About
The Charitable Foundation is a tax-exempt Arizona non-profit Corporation. It is a separate legal
entity from Rotary International District 5500. As originally incorporated, the legal title is the Rotary District 5500 Foundation, Inc.
A. Purposes.
The Foundation was organized for two specific purposes:
a. To provide a tax-exempt entity for District 5500 Rotary clubs or recognized District
Committees that do not have their own tax-exempt Foundation for the
receipt/deposit and disbursement of funds.
b. Any club that is in “good standing” as defined by the current Bylaws of the District
may apply for an account with the Charitable Foundation.
c. The Foundation may not engage in any form of fundraising.
B. Who Can Use the Fund?
a. Any club in good standing or any recognized District committee may use the fund for
depositing and disbursing tax-exempt funds as permitted by the IRS code.
b. The club/committee must sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) before an
account can be activated. The MOU defines the procedures and the working
relationship between the club/committee and the Foundation.
C. Officers and Directors.
a. The Board of Directors consists of 7 Directors. Each Director must be a Rotarian in
good standing in a District club that is in good standing in the District.
i. One member must be the current Vice Governor of the District.
ii. Three directors are elected on a rotating basis at the annual meeting of the
Council on District Legislation.
iii. Three directors are appointed by the District Governor on a rotating basis –
one appointment per year.
b. The officers of the Foundation consist of a president, vice-president, secretary and
treasurer.
i. Each officer will be a member of the Board of Directors.
ii. The Board of Directors elects the four officers from its membership at the
Annual Meeting of the Foundation.
c. Vacancies. Vacancies in director or officer positions are filled as determined by the
Foundation Board of Directors unless the vacancy is in the directorship held by the
Vice-Governor of the District.
i. In the event the vacancy is in the position on the Board held by the Vice-
Governor of the District, that position will be filled in accordance with
procedures established by the District to replace a Vice-Governor.
D. Bylaws. A copy of the District 5500 (Charitable) Foundation Bylaws is included on this page.