Last week’s program featured our own Dave Sargent, president of the Rotary Club of Cameron Park Community Foundation (CPRCF) board, and RI International Foundation Chair Gary Clarke. The meeting also served as the CPRCF’s annual meeting, during which the 2025 annual meeting minutes were approved and two expiring board positions were filled. Congratulations to Dave Sargent and Don Fuller, who were re-elected to the board.
Dave reminded members that all Cameron Park Rotarians are automatically members of the CPRCF. He then reviewed the purpose of the CPRCF, which is to receive gifts and bequests and maintain a permanent endowment fund from which distributions can be made for charitable, scientific and educational purposes customarily supported by the Rotary Club of Cameron Park. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation, making contributions tax deductible. Its board members are all volunteers, resulting in no administrative costs to the foundation.
Dave also discussed the many programs and organizations supported through the CPRCF, including club-designated funds for international, community and youth service projects; school-related programs such as the Dictionary Project, Student of the Quarter and Ponderosa High School Interact Club; the Rotary Club of Cameron Park Community Observatory; and the Darol Rasmussen Endowment Fund for vocational grants.
The CPRCF awards two types of grants supported by earnings from the Darol Rasmussen Endowment Fund. Rasmussen Vocational Grants are available to graduating seniors on the western slope of El Dorado County as well as adults pursuing vocational careers. The Perseverance Grant is a major award of more than $10,000 for a graduating student who has overcome significant personal obstacles and whose financial circumstances might otherwise prevent continued education. Because of the size of the award, the Perseverance Grant is generally presented every other year, with two grants planned for next year.
Dave reported that the foundation currently has assets totaling $506,720, with its investments managed by member Gary Gall. Among the grants awarded for 2026-27 were six $2,000 vocational scholarships, payable over two years, to students pursuing fields ranging from nursing and culinary arts to wildlife management and business. The foundation also supports a medical assistant training partnership with Marshall Medical and the El Dorado County Office of Education. At the most recent District Conference, the CPRCF was recognized with the district’s RAVE Award for vocational service excellence.
Dave then turned the program over to Rotary International Foundation Chair Gary Clarke, who explained the distinction between our local CPRCF and The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. Both are charitable foundations to which members can make tax-deductible contributions, but The Rotary Foundation supports Rotary’s work worldwide.
Gary reviewed five major avenues for giving through The Rotary Foundation: the Annual Fund-SHARE, PolioPlus Fund, World Fund, Endowment Fund and Disaster Response Fund. He briefly explained the purpose of each and discussed expectations for both clubs and districts. Through the Annual Fund-SHARE program, a portion of contributions returns to the district three years later to help fund grant projects for which local clubs may apply. Gary noted that the district is working to simplify what has traditionally been a cumbersome grant application process.
As foundation chair, Gary said one of his goals is to encourage every member to contribute to at least one Rotary Foundation fund and, ultimately, for every club member to become a Paul Harris Fellow. He also discussed ways members can contribute, including online giving and automatic recurring donations.
Dave and Gary encouraged members to consider supporting both the CPRCF and The Rotary Foundation as part of their charitable giving. Their presentations also offered members something to think about: How do we balance local and international priorities in our giving, and should both our club foundation and The Rotary Foundation be included in our annual charitable giving plans?
Thank you, Dave and Gary, for an informative and inspiring program.