Rotary is built on service. While much of that service is expressed through the time we give, it can also extend to how we use our resources, relationships, and personal milestones to create impact.
On April 20, 2026, I had the privilege of running the Boston Marathon in support of The Rotary Foundation through Raise for Rotary. Every dollar supported Disease Prevention and Treatment, one of Rotary’s core areas of focus. Supporting Disease Prevention and Treatment made every mile feel connected to something larger than myself. Rotary’s work in this area helps stop the spread of life-threatening diseases such as polio, HIV/AIDS, and malaria, while also improving access to care and strengthening health systems in underserved communities.
Together, my community contributed $14,145, reaching 118% of my $12,000 goal. In total, 58 people contributed, including 19 Rotarians. While the campaign was supported by fellow Rotary members, it also introduced friends, family, and others outside Rotary to the work of The Rotary Foundation.
One of the reasons Raise for Rotary is so meaningful is that members can connect their fundraising to the area of Rotary service that matters most to them. I chose Disease Prevention and Treatment, but campaigns can also support the Polio Fund, Disaster Response Fund, World Fund, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, Community Economic Development, The Environment, Basic Education and Literacy, Maternal and Child Health, and Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention. Each of these options directly benefits The Rotary Foundation and helps advance Rotary’s work around the world.
Looking back on this journey, I am incredibly grateful to everyone who was part of the experience. The Boston Marathon was deeply personal for me. It marked my sixth World Marathon Major and became part of my journey toward turning 40. Running Boston was a goal I had carried for years, but connecting it to Rotary made it mean much more.
This campaign was not simply about running 26.2 miles. It was about using a personal challenge to invite others into Rotary’s work. Every donation, message, and word of encouragement helped turn an individual goal into a shared act of service.
The campaign was made possible through Raise for Rotary, The Rotary Foundation’s official peer-to-peer fundraising platform. Raise for Rotary allows Rotary members, Rotaractors, and supporters to create personalized fundraising pages connected to meaningful occasions. Campaigns can be created by an individual, as mine was, or by a team, allowing a club, family, or group of friends to fundraise together. Many people use Raise for Rotary to celebrate a milestone in life, such as a birthday, wedding, anniversary, athletic challenge, or other meaningful moment.
Choosing a cause, personalizing my page, and setting my goal took under 10 minutes, allowing me to focus on training for the marathon and sharing the campaign with my community. Donations are made directly to The Rotary Foundation, and eligible gifts can count toward Foundation recognition, including Paul Harris Fellow recognition.
Thank you to everyone who helped turn a personal goal into reality. I hope this campaign encourages others to consider how their own milestones might become opportunities for Rotary impact. Members who have questions about Raise for Rotary or would like to discuss creating a campaign of their own are welcome to reach out to me.
From the Grindings Editor: Christopher Wiseman joined our Club in March 2019 and served as Foundation Chair and Vice President of Development in 2020-2021 and Club President in 2022-2023. In Rotary District 5150, Christopher was District Paul Harris Society Coordinator from 2023 to 2026. Since 2024, he has been the president of the San Francisco Rotary Foundation.