Projects
The Rotary Foundation is a non-profit corporation which transforms your gifts into projects that change lives both close to home and around the world through international humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs. As the charitable arm of Rotary, we tap into a global network of Rotarians who invest their time, money, and expertise into our priorities, such as eradicating polio and promoting peace. Foundation Grants empower Rotarians to approach challenges such as poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition with sustainable solutions that leave a lasting impact.
The Rotary Foundation promotes peace through our service projects, peace fellowships, and scholarships. Our members are taking action to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, inequality, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.
Strong financial oversight, a stellar charity rating, and a unique funding model mean that we make the very most of your contribution. Give and become a part of Rotary’s life-changing work!
More information can be found here.
To make a donation to the Rotary Foundation via MyRotary account, please CLICK HERE
To make a donation to the Rotary Foundation via EFT, for instructions CLICK HERE
Members and guests are encouraged to contribute to our Community Projects by donating here online.
Cash contributions may still be made at our weekly luncheons.
The Rotary Club of Adelaide Charitable Trust Foundation celebrated 50 years of support to the Rotary Club of Adelaide inc in December 2018. It was created to accept tax deductible donations from members and the public to support the Charitable and service objectives of the Club. Thousands of dollars have passed through the Charitable Trust Foundation and supported the charitable work of the Club since 1968. Between 2012 and 2018 the Club Members built the Capital of the Trust to $1 million and income from the invested capital should yield around $50,000 per annum to be distributed as the Board of the Club determines and in accordance with governing legislation. A portion of the income earned will be retained each year to build the capital.
If you would like to make a donation to the Foundation or make provision in your Will for the Charitable Trust Foundation to receive a benefit from your estate please use the Donate Button below or contact the Club Secretary at
For many years, The Rotary Club of Adelaide has provided approximately 33 volunteers to man the 11 Crossovers along the route from South Tce, down King William St, Wakefield St, Pulteney St, Grenfell St, to North Tce.
The Pageant starts at 9.30am and takes approximately 2 hours for the 88 floats to complete the journey to the Magic Cave at David Jones on North Terrace. The Crossover Teams arrive at 6.30am and stay until the Pageant is complete, (approximately 12.00noon) helping with the packing up, and clearing the fencing so that the city is able to return to the normal activities.
Organisers estimate a crowd of more than 350,000 line the streets of Adelaide, some setting up at 3.00am to save places for their families, behind the Blue safety line. There is also a huge TV audience watching live coverage, and then for a replay later on the same day.
The Rotary Club of Adelaide works closely with Brian Gilbertson Head of the Credit Union Christmas Pageant, to create a safe and friendly environment. The Club receives a small donation for their help on the day which goes towards carrying out their charitable work in the local community.
The Rotary Club of Adelaide believes that this event typifies its work by contributing in a very necessary and visual way.
We provide volunteers to provide breakfasts for Hutt Street Centre clients on every 5th Saturday.
We support 4 -5 of these each year with 8 - 10 volunteers for each breakfast. We have a list of volunteers willing to participate and always welcome others.
In addition, a number of our Club members take part each year in the Walk a Mile In My Boots fundraiser for the homeless.
More information can be found here.
We support the work of The Australian Landscape Trust at Calperum Station, a protected reserve of over 2,000 square kilometres in SA. It is part of an area within a larger reserve system known as the Riverland Biosphere Reserve. listed as "critical" for the survival of bird species such as black-eared miner. Our Club has helped by providing funding and volunteers for tree planting, water testing and monitoring activities.
More details can be found here.
Interested Adelaide Rotary Club members have formed the Wirraninthi group which meets in the West Parklands on the 1st Saturday of the month near the West Terrace Catholic Cemetery to help restore the area to its natural state.
The Science & Engineering Challenge is an outreach program to encourage students in years 9 & 10 to continue study science, engineering, technology and maths subjects through years 11 & 12. Thus, enabling them to undertake later tertiary level courses in science and engineering that leads to an exciting future career. Reporting shows that the program works and interest in STEM subjects has risen. The Rotary Club of Adelaide is a leading partner in operating the Science and Engineering Challenge in South Australia and has done so for many years, managing a committee including our members and representatives of both SA universities. Our Club has been intimately involved from the beginning and this year the Challenge was held at Tonsley Park on 5th September with the challenge being called 'Factory of the Future'. Eight SA schools competed with approximately 240 students.
| If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for any of these events, please do not hesitate to contact us! |
The National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) is a not-for-profit organisation that runs residential programs to encourage young people in their passion for science. NYSF is a 12-day program designed for Year 11 students undertaking Year 12 in the following year. Their programs show the wide variety of engaging, rewarding and inspiring study and career options available in science, technology and engineering fields. Since 1984, more than 11,000 young Australians have progressed through the NYSF Year 12 Program.
