 

The Rotary Foundation is the charitable arm of Rotary that enables the amazing work we, as Rotarians, are all proud to be a part of.  Every Rotarian is strongly encouraged to support TRF every year by donating to the General Fund of TRF.  The target gift is $100 per year per member.  That has been the target for a very long time and in the US the average family income has multiplied a few times since that target was set.  Many Rotarians who have the means to do so have set their personal target at the $1,000 per year mark making them eligible for the Paul Harris Society level of donor recognition. 

 

The End Polio Now campaign is a separate fund to which gifts are matched two-for-one by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  Many Rotarians choose to support both the general fund and the fight to end polio.

 

No matter what level you decide to donate, please support the Foundation by giving through Rotary Direct.  CLICK HERE to get answers to commonly asked questions about this program.  DOWNLOAD A FORM to authorize your Rotary Direct donations.  By giving through Rotary direct, the opportunity for human error is eliminated and recognition credit for the Rotarian and their club is much more accurate and timelier.