Grant Application

JACKSON OLD HICKORY ROTARY CLUB
Club Projects Grant-making Guidelines
Adopted 8/15/2022

Projects of the Jackson Old Hickory Rotary Club
From the voluntary contributions of Club members and supporters of Club projects, the Club is able to serve others through its annual grantmaking program. The funds managed by the Club always are less than the needs of the eligible programs. Thus, there is a need to prioritize the allocation of the Club’s available funds. The Club’s grantmaking guidelines comprise how such prioritization occurs.

Programs Eligible to Receive Support from the Jackson Old Hickory Rotary Club

Projects and programs in the Jackson area being conducted by 501(c)(3) public charities, local public schools, and faith-based organizations for secular activities.
Rotary programs eligible for matching grants from the Rotary Foundation, the Rotary District, or other Rotary Clubs
The Club may elect to fund programs outside of these guidelines (such as the awarding of student scholarships).

Values / Philosophical Guidelines

The Club believes prevention is more effective and economical than remediation
The Club believes the only way to bring about lasting change is by addressing root causes rather than symptoms
The Club believes access to a good education is the best opportunity for economic self-sufficiency and productivity
The Club believes all children deserve a caring adult in their lives
The Club believes in the importance of good health, healthy lifestyles and access to health care
The Club values the development of community and civic pride
The Club values diversity and community collaboration and cooperation
The Club values access to opportunities to enable individuals in need to become self-reliant.

Funding Priorities
The Club will give priority to projects based on

Overall benefit to the community
Number of persons positively impacted
Involvement of members of the Club in the project
Alignment with the priorities of Rotary International

Grants are generally not available for the following:

Grants to individuals; however, the Club may make grants to organizations that make grants to individuals for the intended charitable purpose
Political campaigns or promotion of candidates for public office
Lobbying or influencing legislation
Advancement of capital or endowment campaigns (excepting internal Rotary funds)
Independent or private schools
Event sponsorships or tickets to charitable events
Travel or trip expenses
General operating costs or agency administrative costs
Redistribution to other organizations
Programs where participation in religious activities or membership in a specific religious group is a condition for receiving benefits of the agency or program.

Size of Grants
The Club suggests a minimum grant request of $1,000. While smaller grants may be made, the Club’s goal is to make fewer but larger grants that may positively impact the cause.

Use of funds:
Funds must be used to carry out the program effort or initiative in the grant proposal. If the project is canceled or delayed beyond the time designated in the application or one year from the award of the grant, all funds shall be returned to the Club.

Grant Terms:
The Club grants are typically for one year. Multi-year grants may be considered but will be the exception. No grant shall be made to a single recipient for more than two consecutive years and no applicant may make more than one application in a single year

Invitation to Apply
The Club does not accept unsolicited grant requests. The Club will consider only grant requests that are brought by and have the endorsement of one or more Club members having personal knowledge about the program of a potential grant applicant. Any such letter of endorsement should be accompanied by a brief description of the project. After reviewing the endorsement from the Rotary Club member, the Club will notify the potential grant applicant whether it will be invited to apply. Such an invitation to apply does not imply a decision to fund the project. Participation in the application process will include the completion of an application outlining the proposed project in detail and participation in a site visit conducted by one or more members of the Club’s Club Projects Committee.

Timing
The general timeline for the Club grant making process is

July 1 through October 31 – receive letters of endorsement
November – extend application invitations
November through December 15 – receive completed applications
December 15 through February – conduct site visits, evaluate grant applicants
Prior to January 31 – submit an application to District for matching funds, if applicable
March through June 1 – awards made to grant recipients

Exceptions
Exceptions may be made to these guidelines but exceptions must be fully justified, approved by the Club Board, and not made on more than one occasion per impacted party.

Grant Application Form

Date

First Name

Last Name

General Information

Please provide the general information of the Organization/Individual that you are nominating for a donation. Thank you!

Organization's Name/ Individual's Name

Organization's/ Individual's Telephone

Organization's/ Individual's Email

Organization's Website

Address

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

How did you hear about The Rotary Club of Jackson-Old Hickory?

What is your affiliation with The Rotary Club of Jackson-Old Hickory? (if any)

Your Request

This section determines your request amount and what it will be used for.

What is the total amount of your financial need?

What is the total dollar amount of your financial request from the Rotary Club of Jackson-Old Hickory?

If the Rotary Club of Jackson-Old Hickory approves your grant request, how many lives will be impacted? Please provide as specific a number as possible. You may include all parties impacted - Recipient(s), Supporters, Family Members, Etc.

For Individual Grant Requests Only - Please help us better understand the circumstances that led to your Grant request:

Please provide a detailed explanation of how the funds will be utilized to assist you personally, your project, and/or your ministry/ organization:

Have you requested assistance from other organizations? If yes, please provide organization names and amounts requested. Also, if the Grant Request is due to a natural disaster, please list any insurance coverage and/or governmental assistance received.

Organization Details

If your Grant Request is for an organization, please complete the following questions within this section. If you are requesting a Grant for yourself or an individual, please disregard this section. Thank you!

Please provide your "Elevator Pitch": A brief, persuasive speech you use to spark interest in your organization and what your organization does.

Please provide a brief history of your organization and it's past financial & ministry performance:

What is the mission of your organization?

What are the programs/services that your organization performs to advance your mission?

Please provide a list of your Board of Directors (along with their affiliations):

How many donors have donated to your organization in the last 24 months?

Please provide the names of your two largest donors?

Please briefly describe the three to five year strategic plan of your organization:

Has your organization ever received a Grant from the Rotary Club of Jackson-Old Hickory? If so, please specify the amount(s) & year(s).

Are you a Tax Exempt 501(c)(3) organization? Please attach a copy of your Tax-Exempt Status to this request below. If not available, please explain here:

Is your 990 available for public review? Please attach your most recent copy below.

Please provide your IRS EIN (Employer Identification Number/ Federal Tax Number):

What was your annual budget for the last 12 months? How much of these requested funds will go towards ministry/ organization operation overhead?

Consent

To finalize the Grant Request Form, please complete the following section. Thank you!

During the initial review process, a due diligence audit will be conducted by the Rotary Club of Jackson-Old Hickory to ensure that there are no ethical and/or reputation risks associated with the requesting individual/ministry/organization. Please disclose any past or current litigation. Please disclose any individual, ministry, or organization affiliations that might contradict the opening statements of this request form.

I understand that checking the box below constitutes a legal signature (completed above) confirming that I acknowledge and warrant the truthfulness of the information provided in this Grant Request Form.

Please upload both your Tax-Exempt Status and your most recent 990 here:

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Service Projects

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