The program is for students interested in pursuing a career in science, engineering and technology. It is designed to give students a broader understanding of the diverse study and career options available in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and to encourage them to continue their studies in these fields. More information can be found here.
Donations In Kind (DIK), now known as RARE, is the program Rotarians and Rotary Clubs use to source surplus goods and products that have no further use within Australia are repurposed and find new life with those in countries that have a need and/or used to support Rotary projects in developing countries. The Rotary Club of Adelaide supports Donations in Kind with our members volunteering to help sort stock, load containers and arrange shipments at the DIK Edinburgh Parks facility. We also contribute funds to assist with shipping costs as managed by DIK. We recently used our networks to arrange a shipment of school furniture to Cochin, which arrived in good order and immediately put to use. DIK is a major Rotary project that has a coverage throughout South Australia. Surplus goods are donated to the project by businesses, organisations and individuals. These goods are sorted and distributed to needy communities locally, nationally and internationally. These donations include medical, dental and hospital equipment, computers, books, toys and school furniture.
More information can be found here.
Contact David Cockshell -
Members of the Rotary Club of Adelaide contribute to the processes involved with the South Pacific Schools Aid project. This project sends dozens of pallets of books and educational equipment to schools throughout the South Pacific and even as far as Nepal! They have even taken computers from IT Share at Stirling; to pack them and send them to Zanzibar Nursing School. Books from St Andrews school and Mitcham Rotary bookshop end up amongst the shipments for Nepal and Fiji, including two pallets of books sent to the Deaconess' college in Suva Fiji. Books come and books go. Other outgoing destinations include Myanmar, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and even Western Samoa. Donations from organisations like West Lakes Shore school, St Augustine’s School, OXFAM, Mundulla Primary School and many other places including Adelaide University. Our volunteers work their magic to send them out; boxed on palettes, wrapped and addressed. (The 'magic' is really intelligent hard work - selecting the right books and maximising the number of books per box by careful packing ). More information can be found here.
RYLA is a life changing experience, it has the capacity to instil, motivate and develop future leaders in one of the most intensive leadership experiences for young people available in South Australia. During an annual 7-day residential program for 18 – 26 year olds, participants get involved in topics such as: leadership and personality styles, working in teams, self-belief, conflict management, goal setting and public speaking. Speakers and program leaders leave awardee participants feeling motivated and inspired. The team leaders also complement the experience, through informal activities (fun) and support. The Rotary Club of Adelaide sponsors attendees to the event and supports some of the activities. A key outcome of RYLA, is that it allows awardees to form networks and friendships amongst a diverse range of like-minded youth, including those from an international background. The next Rotary Youth Leadership Awards event dates are October 3rd - 9th, 2026 and applications are now closed for 2026. More information about RYLA can be found here.
The Magic Show is more than a fundraising event. Tickets are sold to sponsors made up mostly of small to medium business owners who are asked to support a young person with special needs and their carer, to attend a wonderful and professional performance at the Thebarton Theatre. These ticket sales to the World Festival of Magic to corporate donors, enable families to spend an hour or two out of the daily routine and enjoy being entertained by world class magic. The event is owned and conducted by International Entertainment Ltd (IEL) with the Rotary Club of Adelaide hosting the event in Adelaide, providing Rotarian volunteers to assist with the coordination of seating at the event. The Rotary Club of Adelaide nominates a major beneficiary, usually an organisation which undertakes work with children and youth. The Rotary Club of Adelaide has some 25 years’ experience of being the “host” service club and a history of achieving healthy income for distribution, each year.
Most importantly, the many shows our club has hosted has enabled tens of thousands of disadvantaged children throughout Adelaide, to enjoy a very memorable experience. We are proud to be the Rotary Club in South Australia to host this live Magic Show.
