The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awarded Rotary International $100 million in 2007 and $255 million in 2009 for polio eradication, with the requirement that Rotarians raise matching funds of $200 million by June 2012. This $555 million total will support immunization campaigns in countries where polio remains a threat. By the time polio is globally eradicated, Rotary will have contributed over $1.2 billion to the effort through fundraising activities to meet the Gates Foundation challenge.

1. H e l p M e e t The Challenge
Photograph courtesy of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awarded
Rotary International a $100 million grant for polio
eradication in 2007 and an additional $255 million
grant in 2009. Rotarians must raise matching funds
to meet the $200 million challenge by June 30,
2012. The resulting $555 million will directly support
immunisation campaigns in countries where polio
continues to infect and paralyse children. By the As long as polio threatens even one child anywhere
in the world, children everywhere remain at risk.
time the world is certified polio-free, Rotary will
have contributed more than $1.2 billion to the The UK Houses of Parliament were illuminated with
eradication effort. the Rotary End Polio Now message as part of the
Rotary Day celbrations on February 23, 2009.
Rotarians world-wide are taking part in a wide range of
fund-raising activities to meet the challenge.
Photograph by Jean-Mark Giboux
Rotary International in Great Britian and Ireland www.thanksforlife.org