Project Funding

Project Funding Information

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Funding for WSC Projects

RF Humanitarian Grants

RF Matching Grants

Contributions to Rotary Foundation

This page contains information that will help World Community Service Committee members understand the funding of international projects using the Rotary Foundation programs. These write-ups were prepared by Joe Looper. These write-ups should be updated anually.

Loaded on July 15, 2006

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Funding for WSC Projects-

Funds from RC of Fort Collins (approved by the Board)

Unlike many Clubs, the RC of Fort Collins does not undertake fund-raisers. Instead, each member is assessed $75/quarter for charitable projects. With 200 members, this amounts to about $60,000 each year. We have asked the Board to allocate ¼ of that for international service projects each year. This year (2006-07) we have been budgeted $15,000. The WCS Committee allocates these funds to various projects during the year, and submits the requests to the Board for information before proceeding with the projects.

Rotary Foundation contributions

Every member of the RC of Fort Collins is asked to contribute to the Rotary Foundation. Quarterly dues statements include the amount pledged, which is often $25/quarter or more. With this amount, the Rotarian becomes a "Paul Harris Sustaining Member", one who promises to contribute at least $100/year to the Foundation. These funds are collected by our Treasurer (Bart Kingham), and turned over to Melanie Chamberlain in the form of a check payable to "The Rotary Foundation". Melanie, Chairman of the Club's Rotary Foundation Committee, transmits the funds to the Foundation with the appropriate documentation. If the contribution is undesignated, it will go into the Annual Fund of the Foundation for general programs. If the member so designates, however, the funds can be applied to a Matching Grant project or to PolioPlus. Each year we encourage members to so designate their contributions, and as a result up to $10,000 additional is made available for MG projects. Melanie also encourages members to complete their PHF ($1,000 total) with whatever amount is necessary, in time for recognition at the annual Foundation dinner in November. This brings in additional funds, which can also be designated to a MG project.

Individual contributions

Some Club (and WCS Committee) members have contributed additional funds for certain projects in which they are especially interested. This may bring in as much as $3,000 to $5,000 additional funds during the year.

SHARE funds

Each year our Rotary District 5440 receives back from the Foundation 50% of the funds contributed by all the District's Clubs three years earlier. These funds are called DDF funds ("District Designated Funds", more commonly referred to as "SHARE" funds), and are available for the District to use in any of several ways, including matching funds for MG projects. Since our Club is a major contributor to the Foundation each year, we have been successful in obtaining SHARE funds for our Foundation Matching Grant projects. Such funds may amount to an additional $8,000 to $10,000 or more each year.

Other Funds

Often, we obtain participation in our projects from other Clubs in District 5440, particularly the other three Rotary Clubs in Fort Collins. This may bring in additional funds. Also, our foreign partner Clubs on WCS projects usually contribute some amount, and many times their District will contribute some SHARE funds.

Foundation Matching Funds

Typically, some significant part of our funds come from the Rotary Foundation in the form of Matching Grants. Currently the Foundation is matching local Club contributions with $0.50 for each dollar, and District SHARE funds $1.00 for each dollar contributed.

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Rotary Foundation Humanitarian Grants-

Matching Grants

International service projects may be funded with Matching Grants, which provide $0.50 for each $1.00 contributed by Rotary Clubs, and $1 for each $1 of District SHARE funds. Foundation funds can be as little as $5,000 (Note: The Foundation will not currently make grants in amounts less than $5,000), or as much as $150,000. The remaining funds must be contributed by local Clubs and/or Districts. Paul Harris Fellow recognition is given to individuals or Clubs for such local contributions. Grants of $25,000 or less are not competitive, and if the project meets the Foundation criteria, they are usually approved. Grant requests for more than $25,000 are competitive, and are approved by the Foundation Trustees twice each year.

3-H Grants

3-H (Health, Hunger, and Humanity) grants are approved for projects costing between $100,000 and $300,000. 10% of the cost must be contributed by the participating Clubs and/or Districts. These projects are very competitive and requests for grants are reviewed by the Trustees once a year. PHF credit is given for local contributions.

