The Manitowoc Sunrise Rotary Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit, non-partisan, non-sectarian and non-political corporation (6/23/1995) that is organized and operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes. The club created the Foundation in December, 1994 and it was granted 501 (c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service in November, 1995. The Foundation also has a Certificate of Exempt Status from the state of Wisconsin (4/25/2007) which exempts the Foundation from paying state sales and use taxes.
 
The Club raises funds, which are deposited to the Foundation, to finance its various local charitable and educational projects. The Foundation Board prepares and expends an annual charitable budget based primarily on available financial resources from the previous club year.
 
In 2007, the Club initiated Happy Dollars, with proceeds deposited to the foundation for shelter box purchases. In October of 2010, the Board redefined the use of those funds to international projects.
 
For international projects of the Club, the Foundation has several sources additional sources of revenue. The 50/50 raffle was created in 1993 to provide funds for world community service projects. In addition, $7.50 per quarter of each member’s dues is allocated to the Foundation for international projects. The foundation places a priority on projects that qualify for Paul Harris credit and matching funds.