Uncommon Generosity: A message from TRF Trustee Larry Lunsford

By Larry Lunsford
TRF Trustee
 
It is nice to connect with Zones 26 and 27 leaders once again. Director Vicki Puliz and I are grateful for your Uncommon Generosity to Our Rotary Foundation.
 
The Rotary Foundation has recently learned that for the 15th consecutive year we have received the highest rating – four stars – from Charity Navigator. Thanks to each of you for your willingness to raise funds, your rhythm of stewardship, and your impactful use of funding through our grant program structure.
 
Your Zone Foundation team recently took a look together at the TRF Zone Contribution Summary – the Worldwide Summary – and you should all be pleased with what we saw. You should all be proud to be leaders in the world. You should all work hard over these next three months to yield even more pride.
 
Our Rotary world is divided into 34 Zones, and then paired into 17 Paired Zones.  We often talk about our Zones 26 and 27 as giving leaders in the Rotary world – and for the eight months of this 2022-23 Rotary year, that is very literally the case!
 
Through the eight months that ended February 2023 –
  1. Paired Zones 26 and 27 are ranked #2 among the 17 Paired Zones worldwide in Annual Fund Giving, behind only Zones 11 and 12 (Korea). We appreciate the current leadership of RRFCs Shirley Grace and Ken Howell. It was awesome how we exceeded our $200 Per Capita target last year, and as I look at this current year I believe we will exceed this target again this year!!
  2. Paired Zones 26 and 27 are ranked #1 among the 17 Paired Zones worldwide in PolioPlus Fund Giving. We appreciate the current leadership of ENPCs Bob Rogers and Greg Owen. We appreciate the $5,000,000 gift to PolioPlus from LDS Charities in Utah.
  3. Paired Zones 26 and 27 are ranked #1 among the 17 Paired Zones worldwide in Endowment Fund Giving. We appreciate the current leadership of E/MGAs Tom Walker and Steve Lewis.
  4. Paired Zones 26 and 27 are ranked #6 among the 17 Paired Zones worldwide in Other Funds Giving.
  5. And when you add all this up, PAIRED ZONES 26 AND 27 ARE RANKED #1 AMONG THE 17 PAIRED ZONES WORLDWIDE IN TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR ROTARY FOUNDATION!!!
Your Zones 26 and 27 Foundation Team is indeed very proud of the Rotarians in the Big West. Let’s ensure we maintain this placement through June 30, 2023 – and then let’s keep our love for the Foundation strong to sustain these giving levels for the years to come. How will you support our Rotary Foundation this month? 
 
It is my honor to serve as your Trustee.