Volunteer Service Grants

Volunteer Service grants replace the Carl Miller Discovery Grants, and the Individual Grants, which for the past two years have been suspended. They are once again available, with grants of a flat amount of $3,000 for an individual, and $6,000 for a team of up to five individuals. The grants are approved for exploratory and feasibility studies of potential international service projects. Minimum stay at the project site is 10 days. A Rotarian must lead the group, and spouses are eligible to participate..

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Rotary Foundation Matching Grants-

World Community Service projects may be eligible for Matching Grants from the Rotary Foundation. If approved, the Foundation will provide $0.50 for each $1 of local funds contributed. It will also match $1 for each $1 of District SHARE funds used for the project. Projects must meet the following criteria:

The project must be a new project; funds cannot be used for a project already underway.

The project cannot include the acquisition of real estate. If purchase of land is required, it must be accomplished by the sponsors separately.

The project cannot include construction of substantial buildings, such as schools or hospitals. (Note: Incidental buildings, such as a water storage tank, shed for equipment storage, etc., can be included. The Trustees have also authorized a special program for low-cost housing units, limited to $2,000/unit. There are special requirements for such housing projects; consult with the District WCS Committee before proceeding.)

The project cannot include payment for salaries or other personnel costs.

The project must include participation and support by a Rotary Club in the vicinity of the project, and that support must be indicated by a letter signed by the President of the Club. A minimum of $100 is required from all participating Rotary Clubs.

A detailed budget is required for the project, and items costing more than $1,000 must be supported by pro forma invoices or supplier price quotations.

An individual must be designated as the Primary Contact for the project, with two additional Rotarians listed as Project Contacts #2 and #3. Similar persons must be identified by the co-sponsor Rotary Club in the project country.

If SHARE (DDF) funds are used in funding the project, the approval of the District Rotary Foundation Committee Chairman (PDG Bill Pettus) must be indicated on the application form. In addition, the District Grants Subcommittee Chair (John Henley) must review the application and certify that it is complete, before submittal to the Foundation.

NOTE: Approval of Matching Grant applications usually requires 10 weeks or more, after all required documentation has been received. Grant applications can be submitted from July 15 to March 31 of each Rotary year. Applications received after March 31 will be returned to the Club.

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Contributions to the Rotary Foundation-

The Rotary Foundation has two funds to which contributions can be made: The Annual Programs Fund, and the Permanent Fund. Annual fund contributions support the on-going programs of the Foundation, such as Ambassadorial Scholarships (Satori Morishige, Jeff Runyon), GSE (Group Study Exchange), Matching Grants and 3-H Grants, and PolioPlus. The Permanent Fund serves as an endowment with earnings from the invested funds used for various Foundation programs, but the principal is never spent.

Rotarians contribute to the Annual Fund through amounts included with quarterly Club billings. These funds are collected by Treasurer of our Club and transmitted to Melanie Chamberlain, Chairman of the Foundation Committee. These funds are then forwarded to the Foundation. Melanie makes sure the contributions are credited to each member's own account, which is established in Evanston by the Foundation staff. (Note: You may determine the accumulative amount in your account by contacting Melanie or going on line.) When your contributions reach $1,000, you (or someone you designate) are eligible to receive a Paul Harris Fellow recognition.

Individuals can make additional contributions to the Foundation at any time. But, it is essential that such funds be channeled through Melanie Chamberlain to ensure that you receive proper credit, and that the funds go to the program or activity you have designated. You may designate your contribution for a specific program, such as PolioPlus, or one of the Club's Matching Grant projects. If it is not specifically designated, the money will go into the general fund of the Foundation for use in any of the Foundation programs. If you have any questions or need additional information regarding contributions to the Rotary Foundation, see Melanie, or World Community Service Committee Chairmen Dave Pietenpol or Jim Epstein for suggestions regarding projects to which you may designate your contribution.

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