Rotary Giving & Grants: New Grant Center

Posted by Sean Paddy on Feb 04, 2017
 
 
Learn about the new Grant Center: In December, Rotary debuted the new Grant Center, which features both a new look and a streamlined grant application. You can learn more about the new system in How to Use the Grant Center. In April, RI will also host a webinar to introduce new users to the Grant Center.

 
 
 
Did you know that you can use the Grant Center to find all of the grants sponsored by your district, whether or not your club is involved? It’s easy. First, sign in to My Rotary and navigate to the Grant Center. Click Grant Search, top right. That will take you to a page that has a search bar you can use to search by grant number or grant title. You can also search by area of focus. This search feature also lets you see your district’s district grant. Please tell others in your club about this, and let them know that learning about the district’s other grants is a good thing to do before beginning any new projects.

Watch for additional improvements in the coming months.
 
 
Join a moderated area of focus discussion group
 
Rotary discussion groups offer a place for Rotarians, Rotaractors, Rotary Peace Fellows, and alumni to share their experiences and ideas with members of the Rotary family from around the world. We invited members of the Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers, a group of volunteer Rotarians who provide technical expertise to Rotarians planning and carrying out projects, to moderate the area of focus discussion groups from 15 January until 30 June. Whether you want to pursue a global grant or learn how to do a community needs assessment, our experts can answer your questions.

You can get to all of the discussion groups on My Rotary once you sign in. Join an existing group or start a conversation today!
 
 
Global grant funding for low-cost shelters and simple schools
 
For three years beginning 1 January, clubs and districts will be able to use global grants to build low-cost shelters and simple schools. The construction must be a part of a comprehensive project related to an area of focus. More information will be available on My Rotary soon.
 
 
Submitting global grant scholarship applications
 
Plan ahead for your scholars! If you’re sponsoring a global grant scholar who will begin studies in August, September, or October 2017, we need your application no later than 30 June. June, July, and August are the busiest months for scholarship applications, and each year, some students miss out on scholarships because their Rotary sponsors haven’t left enough time for the Foundation to review the applications. Speaking of scholars, did you know that Foundation staff can review candidates you’re considering for a scholarship before you submit their applications? Simply email your regional grants officer with pertinent information about the candidate to request a pre-review. He or she will help you avoid applying for a scholarship that isn’t eligible.
 
 
Rotary/UNESCO-IHE scholarships
 
The Rotary Foundation and UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education have extended their collaboration for two more years and will offer up to 10 scholarships for graduate study at UNESCO-IHE's Delft campus in the Netherlands in 2017-19. For more information review the application toolkit and the scholarship terms and conditions.
 
 
Changes to grant terms and conditions
 
The Foundation periodically updates grant terms and conditions to clarify them and incorporate policy changes. See the current version, which reflects the following changes:
 
Section II
  • Removed “or geographical area” from “[global grants] are sponsored by at least one Rotary club or district in the country or geographical area where the grant project will take place”
  • Added criteria that global grants may support the construction of low-cost shelters and simple schools, as long as the construction is part of a comprehensive project related to an area of focus
Section III
  • Removed “schools, homes/low-cost shelters” from the restrictions on construction
  • Added a restriction that one global grant cannot fund multiple unrelated projects
Section V
  • Removed explanation about obtaining travel insurance
Section VI
  • Added information about tax withholdings for global grant scholarships awarded for study in the U.S.
 
Host clubs can drive global grant success
 
With their knowledge of community needs and their local contacts, host clubs play a key role in the success of global grant-funded projects. Read about how the Rotary Club of Rio Claro-Cidade Azul in São Paulo, Brazil, and Rotarians in District 2041 (Italy) established a movement analysis laboratory for children with motor disabilities.