Each year the Rotary Club of Keene distributes grants to local non-profit organizations in an amount up to $1,500 for objectives to benefit youth within the Monadnock Service area. Keene Rotary Club grants are for new initiatives, projects or programs and not for general operations support. RFPs will be announced in January.
To apply for a grant, the request must include specifics about the impact on the community as well as the benefits of the project or program.
Only requests following the published guidelines will be considered. Guidelines are found below, or request a copy by emailing Info@KeeneRotary.org .
Complete proposals should be mailed to the Rotary Club of Keene: Community Reinvestment Committee, PO Box 126, Keene, NH 03431-0126 or by email at info@keenerotary.org.
KEENE ROTARY CLUB COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT FUNDING GUIDELINES
Community Reinvestment Grants are primarily for new initiatives or projects with the objective of benefiting youth within the Keene Rotary Club service area. Proposals for general community benefit may be considered, however youth grants will be given priority funding.
Grant requests from collaborating organizations working jointly to carry out a project or mission, or those focused on diverse or disadvantaged populations are especially welcome.
Geographic Focus: Grants are made to non-profit organizations in the City of Keene and the surrounding communities within the western Monadnock region and are expected to focus on individuals and communities within this region. Specific communities eligible for this grant are:
Alstead Marlborough Surry
Chesterfield Marlow Swanzey
Fitzwilliam Nelson Troy
Gilsum Richmond Walpole
Harrisville Roxbury Westmoreland
Hinsdale Stoddard Winchester
Keene Sullivan
Criteria:
In all applications for funding, the non-profit’s request must articulate what the expected impact of the funded program will be, not just provide a wish-list to be funded
- Applications for Community Reinvestment grants must indicate how the grant will improve the lives of the those being served through the initiative or project.
- Grants are to be used for projects or initiatives, rather than for general operating purposes.
Grant Amounts: Grants up to $1,500 will be considered. Organizations should expect to spend the funds within 6-12 months although exceptions may be granted in unusual circumstances. Any organization receiving funds from either grant pool may not apply for either type of grant in the following grant cycle if a stewardship report has been submitted in a timely manner.
Grant Timing: Requests for Proposals shall be issued annually at the beginning of the calendar year. Funds may be used at any time during the year. Rotary will endeavor to adhere as close as possible to the following schedule:
- Request for Grant Proposals to be issued in January.
- Proposals due no later than the end of business on the last day of February.
- Committee decisions to be made no later than March 31.
- Notifications to grant recipients by April 30. Funds will be issued shortly thereafter.
- Follow-up stewardship reports due by Nov 1 unless the proposal includes a request for a longer timeline, in which case they will be due by a date stipulated to the individual organization when the grant is made.
Information Required in Grant Application: Grant applications may be in any format but should be succinct (no more than 2 pages, not including the budget.) They should include the following information:
- Pool of Funds: indicate whether you are applying for a Success by Six grant or a Community Reinvestment grant.
- Project Summary: what are the funds to be used for and why?
- Impact: what difference will the funds make to the children or individuals being served and how will you know that the funds have been effective?
- Agency Overview: who is carrying out the work and why are they best qualified to do it? How does the intended use of the grant differ from work being done by other organizations in this region?
- Grant Time-line: Is there a particular time when the grant funds will be needed to carry out the project for which the organization is applying?
- Amount being requested and whether it is part of a larger project or standalone; if part of a larger project, please provide a summary budget for the entire project.
- Contact Information of grant recipient, including non-profit tax identification number.
Reporting Required of Grantees: Organizations receiving grants must provide a one-page stewardship report as outlined above. This report should briefly outline what specifically the funds were expended upon and when, and what the outcome/impact of the funding has been. Consideration for future grants will be contingent upon timely receipt of grant reports.
Contact Information for Rotary Success by Six and Community Reinvestment Grants: Info@KeeneRotary.org designating in the subject line which grant process is the topic of your email.