About The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids

The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids became a reality, March 29, 1913, in the Livingston Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was #77 among Rotary Clubs worldwide, and the second Rotary Club in Michigan. Since that time, Grand Rapids Rotary has worked with care and diligence to fulfill the ideals of Rotary. Its members have taken to heart the Rotary motto, "Service above Self", and the Four Way Test that has been accepted outside the Rotary organization as well as within it.

During the winter of 1913, three Grand Rapids men became interested in the idea of Rotary. Attracted by both the business and social aspects of the organization, they began to talk of forming a Grand Rapids club and they invited two members from the Detroit Rotary (the first club in Michigan) to meet with them and guide their organization. Joined by four new recruits, the group of seven agreed to form a local Rotary club and elected a slate of officers. On August 1, 1913, the Grand Rapids club received its charter as the 77th club in Rotary International and the second in Michigan. Whatever their occupations, the founding members of the Grand Rapids Rotary were successful and hard-working men who approached public service with the same commitment and determination that characterized their business endeavors. Not only did the founders devote much time and energy to Rotary service activities and community fund drives, but many of them were equally willing to play a leadership role in a wide variety of other charitable and civil causes.

Throughout its history, a list of active and distinguished members of the Grand Rapids Rotary Club would include probably hundreds of well-known men and women, including former President of the United States, Gerald R. Ford, a member for over 50 years beginning with his years as a Member of Congress from the 5th District of Michigan. This indeed is only a summary of the high points of the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids. But from it emerges a theme, which might be summarized like this: It is very difficult to refuse a fellow Rotarian when he asks for help on a project that fits the ideals of Rotary.

Rotary Charities Foundation of Grand Rapids

The Rotary Charities Foundation of Grand Rapids primary purpose is to help support programs for challenged youth in the Greater Grand Rapids area. Our focus is on young people who face challenges - physical challenges, environmental challenges, educational challenges or who have special needs. We want to make a difference in their lives and help them beat the odds.

The Rotary Charities Foundation helps support programs focused on providing local young people with the guidance, positive experiences and support they need during this critical time in their lives

Programs the Rotary Charities Foundation supports are:

STRIVE - A scholarship and job program for high school seniors academically ranked in the lower one-third of their senior class. Rotarians serve as STRIVE mentors. The program offers students a chance for a fresh beginning.

INDIAN TRAILS CAMP - Originally co-founded and supported by the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids, Indian Trails Camp provides a recreational camping experience for children and adults with special needs.

ROTARY YOUTH PROGRAMS - Each year Rotary Charities Foundation helps sponsor high school students at the Life Leadership Conference in Northern Michigan, and the World Affairs Seminar at the University of Wisconsin. In addition we encourage Foreign Exchange Programs that promote more understanding between young people from different nations.

COMMUNITY YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS - The Rotary Charities Foundation supports youth groups that provide proven programs of leadership and life skill training. Here are some of the organizations we support that help young people learn the value of teamwork, patriotism and moral standards.

Boy Scouts of America
Girl Scouts of America
YMCA
YWCA
Junior Achievement