Rotary Foundation
Eileen Rau
Regional Foundation Coordinator
Eileen and her husband Bob live in West Hartford, CT. She has worked in various advertising, marketing and management positions in the healthcare, newspaper and software industries.
She has been a member of the Rotary Club of West Hartford, CT since 1997 serving as District 7890 Governor for 2012-2013 and DRFC from 2015-2018. She was the chair for NEPETS. On the zone level, she was an Assistant Rotary Coordinator, the Hartford Zone Institute Chair, an Assistant Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator and current RRFC for Zone 32. She received the Service Above Self Award from Rotary International in 2018 and the Citation for Meritorious Service from the Rotary Foundation in 2020.
Eileen and Bob are Major Donors and Bequest Society & AKS members
Eileen served on the board of directors of the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce. She received the Chamber's Volunteer of the Year award. She has also served on the board of Hopeworks, an interfaith counseling organization serving young people and their families, as well as on the board of West Hartford Community Television.
She has volunteered with the Partners for Literacy, Jewish Family Services and at nursing homes. She serves as a commissioner for the Town of West Hartford's Senior Advisory Commission.
The motto of the Rotary Foundation and its mission statement
We are a top charity as rated by Charity Navigator
Eileen provided an overview of the Rotary Foundation, its areas of focus, funding models including the annual fund and endowment, and recognition levels for donors. Eileen explained various donation methods including online, checks, recurring donations, and corporate matching. Club officers can donate on others' behalf using recognition points and foundation reports track donations. Donating $1,000 cumulatively or via a club award earns Paul Harris Fellow recognition with a certificate and pin. Sustaining this level annually joins the Paul Harris Society. Higher lifetime donation levels are recognized from $10,000 with pins and crystals up to $1 million for the Legacy Society bequest commitment. Annual fund donations fund district and global grants after three years, with the World Fund matching global grants. Recent local grants included literacy programs and disaster relief.
A question was asked about Polio Plus. She reported that cases are down to Afghanistan and Pakistan but vaccination challenges remain. Increased donations can help meet the 2026 global eradication target through vaccination infrastructure improvements.
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