It’s time to start thinking about your club’s District Grant for the 2019-2020 Rotary Year. This coming year District 5520 will have over $114,200 to distribute for district grants; this is nearly $30,000 more than we had during the 2016-2017 Rotary Year and nearly twice as much as we had this year.
How much could your club expect for a grant for the 2019-2020 Rotary Year? Your club’s grant is based on your giving during the 2016-2017 Rotary Year AND whether or not your club achieves $100/capita THIS YEAR.
- Your minimum grant (baseline) will be 15% of your 2016-2017 Annual Fund (AF) giving;
- BUT, if your club achieves $100/capita (i.e., your 1 July 2018 membership * $100.00) THIS YEAR then you’ll get an equal share of the $56,000 “pot” with all other clubs that also achieved $100/capita… a share is typically at least $1,000.00; AND,
- Because your club achieved $100/capita this year, you’ll also share in the “sweep-up” (i.e., all of the unclaimed district grant funds)… this usually amounts to at least $1,000 per club…
- The more appealing your project is often results in a greater award; so ask for what you want and the Foundation Committee will distribute what they have.
As of 3 March 2019, 10 clubs have achieved $100/capita; clubs have until 30 June to complete their AF giving.
So, what must you do to get a district grant? Your club must:
- Be in good standing with Rotary International and the District
- Be current on Rotary International and District 5520 dues
- Be current on all Global and District Grant reporting
- Be current on your IRS-990 reporting
- Have AT LEAST TWO members attend Grant Management Training. most of which will be online, evening session using Zoom. (See the associated article with training dates/times.) Training will also be presented at District Conference on Thursday, 2 May 2019)
- And, of course, complete the agreements and the project application
I have some questions:
- What if my club wasn’t chartered in 2016-2017?
- Your baseline will be established at $249.00.
- Where do I find how much we gave in 2016-2017?
- Look at your club’s Foundation page in Rotary Club Central or ask District Rotary Foundation Chair (DRFC) Dom Bernardi, District Grant Subcommittee Chair (DGSC) A.C. Sanders, III, or Assistant Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator (ARRFC) Tom Walker.
- When will I find out how much money was approved for my grant?
- The Foundation Committee usually completes its deliberations in early July.
- Does my club have to match the district grant?
- NO, but many clubs elect to do so to maximize their district grant project.
- When can my club start work on its project?
- Your project must be approved by The Rotary Foundation; starting work before you actually have money in hand is a risk that you may choose to take.
For more information, contact DRFC Dom Bernardi (505-688-3645 or dbernardi@q.com) or DGSC A.C. Sanders, III (915-584-4673 or acsandersiii@sbcglobal.net).
