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Foundation Matters
Making An Impact With Global Grants

In 2004, a modest $5,000 donation to the Rotary Foundation from the Rotary Club of Roswell, Georgia, became the seed of something extraordinary. Through the Foundation’s matching program, it grew into $20,000—funds that helped launch a transformative project in Pilar, Argentina. This grant supported two critical initiatives: "El Mandamiento," a soy-based food processing kitchen feeding thousands in community kitchens, and essential equipment for the municipal hospital. The ripple effects of this single grant have been profound and far-reaching. To learn more about how giving to TRF turns into impactful global grants, register for the next Foundation Matters webinar.

Over the past 21 years, "El Mandamiento" has continued to feed countless people, while the hospital’s surgical table has saved countless lives. But the story doesn’t end there. This project awakened the local Rotary Club of Pilar to a new reality—that Rotarians from across the globe cared enough to make a significant investment in their community. It transformed their club from a social organization into a dynamic force for good, inspiring new leadership and a reinvigorated mission. The story illustrates how Rotary grants do more than fund projects—they build bridges, create friendships, and inspire peace. The collaboration required to execute these grants fosters empathy, trust, and global fellowship. Rotarians in Roswell and Pilar didn’t just work together; they became lifelong partners, and dear friends, in service. A Legacy of Impact Since that first grant, the partnership between Roswell and Pilar has blossomed into numerous follow-on projects:

  • Vision for a Brighter Future: Thousands of children received vision screenings and surgeries, enabling them to succeed in school and life.
  • Investing in Education: School restrooms were remodeled, hygiene programs were implemented, and teachers from Roswell and Pilar exchanged ideas and cultures, enriching students on both sides of the partnership.
  • Mutual Giving: Pilar Rotarians were so inspired by the generosity they received that they funded a $10,000 project for Roswell’s Drake House, demonstrating how generosity creates a cycle of goodwill.

And to think—all of this began with just $5,000.

Posted by Bob Hagan
February 3, 2025

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