What is The Gundaker Foundation

The Gundaker Foundation is the foundation of District 7450. It is a nonprofit corporation, established to serve the 52+ Rotary Clubs in District 7450 by improving the quality of life for many deserving people. Each district Rotary club has a Gundaker Director, appointed to attend monthly meetings and to serve on the Foundation. Funds to support the Foundation are raised by annual contributions, sustaining memberships, gifts and bequests, and special fundraising projects. The Gundaker Foundation makes the following services available to our clubs and communities:

1. The Youth Exchange Program allows for high school students from foreign countries to attend school in our district and be hosted by Rotary clubs and individual Rotary families within our district. A full, chaperoned, social itinerary is provided for the students. At the same time, high school students from District 7450 are sent abroad for one year of study, to be hosted by Rotary clubs and individual Rotary families within their particular foreign countries. To have your club host an incoming student, or recommend one, please call Bill Graham, PDG, in the winter or early spring of each year.

2. Undergraduate Grants, usually of $1500-$5,000, are awarded annually to full-time juniors or seniors enrolled in any college or university in District 7450, or to students who are permanent residents in the district and attend college or university anywhere. Each district club can sponsor two applicants, who must apply through the club located nearest the applicant's address. All application materials must be submitted to the Chair of the Undergraduate grants Committee by the club's Gundaker Director no later than January 1. Awards are announced after the candidate interviews. Rotarians and their immediate families are not eligible.

3. Graduate Grants, usually of $2000-$7,5000 are awarded annually to applicants pursuing full-time graduate studies internationally or domestically. Applicants must hold permanent residence in District 7450. Each district club can sponsor two applicants, who must apply through the club located nearest the applicant's address. All application materials must be submitted to the Chair of the Graduate Grants Committee by the club's Gundaker Director no later than March 15. Awards are announced after the candidate interviews. Rotarians and their immediate families are not eligible.

4. The National Grants Committee reviews local community projects submitted by the district's Rotary clubs, and, upon Committee approval, provides matching funds of up to $1000 for these projects. Approved funds will not exceed the amount contributed by the club.

5. The International Grants Committee aids international projects initiated by district Rotary clubs, or overseas Rotary clubs with a local club's assistance. Matching funds up to $1000 can be approved for these projects. Approved funds will not exceed the amount contributed by the club.

6. The Emergency Grants Committee approves awards for disaster relief as necessary and requested