Fellowship and friendship
The reason Rotary began. Weekly meetings, family programmes and fellowship events build friendships that outlast any project.
Being a Rotarian
What membership offers, and how The Rotary Foundation recognises those who give — PHF, MPHF, Major Donor and more.
What membership gives you
Rotary asks a good deal of its members, and gives a good deal back.
Service that reaches people
Your time and skills go into medical camps, school support, clean water and disaster relief — with a club and a global network behind you.
Professional networking
Members are drawn from different classifications — one per trade or profession in principle — so a club is a cross-section of the local business community.
Leadership experience
Club offices, committee chairs and district roles give real experience of leading teams, running budgets and delivering projects.
A worldwide network
1.2 million members in over 45,000 clubs. A Rotarian travelling almost anywhere can attend a meeting and be welcomed as a member.
Rotary Fellowships and Action Groups
Groups organised around shared interests and causes — from cycling and music to microfinance and environmental sustainability.
Opportunities for young people
Members can sponsor young people into Rotaract, Interact, RYLA leadership training, youth exchange and scholarships.
Grants for your projects
District and Global Grants from The Rotary Foundation can multiply what a club raises locally, funding work no single club could manage alone.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Recognition from The Rotary Foundation
The Rotary Foundation turns members' contributions into grants, scholarships and the polio campaign. It recognises giving at a series of levels — the familiar ones being RFSM, PHF and MPHF.
All amounts are in US dollars, cumulative unless stated, and are set by The Rotary Foundation. Recognition can be earned by a member's own giving or conferred by someone else in their honour.
RFSM
US$100 a year
Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member
The usual first step. A member who gives at least US$100 to the Annual Fund each year is a Sustaining Member. Many clubs aim for every member to reach this.
Recognition as an Annual Fund contributor
PHF
US$1,000 cumulative
Paul Harris Fellow
Awarded when US$1,000 has been given to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus or an approved Foundation grant — by the member, or by someone else in their honour. Clubs often confer it on a member or a member of the community as a mark of respect.
Certificate and the gold Paul Harris Fellow pin
MPHF
Each further US$1,000
Multiple Paul Harris Fellow
Every additional US$1,000 adds a level — PHF+1, +2 and onwards. The pin gains stones as the levels rise, so a member's contribution over the years is visible at a glance.
A pin with sapphire or ruby stones marking each level
PHS
US$1,000 a year
Paul Harris Society
For members who commit to giving US$1,000 or more every year to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus or approved grants — a sustained commitment rather than a one-off.
Ongoing recognition as a Society member
Benefactor
US$1,000+ to the Endowment Fund
Benefactor
For those who give US$1,000 or more to the Endowment Fund, or name The Rotary Foundation in their estate plans.
Certificate and an insignia worn with the Rotary or PHF pin
Bequest Society
US$10,000+ committed
Bequest Society
For members who commit US$10,000 or more to the Foundation through their estate plans. Higher commitments carry further recognition, up to Arch Klumph Society induction at US$250,000.
Pin and framed art at entry level; crystal and named endowed funds above
Major Donor
US$10,000+ cumulative
Major Donor
Recognised in four levels: Level 1 US$10,000–24,999; Level 2 US$25,000–49,999; Level 3 US$50,000–99,999; Level 4 US$100,000–249,999.
Crystal recognition piece, and a lapel pin or pendant
AKS
US$250,000+ cumulative
Arch Klumph Society
The Foundation's highest recognition, named after the Rotary president who proposed the endowment in 1917. Circles run from Trustees Circle at US$250,000 to Platinum Foundation Circle above US$10 million.
Induction ceremony, with portrait and biography in the AKS gallery at Rotary headquarters
A note on giving
Contributions are made directly to The Rotary Foundation, not through this website. Recognition levels and amounts are set by the Foundation and may change — check rotary.org for the current position. Our club does not publish individual members' giving without their permission.
Recognition levels from rotary.org/en/donate/recognition, checked 22 July 2026.