The concept of a million-dollar dinner started in District 5110 (Oregon, USA) in 2004 and is spreading around the world, bringing together people who commit to new gifts of $10,000 or more. Are you ready to inspire your district to take its Foundation fundraising to the next level? From forming a committee and identifying prospective supporters to event planning and promotion, you’ll learn how to produce an unprecedented major gift campaign in your community.

1. 2016 ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
TITLEMillion Dollar Dinner – The How-tos

2. Chris Offer
• Endowment - Major Gift Advisor
• Zone 24 West
• Member, Rotary Peace Centers Major Gift Initiative
Committee
• Past Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator
• Rotary Club of Ladner, District 5040
• British Columbia, Canada

3. • Trustee – The Rotary Foundation
• Past RI Director
• Past Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator
• Rotary Club of Barrie-Huronia, District 7010
• Ontario, Canada
Bryn Styles

4. Martin Limbird
• Endowment - Major Gift Advisor
• Zone 27
• Member, Executive Team, Atlanta 2017
Promotion Committee
• Rotary Club of Fort Collins, District 5440
Colorado, USA

5. Eric Wood
• Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator
• (Part Zone 8) 2016-2019
• Rotary Club of Pine Rivers Daybreak,
• District 9600
• Australia

6. In 1917, Arch C. Klumph
proposed that an
endowment be set up “for
the purpose of doing good
in the world.”

7. What is a Million Dollar Dinner?

8. Million Dollar Dinner
2004 – District 5110 Oregon
Raise US$1 Million for The Rotary Foundation
New donations
Celebration of a 9-12 month campaign
Major Gifts & Bequests of US$10,000 or more
District sponsored event – with TRF support

9. Why Host a Million Dollar Dinner?
Support District’s Foundation goals
 Major Gifts
 PolioPlus
 Annual Giving
 Future DDF
 Endowment Funds
 Bequests
 Greater awareness of the Foundation

10. Critical Steps
• FB, Video
• Newsletter
• Website
• Send in forms
• Present Pins
• Sponsors
• Training
• Keynote
• EMGA/MGO
• MDD Chair
• Team/Area
Captains
• Policies
Location
& date
Prospect
List
PromoteInvite

11. Logistics of a Million Dollar Dinner
• Select date & location early
• Carefully select chair and team members
• Invite senior Rotary leader as keynote
early
• Look for corporate sponsors
• Develop promotional tools
• Build prospect lists
• Host dinner & have fun

12. Million Dollar Dinner Committee

13. Types of Gifts to support MDD
• Cash gifts of US$10,000 or more
• Bequests of US$10,000 or more
• 3 year pledge of US$10,000 or more
• Term gifts – area of focus $15,000 to $30,000
• Gifts of insurance – discuss first
• Named Funds US$25,000 plus
• Additional opportunities available in many
countries due to different charitable laws

14. Named
Funds
$25,000
Support
World Fund
or SHARE or
Peace
Centers
$100,000
Support an
Area of Focus
$250,000
Support Area
of Focus
projects in a
district$500,000
Establish an
Endowed
Rotary World
Peace
Fellowship
$750,000
Endows a
two-year
fellow every
3 years
$1,000,000
Work with
TRF to meet
your
philanthropic
goals

15. How is The Rotary Foundation rated?
#5

16. How to promote your Million Dollar Dinner
• Select well known Rotary senior leader
• Use Facebook, Twitter & other social media
• District website
• District newsletter or separate newsletter
• Video
• Club presentations & District events
– MDD Committee
– EMGA & MGO

17. Million Dollar Dinner – Best Practices
Planning
Committee selection
Promotion
Paper work
Work with Zone Team
Recognition-share stories

19. Resource Downloads
Download a copy at:
https://goo.gl/Y1WufH
Download a copy at:
www.Rotary.org/BrandCenter

20. Rate this session! Your feedback is valuable so remember to
complete the brief session evaluation in the convention mobile
app. To download the app, search for “Rotary Events” in your
Apple or Android app store.
This presentation and others from throughout the convention
are available through the convention mobile app and on
SlideShare at
www.SlideShare.net/Rotary_International.