The Rotary Foundation

GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE (GSE)

The GSE program began in 1955 as the idea of a New Zealand district. Originally known as the Rotary Overseas Travel Award (ROTA), it was adopted by the Trustees as an official educational program in 1965.

As of the end of the 1999-2000 Rotary year, 8,063 teams had traveled, with another 587 scheduled for 2000-01. Through 1999-2000, 42,209 participants had taken advantage of the program, with 2,935 more alumni presumed for 2000-01. For 2001-02, more than 590 teams were paired, adding nearly 3,000 more participants to the total.

Expenditures through 1999-2000 were more than US$73 million. In 1999-2000 alone, the Foundation spent US$3,825,111.81 for the program.

GSE is the only free Foundation program for which all districts in good standing may apply.

Matching Grants

Through Matching Grants The Rotary Foundation matches contributions raised by Rotary clubs and districts for international service projects involving Rotary clubs or districts in two or more countries.  Frequently, these are World Community Service (WCS) projects.

The Rotary Foundation provides a 1:1 for District Designated Funds SHARE contributions and a 0.5:1 match for new cash contributions.