Foundation Recognition Points Fact Sheet
 
Foundation Recognition Points Fact Sheet

What are Foundation Recognition Points (FRPs)?

FRP's are contribution credits that can be transferred from one Rotary account to another. They are used to increase the Recognition Amount of the account holder. Effective 1 July 2009, a minimum of 100 points must be transferred at a time. These changes are intended to simplify the recognition program and, therefore, make the Foundation a more efficient, timely and cost -effective steward of the gifts of many Rotarian and non-Rotarian donors.

What are Recognition Amounts?

An individual's Recognition Amount grows in two ways:
  1. When that individual makes a cash contribution to the Annual Programs Fund, Polio Plus, or a TRF approved Matching Grant (contributions to the Permanent Fund are not eligible)
  2. When FRP's are transferred to the individual's account
Transfers can occur only between individuals or from a club or district to an individual account. The individual can, but does not need to be a Rotarian. When an individual reaches a personal Recognition Amount of US$1,000 or multiples of US$1,000, they become eligible for Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) recognition or Multiple Paul Harris Fellow recognition respectively.

A Point for Every Dollar:

After an individual has accumulated US$1,000 in Recognition Amount and has become a PHF, he or she is eligible to receive one Foundation Recognition Point for every US Dollar contributed to the Annual Programs Fund, Polio Plus, or approved Matching Grant. For example: a Rotarian (has a total recognition amount of $1,000) makes a $2,000 contribution to the Annual Programs Fund. This Rotarian has achieved a PHF+2. Their Recognition Amount is $3,000 and they earned 2,000 Foundation Recognition Points which are now available to designate/transfer to help someone else achieve their PHF or Multiple PHF by simply completing a Recognition and Transfer Request form (102-EN).

An individual receives Foundation Recognition Points only for outright personal contributions and only after they have become a Paul Harris Fellow. Transfers made into individuals' accounts, such as club and district transfers and/or matches or gifts made in their name (any gift that is not directly given by them), increase their (PHF) Recognition Amount but do not earn/accrue FRPs.

Gifts made to the Permanent Fund or Rotary International programs are not eligible for FRPs

Rotary clubs and districts receive FRPs immediately and need not reach the $1000 Recognition Amount before being eligible.

How can a Rotarian use their FRPs?

FRPs can be used at a Rotarian's discretion to assist someone else in becoming a Paul Harris Fellow or Multiple Paul Harris Fellow. For example, a Rotarian who has achieved Paul Harris Fellow status may choose to honor their spouse or child as a PHF by transferring 1,000 FRPs, to name the honoree as a PHF. A Rotarian could assist a fellow Rotarian in their club to become a PHF by transferring some of their FRPs to them. Some clubs effectively use FRPs to help new members begin their annual Foundation commitment. These clubs "match" a contribution by a new member with a specified number of FRPs. This use of FRPs has successfully instilled a passion for the new club member to annually contribute to The Rotary Foundation. FRPs cannot be used personally to increase one's own Recognition Amount since the FRPs are already included/reflected in the individual's total Recognition Amount. FRPs can only be used to credit someone else.

Foundation Recognition Points (FRPs):
  • Can only be transferred into individual accounts
  • Cannot be transferred to the club or district to be used by the Club President or District Governor
  • Only generate from cash contributions once an individual becomes a PHF
  • Can only be transferred directly to a recipient. (i.e. An existing PHF makes a contribution of $500. The existing PHF wants to make their spouse a PHF. The club will match the contribution with 500 points to help the spouse achieve their PHF. The points will be transferred directly to the spouse, not to the donor of the $500 contribution).
  • The individual, club president or district governor need to complete and submit a signed Recognition Transfer Form (102-EN). The form must be signed by the account holder. Alternatively, TRF will accept a copy of a letter from the account holder authorizing transfers from his/her points balance that others (i.e. Club President) can send in with each transfer request.
  • Cannot be transferred twice; When a donor transfers his/her points to another's account, the points are added to the recipients "Recognition Amount" balance. They are not reflected in the recipient's available Foundation Recognition Points balance. The Recognition Amount balance is only used to calculate PHF eligibility. This balance accumulates through personal outright contributions and receiving point transfers from others. This balance is NOT used to calculate eligibility for Major Donor status.

Can Clubs or Districts accumulate FRPs?

Yes. Clubs and districts accumulate FRPs by contributing to the Annual Programs Fund, PolioPlus, or approved Matching Grant without naming a recipient. These contributions create FRPs in the club or district account. Similar to individual Rotarians, the club or district FRPs are often used as a "match" to encourage Rotarians to make personal cash contributions to The Rotary Foundation.
  • FRPs accumulated by the District can be transferred only with the Signature of the District Governor.
  • FRPs accumulated by the Club can be transferred only with the Signature of the Club President.
Can a business or organization become a Paul Harris Fellow?

No. Paul Harris Fellow awards are issued only to individuals. However, businesses and organizations can be recognized for contributions of US$1,000 or more with a Certificate of Appreciation.

Can a deceased individual become a Paul Harris Fellow?

Yes. A donor can recognize a deceased individual by requesting a Memorial PHF.

Can FRPs of deceased Rotarians be transferred?

No. As of 1 July 2009, FRPs of deceased Rotarians expire unless the deceased is a Major Donor in which case, the spouse maintains control of the FRPs during their lifetime.

Do Foundation Recognition Points count towards Major Donor recognition?

No. Only cumulative personal outright contributions count towards Major Donor Recognition.