Haddonfield Rotary - Rotary Club of Haddonfield Foundation

PURPOSE

     The Rotary Club of Haddonfield Foundation provides financial assistance to deserving students in Haddonfield and nearby communities who are planning to further their education in a university, college, vocational, or other tertiary setting.

BACKGROUND

    The Foundation is the successor to the Geographic Society, an organization sponsored by the Rotary Club of Haddonfield that, over a period of forty years, provided more than $325,000 in interest-free loans to college-bound students from Haddonfield.
    The Foundation was incorporated in 2001 as a New Jersey nonprofit corporation to be operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes.

PERMANENT FUND

    The Foundation’s Permanent Fund was established with funds generated by loan repayments to the Geographic Society.
    An early boost was given by the children of Clay Morrell, a former member of the Rotary Club of Haddonfield who served as President in 1982-83 and who was actively involved for many years, at both the club and district levels, with Rotary’s Youth Exchange program.
    In 2007, Rotarian Bob Pluese and his wife made a substantial contribution to the Foundation specifically for vocational scholarships. In 2009, Rotarian Stu Harting and his wife made a substantial contribution specifically for the benefit of graduating high school students living in Camden. Other generous contributions by members of the Club, and others, continue to add to the Permanent Fund with the objective that the scholarship program will, in time, be self-sustaining.

MANAGEMENT

    The affairs of the Foundation are managed by a Board of Trustees whose members are all members of the Rotary Club of Haddonfield. The current officers are Mark Ruggerio (Chairman), David Hunter (Vice-Chairman), Karen Hagerman (Secretary), and Fred Rohloff (Treasurer).

SCHOLARSHIPS

    The Foundation made its first awards – four scholarships of $1,000 each – in June 2002. Two of the four students were recognized specifically for their musical accomplishments and were named recipients of Clayton and Norma Morrell Scholarships for Music and Vocal Arts.
    Over the years, the number of scholarships awarded each year and the amount of the annual award have increased steadiy. In 2009, nine scholarships were awarded, each for $2,000.
    To date (January 2011), the Foundation has awarded 53 scholarships with a total value of nearly $90,000.
    Applications are invited annually (in January) and academic and arts scholarship awards are then awarded on the basis of merit and need at a club event, usually held on the last Wednesday in May.

    In 2008, the Foundation made its first vocational awards.

APPLICATIONS

    To download the academic and arts scholarship application form, click here.

FUNDRAISING

    In 2009, the Foundation held its first fundraising activity, a Valentine Social and Auction, at the Camden County Boathouse at Cooper River. The event raised more than $18,000. A second Social was held on Friday, February 5, 2010.

GIFTS AND BEQUESTS

    The ability of the Foundation to award meaningful scholarships each year depends entirely upon its success in growing the Permanent Fund.
    Contributions in the form of unrestricted gifts and memorial donations are most welcome. Since the Foundation is operated under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, gifts to the Foundation may be deductible for income- tax purposes.
    Those wishing to discuss potential contributions or bequests should contact Mark Ruggerio, chairman of the Foundation, at 856-428-9664.
    Contributions may be mailed to:
    Rotary Club of Haddonfield Foundation
    PO Box 383, Haddonfield NJ 08033