We acknowledge all of our past and future sponsors who have made a huge difference for thousands of children. They should feel proud as these children won’t forget the experience! See more here.
RYPEN is a 3-day residential program for 14 - 17 year olds from diverse backgrounds, empowering them to make positive change in their community and their lives. Conducted annually this program develops and empowers today's youth. It takes the form of a conference with activities and the guest speakers and youth team leaders to inspire participants through topics of self-belief, working in teams, managing conflict, public speaking and goal setting. RYPEN provides a safe, encouraging environment for self-development and increased self-confidence, whilst networking with like-minded peers. The program also Introduces young leaders to Rotary programs and develops awareness of other leadership opportunities within Rotary and the community. Our Club assists with this program and sponsors participants who we identify as young people who could benefit from the activity.
Our next RYPEN Seminar for 2027 will be Adelaide Metro: Friday 2 – Sunday 4 July 2027. RYPEN accepts registrations from participants, if you will have had your 14th birthday and have not yet had your 18th birthday at the commencement of the Seminar on Friday 2nd July 2027. Applications close on Monday 7th June, 2027. More information can be found here.
Rotary believes that if concerned citizens work together to create peace locally, we can create lasting change globally. We refuse to accept conflict as a way of life. That’s why peacebuilding and conflict prevention is one of our causes.
By carrying out service projects and by supporting Rotary Peace fellowships and scholarships, Rotary members take action to end conflict and create environments of peace.
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The Sir Charles Bright Scholarships are awarded to people with a disability, to undertake further education at a university, TAFE or other recognised post - secondary educational institution. In memory of Sir Charles Bright, a former judge of the Supreme Court, Chancellor of the University of Adelaide, and Chairman of Minda, they were established when Sir Charles died in 1983. Malcolm Penn OAM a blind lawyer, and seen here, thought there should be some form of lasting recognition. Scholarships, each valued at $1500, are presented annually during February/March. Demand for scholarships saw major organisations invited to be involved. For many years now, the Royal society for the Blind, Guide Dogs SA/NT, Paraplegic-quadriplegic association, the Brain Foundation, SCOSA and Multiple Sclerosis Society, together with 5RPH1197AM, have all provided scholarships, designated for particular students. The Sir Charles Bright Scholarship is administered by a Board of Trustees Chaired by our Past President John Seaton.
Rotary Adelaide is passionate about looking after and nurturing the resilience and hard work of healthcare workers in South Australia. The pressures on these amazing people are ever increasing and as a club that is always looking out for others to make their lives a little better, we at Rotary Adelaide are creating Nurture Kits. Boxes of love.
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Australian Rotary Health Scholarships for Indigenous Health Scholars, is a co-operative program between Australian Rotary Health and the Rotary Club of Adelaide, in association with the SA and Commonwealth Governments. Initially intended to train doctors to work amongst other Indigenous people, the scope of the scheme enlarged to permit the training of nurses and health related professionals. Since its inception this program has spread throughout the Rotary community with scholars being supported in each of the mainland states and in the Northern Territory. The scholarship can be used to assist Indigenous students with their day-to-day expenses while they undertake a course in a wide range of health-related professions, with a purpose to assist students gain an education which will in turn enable a benefit of other Indigenous people – hopefully, but not necessarily, in some of our remote areas. More information can be found here.
EveryMum is dedicated to ensuring every mother, everywhere, receives the care she deserves during pregnancy and childbirth.
Adelaide Rotary has supported EveryMum with both a District Grant in 2024/25 and with a successful application in 2025/26 through the Rotary Club of Balwyn (Victoria) Centenary Grants Program. In 2026/27, Adelaide Rotary is providing funding to assist in establishment of five new neo-natal clinics in Rural Cambodia during 2027.
Grapes of New Hope (GNH) is a refugee-led, community-based organisation founded in 2021 within Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda. The Organisation is committed to restoring hope and transforming lives by empowering vulnerable groups youth, single mothers, children at risk and persons with disabilities, to achieve self-reliance and resilience. Rooted in compassion and inclusion, GNH envisions a community where refugees and host populations thrive together in equality and opportunity.
Adelaide Rotary supported the implementation of the two-month advanced tailoring 'Training of trainers’ at the Grapes of New Hope Training Center in 2025/26 and in 2026/27 is providing funding for a Women’s Economic Empowerment project within the Nakivale Refugee Camp.
