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Giving & Grants
November 2016 | Take action to create positive change locally and globally
How Rotary Ideas brings projects to life

Members of the Rotary Club of Montego Bay, Jamaica, identified a need in their community and wanted to do something about it, but they lacked the funds to tackle the problem on their own. Read about their use of Rotary Ideas to raise funds for the project, which ultimately led to a global grant to provide 11 schools and a children's home with proper indoor bathroom facilities and drinking water.

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Giving updates

Improving access to education through our Foundation

It’s an astonishing figure: 57 million children worldwide are not in school. Improving access to education is a key to breaking the cycle of poverty, and Rotarians are working to do just that. Using grants from The Rotary Foundation, members partner with communities to provide affordable textbooks, to integrate technology into the classroom, and to ensure that students have access to clean water. See for yourself how the Foundation is changing the world through education. And help by promoting your club’s education-related activities and by donating during Rotary Foundation Month.

Support Rotary on Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is a day dedicated worldwide to celebrating generosity. On 29 November, join those committed to making a difference by giving to The Rotary Foundation online. It’s also a great way to help your club reach its centennial giving goals.

Grant updates

Expenses alert for U.S.-bound scholars

Clubs and districts sponsoring global grants for scholarships should be aware of a change in procedure made by the Trustees that goes into effect in January. Under U.S. tax law, The Rotary Foundation must withhold tax from global grant scholarships awarded for study in the U.S. on any expenses beyond tuition, books, necessary equipment, and fees. Historically, the Foundation has been absorbing the cost of such withholdings, but beginning on 1 January, the amount will instead be deducted from the scholarship payment. So clubs and districts should advise scholars to limit their budgets to tuition, books, necessary equipment, and fees. Note, though, that this change doesn’t apply to U.S.-bound scholars from Japan, Canada, and Germany, who are funded through associate foundations in those countries.

Low-cost shelters and simple schools will be eligible for global grant funding

For three years beginning 1 January, clubs and districts will be able to use global grants for the construction of low-cost shelters and simple schools, under a change approved by Foundation Trustees in September. However, the construction must be a part of a comprehensive project related to an area of focus. For example, such construction could be part of a project that includes vocational training and job placement assistance that’s designed to lift families out of poverty, or it could be part of a larger, comprehensive effort to educate children. Construction by itself will not be eligible for global grants. More information will be coming soon about how to create a global grant project that includes construction of low-cost shelters and simple schools.

Changes coming to the grant application

Watch for the debut in December of the Grant Center, which will feature both a new look and a streamlined grant application

Centennial grant recognition

The Rotary Foundation’s centennial celebration will include recognition of major achievements related to its programs, including the important work that Rotary clubs and districts carry out using Foundation grants. Here’s a certificate template that districts can use to recognize outstanding district grant-funded projects completed in 2015-16.

Also, the Centennial Celebration Committee selected several noteworthy global grants completed in 2015-16 to be highlighted at the Atlanta convention in June. Here is the list of grants selected.


A FRESH APPROACH ON CLUB MEMBERSHIP
Rotary International

Give your members a meaningful Rotary experience by offering them opportunities to make a positive difference and connect with others. The following resources can help:



LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ROTARY FOUNDATION CENTENNIAL

The Rotary Foundation turns 100 in 2016-17! Our Foundation stands at the forefront of humanitarian service, having supported thousands of projects to provide clean water, fight disease, promote peace, and provide basic education — as well as the historic project dedicated to eradicating polio worldwide.

Learning opportunity

Grant Management Seminar Leader’s Guide

Anyone who’s planning a grant management seminar should check out the wealth of resources included in the Grant Management Seminar Leader’s Guide. It contains everything you need to hold a successful training session on managing Rotary grants. And watch for an updated guide coming in April.


Resources & reference

Rotary Foundation Reference Guide
Guide to Global Grants
Rotary Ideas
Every Rotarian, Every Year club presentation
Online grant tool 


Giving & Grants is a quarterly publication with information to help you support Rotary's work through your contributions and grant-funded activities.

Send questions and comments to rotarysupportcenter@rotary.org

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