Guidelines for Grant Making

Principles and Priorities:
Muskegon Rotary provides funding for programs and projects primarily in Muskegon County. Funding derives from annual earnings held in the Muskegon Rotary Foundation and from various fundraising activities, including Grape Escape, Parties in the Park, and the 50/50 raffle held at weekly club meetings. Grants typically range from $5,000 – $15,000.
Our priority areas for funding are based on the Muskegon Rotary’s most recent Visioning Process
The Muskegon Rotary Community Fund Committee will announce grant awards by May of each year.
 
Muskegon Rotary Priorities:
  • Community development projects which enhance the Muskegon area.
  • Activities that benefit youth.
  • Activities that promote a healthier Muskegon County.
  • Appreciation and celebration of inclusion and diversity.
  • Leadership training for members and students.
  • International service, encompassing humanitarian outreach.
Muskegon Rotary is interested in fresh, innovative approaches to addressing community needs that emulate the values of the Rotary four-way test, and making grants that create a broad impact by leveraging other funding sources and collaborating with other organizations:
 
Rotary Four-Way Test:
  • Is it the TRUTH?
  • Is it FAIR to all concerned?
  • Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
  • Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Grant Making Criteria:
Grant applications will be evaluated, in part, on the following criteria:
  • Clarity of proposal and the ability to describe the relationship between the proposed project and how it will benefit the community
  • Staff capacity/organizational capacity to complete project
  • Sound fiscal policy and responsible financial management
  • Capacity to measure results and conduct an evaluation of how the funding was used
  • Evidence of collaboration and cooperation with other organizations where appropriate
  • Muskegon Rotary welcomes applications from nonprofit organizations that serve the greater Muskegon area
  • Sustainability: defined as providing long-term solutions to community needs that the benefiting organization can maintain after grant funding ends
Muskegon Rotary generally will not fund:
  • Grants or loans to individuals.
  • Grants that support religious activities or programs that serve, or appear to serve, specific religious groups or denominations.
  • Ongoing support of a program or local school district.
  • Grants for continuing operational support.
  • Grants for capital projects may be considered if the project is a civic improvement that benefits a significant portion of the community and has high visibility.
Application Process:
  • First Step: Provide a concise, no more than one page “Letter of Inquiry” describing the following elements: a) Need for the grant, and how it aligns with the Muskegon Rotary Priorities. b) What the grant will accomplish. c) The population that will be served by the grant. d) Proposed amount to be requested from Rotary. e) Total anticipated cost of the project and whether other funds have been secured in support of the project. f) How the outcome(s) of the project will be evaluated. Contact information must be provided. Your Letter of Inquiry Should be e-mailed to muskegonrotary@gmail.com, Subject: “Community Grant”.  If your Letter of Inquiry is accepted by the grants committee you will be asked to submit a full “grant application”.
  • Click Here to complete the full “grant application”.  Send completed application to muskegonrotary@gmail.com, Subject “grant application”.
  • The Muskegon Rotary Club Board of Directors makes all final funding decisions.
  • The Muskegon Rotary Community Fund Committee will meet two times a year.  You will be notified if your grant has been approved.
  • The deadline for applications is the end of March each year.