Neenah Rotary Foundation

The Neenah Rotary Foundation (the Foundation) was formed in the mid-1960s. The Foundation's purpose is to provide educational opportunities to students in the Neenah community.

Initially the Foundation provided students with loans at modest interest rates to finance their post high school education. Proceeds from the repayment of the loans were then used to provide additional scholarships. More than $630,000 in loans were made available to students in the Neenah area from the Foundations inception until 1999.

In 1999 the program was changed to award scholarships to deserving students. Scholarships are awarded to students attending traditional four year colleges, technical colleges and trade schools. For the Rotary year ended June 30, 2009 the Foundation awarded $17,300 in scholarships to qualifying students.

Initial fund-raising activities included "Broadway" plays such as "An Evening with Charles Laughton," "The Pleasure of your Company," "Voyage to the Moon," "Once Upon a Mattress," and "The Andersonville Trial." The events were so successful that the Pickard Auditorium was constructed to host the productions. Since the early days of the Foundation fund-raising activities have migrated to our current golf outing, dinner and auction held each May.

In addition to the fundraising activities mentioned above the Neenah Rotary Club created The Neenah Rotary Foundation Fellowship award to recognize outstanding Rotarians and supporters of the Neenah Rotary Foundation. Any Neenah Rotarian who contributes a minimum of $1,000 to the Foundation is recognized as a Foundation Fellow and receives a special gold emblem to be displayed prominently on their name badge.

The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors that are annually appointed by the Board of Directors of the Neenah Rotary Club. Foundation Board members include the current President, the immediate past President, and President Elect of the Neenah Rotary Club, a Treasurer, a Secretary, and up to four additional members selected from the Neenah Rotary Club membership. Meetings of the Foundation Board are held quarterly.

The Foundation also has an Investment Committee and a Scholarship Committee. The Investment Committee oversees the investment activities of the Foundation's endowment from which scholarships are paid. The Scholarship Committee periodically meets with officials from both the local high schools and colleges in an effort to assess the funding needs of students.

Tax deductible contributions to the Foundation are always welcome!

 
Sponsors