The Permanent Fund ensures The Rotary Foundation's ability to meet the urgent needs of the future through an endowment. An endowed contribution is a gift that the Foundation holds in perpetuity. The gift is invested, and only a portion of its investment return is used for purposes specified by the donor. To guard against inflation, the remaining investment return is added to the principal. The goal is to ensure that the principal maintains its real value over time. Thus, gifts to the Permanent Fund will grow and continue to support The Rotary Foundation for years to come.