RTBE Golden Fleece

Association: Round Table Belgium
Category: International Service / Award Fund
Status: Active since 1971
Main Website: roundtable.be

Have you ever stared at the Round Table Belgium logo and wondered:
“Is that a golden sheep? A fancy goat? A decorative pretzel?”

Well, close — but it’s actually the Golden Fleece, and it represents one of the most meaningful legacies of Round Table Belgium: a tradition of honor, solidarity, and international community service. And yes — it even has its own Foundation.

“The donation was anonymous. The impact was anything but.”

— Reflecting on the Foundation’s launch in 1971

A Bold Beginning – 1971

In 1971, a Belgian senior Tabler made an anonymous donation of 1 million Belgian francs (approx. €25,000). Back then? That could buy a whole house.

His vision: support humanitarian projects through an annual prize of $2,000, awarded over 10 years to clubs within the World Council network. Thus began the Golden Fleece Fund.

Milestones

- 1973 – First awards at WOCO Rimini (e.g. Louis Marchesi Clinic, Lebanon)
- 1975 – Management entrusted to the Service-Club ASBL
- 1982 – Name changed to Golden Fleece Foundation
- 1983 – Becomes official ASBL; anonymous donor revealed: Paul Hottlet

Purpose & Principles

The Foundation supports impactful projects aligned with three criteria:

- General Value: Broad humanitarian relevance
- Urgency: Pressing needs in underserved areas
- Commitment: Significant effort already made by the applicant club

100% of funds go to the project. No admin costs. No detours.

Eligibility & Application

- Open to any club in the World Council
- Application deadline: March 31st
- Nominations accepted from other clubs
- Award presented at the World Council AGM

Impact Projects

Examples of Golden Fleece–backed initiatives:

- 🍲 Feeding lepers in Zambia
- 🏫 Supporting Indian orphanages (10,000 BEF = 1 child/year)
- 🏡 Developing sustainable villages in Malawi

Who Has Received the Golden Fleece?

Over the decades, the Golden Fleece Foundation has supported dozens of incredible projects across the world — from schools and hospitals to community clinics and disaster relief. These awards aren’t just about money — they represent recognition, validation, and international encouragement.

You can find the full historical list of winners, year by year, here:

➡️ Golden Fleece Foundation Award Winners

“RT Belgium, aren’t you the Golden Fleece guys?”

— A WOCO joke during the 80’s

Foundation Quick Facts

Item	Details
Founded	1971 (Fund) / 1983 (ASBL)
Founder	Paul Hottlet, RT Antwerp 2
Funding	Belgian Tablers + private donors
Annual Grant	Minimum €3,000
Next Deadline	March 31st
Latest Project	Project Senegal – RT Italy

Legacy & Remembrance

Founder Paul Hottlet passed away in 2011. President of RT Antwerp 2 in 1966, he quietly funded the Golden Fleece for over a decade before ever accepting credit.

“Not millions — just meaning.”

The Golden Fleece doesn’t change the world with scale — but with heart, and legacy.