Giving & Grants

Posted by Bob Ruehl on Aug 09, 2024
Giving & Grants: Take action to create positive change locally and globally.
 
 
Give Every Child a Future program vaccinates 100,000 young people
As a way of celebrating 100 years of Rotary in the region, Rotary members in Australia, New Zealand, and several Pacific Island countries organized a major vaccination program funded partly by The Rotary Foundation. Called Give Every Child a Future, the effort is providing three new vaccines, for rotavirus, pneumococcal bacteria, and human papillomavirus (HPV), to 100,000 children in nine Pacific Island groups. The project is also training health workers and updating equipment, leading to strengthened primary health care and improved vaccine delivery.
 
GIVING UPDATES
The importance of giving

The Rotary Foundation supports a wide range of humanitarian initiatives and other sustainable member-led projects to keep communities healthy and strong. To finance these life-changing projects, our Foundation and leaders like you continue to find ways to secure donations from our members, participants, and supporters.

Trustee Chair Mark Maloney asked leaders around the globe to encourage giving to our Foundation. Watch him discuss the importance of giving.

This month, we’ll focus on thanking our donors. This includes sending special messages for Rotary clubs whose entire membership donated to The Rotary Foundation, recognizing Rotaract clubs that received their Rotaract Giving Certificate, and showing the collective impact that our donors have when they give to our Foundation.

Finally, 8 September is International Literacy Day, when we encourage members to give in support of basic education and literacy projects.

 
GRANT UPDATES
Help desk: Planning for cancer-related projects

Here are a few tips that can help you as you plan a cancer-related project.

  1. Focus. Cancer encompasses various subcategories of the disease, which have diverse screening protocols and treatments. For maximum impact, focus on one type of cancer, and be specific in your approach to it.
  2. Goals. When performing a community assessment and talking with participants, consider the national government’s recommendations for the type of cancer you’re targeting and build your project accordingly. Have a clear idea of the change you want the project to achieve.
  3. Treatment. We all know that it’s important to detect cancer early. But patients also need quick and easy access to treatment. If your project offers cancer screening, make sure it can also direct people who are diagnosed to treatment or offer other significant support. For treatment projects, make sure your plan anticipates the diverse needs of the patients and is not limited to one-time interventions.
  4. Measures. Consider how you might measure the project’s impact on people’s lives, not just the number of screening sessions, access to equipment, or patients treated. Could you measure the number of deaths from a certain type of cancer in the area before and after your project?  

Write to your regional grants officer if you have questions.

 
Programs of Scale news

We are excited to announce the 2024 Programs of Scale grant recipient, Partners for Water Access and Better Harvests in India. The Rotary-led initiative aims to help more than 60,000 farmers through sustainable farming practices such as rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, and the planting of native species and fruit trees.  

Watch this video to learn more about the 2023 Programs of Scale award recipient, United to End Cervical Cancer in Egypt. The program aims to vaccinate 32,000 girls against HPV and screen 10,000 women for cervical cancer in greater Cairo with the help of the Egyptian Ministry of Health and other key partners.

 
Updated FAQ on District Designated Funds rollover limit

Starting 1 July 2026, unused District Designated Funds from 2020-21 and earlier will be applied at the district’s discretion to the PolioPlus Fund, Rotary Peace Centers, the Endowment Fund, the Disaster Response Fund, or the World Fund. For more information, read our updated frequently asked questions, and send any other questions you have about DDF to share@rotary.org.

 
Do you know any accountants who speak Arabic? Encourage them to apply to join the Cadre!

We are seeking Arabic speakers for the financial auditing team of The Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers. Interested Rotary members can go to the Grant Center and click Cadre to apply, or write to cadre@rotary.org for more information.

 
RESOURCES & REFERENCE
Learning Center courses

These learning plans are required for district Rotary Foundation chairs and recommended for all members of the district Rotary Foundation committee:


Starting 1 July 2025, if DRFCs haven’t completed these courses in the Learning Center, their districts won’t be eligible to receive Rotary grants.

 
Make a difference with four types of grants

The Making a Difference With Rotary Grants flyer compares four types of Rotary Foundation grants. Share it with members to inspire them to apply for Rotary grants and to answer some of their questions.

 
 

Does your district have a district resource network? These teams of experts advise clubs on projects of all types, including those that are funded by Rotary Foundation grants and those that are funded in other ways. District resource networks can include: 

A 2023 survey of district Rotary Foundation chairs and international service chairs found that more than 90% of those in districts that have district resource networks think that the networks improved grant applications in their districts and made members feel more connected to what’s happening with projects and grants. Contact your district international service chair to connect with experts and strengthen your projects. Learn more about district resource networks.

 
Celebrate people of action with Rotary’s Service Awards

Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation offer many awards to recognize members, nonmembers, alumni, and clubs for their contributions and impact. The newly updated Rotary’s Service Awards reference sheet lists Rotary awards and includes information about nominations, eligibility criteria, and due dates, as well as images of awards. Write to riawards@rotary.org with any questions.

 
Share ideas and inspire people at the Rotary International Convention

Do you have an idea or a project that you want to tell the wider Rotary community about? Breakout sessions at the Rotary International Convention can inspire participants, help them polish their leadership skills, and give them new ideas for projects, fundraising, strengthening membership, and more.

Visit the Breakout Sessions page of convention.rotary.org to propose your idea. Write to conventionbreakouts@rotary.org if you have questions.