About Rotary International

January 20, 2021

Rotary International is a global organization in a globally- and community-minded city. “We are a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends and community volunteers. Likewise, ECF is community-minded and recognizes the importance of a broad-minded, global perspective,” said Jane Lawicki, Rotary’s External Relations Manager.

More than 80 percent of Evanston residents have heard of Rotary and think of Rotary as a civic, charitable, and networking organization. This is important to Rotary International. It is so important that Lawicki knew that sponsoring the Evanston Community Foundation’s Celebrate!Evanston was a natural partnership. “Having our world headquarters based in Evanston, we wanted to be a good neighbor and express our appreciation for the community.”

With support from Rotary International and several corporate partners, ECF shifted its annual Celebrate!Evanston event online and raised funds for local nonprofit partners. Numerous Evanston-based members of Rotary actively participated in the gala online with supportive comments.

Rotary International supports 35,000 clubs in 200 countries and regions. The two Rotary clubs in Evanston are filled with local community leaders. “We hope to grow our clubs and their participation in the Evanston community and lead by example for other organizations to support our neighbors,” Lawicki said. “We want more Evanstonians to be aware of Evanston’s and Rotary’s history of humanitarian, community work. And recognize that anyone in Evanston can easily help connect the local to the global.”