Report to District 7780
The ShareForever 7780 Million Dollar Challenge
November 1, 2023 – June 30, 2025
Rotary Foundation Endowment Campaign
By: ShareForever 7780 Team
ShareForever 7780 honored our donors at a
March 2025 thank-you event. Some of our team:
TRF Senior Major Gift Officer Celeste Herbert, Past Rotary International Director Bryn Styles, Dover Rotary President Harry Cheney, Past District Governor Marion Cheney, Past Rotary Foundation Chair, Vice Chair and Trustee Brenda Cressey,
Past District Governor Dave Underhill, and
Rotary Foundation Trustee Marty Helman.
We are proud to report the resounding success of The ShareForever 7780 Million Dollar Challenge. Launched with the ambitious goal of raising $1 million to meet a challenge match, the campaign far surpassed expectations, culminating in a remarkable $5,242,407 in total contributions, pledges and planned commitments. This outcome is a testament to the generosity of the Rotary members in our district, the strength of our Rotary mission, and the trust that Rotarians have in our Foundation’s work and transparency.
The ShareForever 7780 Million Dollar Challenge was created when our generous donors, Brenda (Ogunquit Rotary) and Dick Cressey made their initial donation and challenge of $1 million dollars. A planning committee was formed and developed the following primary objectives:
Raise $1 million to support critical community development, education, and humanitarian initiatives.
Engage a broader donor base, emphasizing transparency, impact, and inclusion.
Raise awareness of the long-term goals and sustainability projects supported in our district thanks to this ShareForever Challenge.
Results at a Glance
Endowment fundraising total: $5,242,407
Current gift portion $400,907
Pledges $126,000
Planned expectancies $4,715,500*
*In most cases, the term refers to commitments made in a will or trust that will be realized upon the passing of the donors or beneficiaries.
Number of new and incremental donors: 55 (in many cases, this number is a “couple”)
Number of district Rotary clubs with at least one campaign donor: 23 clubs, 59%
Endowment Fund Designations:
SHARE $2,545,768. When realized, half of this endowment’s income returns to our district, which at a 5% yield rate would reflect nearly $64,000 each year, every year, forever. A matching amount (the other half of SHARE) goes to the World Fund.
Peace Centers $1,276,564
World Fund $160,075
Other named funds and contributions: $1,260,000
Total future annual impact at a nominal 5% yield rate: $262,120…forever.
We credit much of the success to the compelling storytelling of our ambassadors and committee members during fireside chats that were held around the district. The real-world impact stories fostered trust and deepened emotional connections. Following the Cresseys’ generosity, the continuation of matching contributions, including the donations from PDG Marion and Harry Cheney, of the Dover Rotary Club, encouraged exponential giving. Leadership from our ten-member steering committee, the many ambassadors and Foundation Trustee Marty Helman were invaluable.
What your generosity has created
The impact of the donations raised will be seen well beyond our lifetimes. Thanks to the $5.242 million raised, ShareForever can now:
- Expand funding for District and Global Grants.
- Fund scholarships for Peace Scholars.
- Launch new sustainability projects focused on clean water, food security, and healthcare access.
- Strengthen long-term infrastructure, ensuring that the impact is both immediate and enduring.
We extend our deepest gratitude to every individual and family that contributed.
Special thanks go to:
Matching Gift Partners: Brenda and Dick Cressey, Marion and Harry Cheney, whose support doubled the power of every donation.
The 7780 ShareForever Co-Chairs: David and Linda Underhill and Marion and Harry Cheney for their leadership, along with the entire ShareForever Steering Committee for their hard work and dedication.
The ShareForever Ambassadors, who mobilized local fireside chats and met with Rotarians to answer questions and share the important news of the challenge.
The Rotary Foundation support team, in particular Celeste Herbert, Senior Major Gift Officer for Zone 32.
What began as a bold challenge has become a powerful movement. Surpassing our $1 million goal by over 400% is more than a milestone—it's a message: when people come together around a shared vision, there is no limit to what we can achieve. Together, we didn’t just meet the challenge. We redefined what’s possible.
Submitted with huge gratitude by the ShareForever 7780 team.
September 8, 2025
Information reflects campaign tracking by our team and preliminary yearend numbers from the Rotary Foundation, unaudited at this writing and subject to possible revision.