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. Requests For Proposals are announced each 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.
Grants from the Rotary Club of Keene are available to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. It is the policy of the Club that grants shall be directed to organizations whose work immediately benefits residents of Keene and abutting towns. Special emphasis will be placed on supporting those organizations addressing the needs of local youth.
It is the policy of the Club that grants shall not be used to advance any religious or political purpose. This policy is in keeping with the Club’s non-sectarian, non-partisan philosophy, however, grants outside of this policy are not expressly prohibited but would be made only in special circumstances by approval of the Board of Directors.
The Keene Rotary members have autonomy applying the funding guidelines but follow them in the vast majority of cases.
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
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 may not apply for either type of grant in the following grant cycle if a stewardship report has not 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 Dec 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, including program description and number of expected participants.
- 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?
- Grant Time-line: When the grant funds will be needed to carry out the project?
- Amount being requested How the requested amount fits into the total project budget.
- Sources of other funding expected/applied for.
- Contact Information of grant recipient, including non-profit tax identification number. Copy of IRS approval of tax-deductible status for first time applicants.
- Other relevant information.
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, number of participants, and what the outcome/impact of the funding has been. Consideration for future grants will be contingent upon 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. Complete proposals may be mailed to the Rotary Club of Keene: PO Box 126, Keene, NH 03431-0126 or by email at info@keenerotary.org, designating Success by Six or Community Reinvestment.