The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona was officially incorporated January 9, 1991.  This followed work by the original founders during 1990 to organize so they could incorporate as a non-profit charitable foundation.  

 

In April of 1992, TRVFA was recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charitable foundation.  

 

The founders worked with leaders in all three Arizona Rotary Districts at the time to go through a process to have TRVFA be authorized as an ongoing joint district project in the State of Arizona.  To qualify for this status, the District Governors of all three districts as well as the District Governor Nominees signed documentation certifying that at least two-thirds of all Rotary Clubs in each of the three districts  had elected to support their districts' participation in the multidistrict activity.   On October 7, 1993, Spencer Robinson, Jr., who was the General Secretary of Rotary International at that time, signed a document certifying that the Rotary International Board of Directors had authorized Districts 5490, 5500, and 5510 to continue to be organized and conduct  this multidistrict service activity.  For readers who enjoy Rotary history and would like to see a copy of this historic document, CLICK HERE.

 

The current Board of Directors of TRVFA has established an ambitious fundraising goal for this anniversary year of $300,000, with the hope of growing beyond each successive year going forward.

 

Donations to TRVFA qualify for the Arizona income tax credit for donations to a Qualifying Charitable Organization (QCO code is 20698).  For most donors, their donation may not cost them anything in the long run.  Since they receive a dollar for dollar credit on their state income tax - they will either pay an equally smaller amount when they file their tax return or receive a larger refund.

For TRVFA to qualify as a Qualifying Charitable Organization, grant recipients must meet specific low income guidelines and reside in the State of Arizona.
 

The vocational education grants provided by TRVFA are currently limited to $2,000 per scholar in order to be able to serve more students.  The majority of vocational education programs cost considerably more than that amount.   The board has set the ambitious fundraising goal with the hope of increasing that maximum grant amount.  

 

TRVFA is the only Qualifying Charitable Organization in Arizona which was formed by Rotarians to work together on a multi-district on-going Vocational Service project.  Still managed by Rotary Volunteers, it is hoped that recognition of this 30-year anniversary will be a point of pride, and Rotarians will advocate for support within their clubs and in each Rotarian's circle of influence.  

 

TRVFA grants literally enable the recipients to lift themselves out of poverty,   Help someone help themself.  Go to trvfa.org and click DONATE NOW.