District Simplified Grants for 2011-2012
Make sure to download the District Simplified Grants Guidelines and the official DSG Application form at the bottom of this page.
DISTRICT SIMPLIFIED GRANTS (DSG) must support projects that are humanitarian or educational in nature. Primary consideration will be given to projects that will positively affect a community with special emphasis on helping those that are less fortunate. No project should be repeated (year after year) by the same Club without a 3 year interval. Additional consideration will be given based on the club’s support of The Rotary Foundation (TRF) during the previous year, amount of Rotarian involvement, and public relations for Rotary from the project, and the needs met by the project (as in many people versus one or a few).
OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Rotarians from your club MUST actively participate in giving their time and resources to be eligible to receive a DSG. You will be required to submit an interim and/or final report. The final report must include receipts for all purchases for the project, copies of checks used to purchase items for the project and pictures of Rotarian involvement in the project. Also, any unspent funds must be returned to the District.
GRANT AMOUNTS: The District Simplified Grants will be a dollar for dollar match for each dollar contributed by the sponsoring club(s). The maximum grant will be $2,000 per club and $4,000 for two or more clubs. During the initial application period (July and August, 2011) a club may only participate in one grant. For example, if a club submits an individual application they may not also be part of another group application. Assuming there are still funds after the first period they could be part of a group in the second period.
INITIAL SUBMISSION DATES: Applications may be mailed or emailed to our District Simplified Grant Chairperson between July 1 and August 31. All applications must be received by August 31st at 5:00 p.m. Applications that are incomplete will be returned to the sponsoring club. Application forms may be obtained on the District web site www.rotary6950.org and look for related links.
SUBMISSION INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE IN THE GUIDELINES DOWNLOAD AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
APPROVAL PROCESS: On or about September 15th the District Simplified Grants Committee will meet and make a decision as to which applications will be approved. Clubs will be notified of the committee’s decision by September 26, 2011.
SECOND SUBMISSION DATES: If there are funds remaining after the committee meets in September, club presidents and club foundation chairs will be notified of the remaining funds and applications will be accepted again. For the second submission applications may be mailed or emailed between October 1st and October 31st. (No applications will be accepted during the month of September.
APPROVAL PROCESS: On or about November 17th the DSG Committee will meet and decide which applications will be approved. Clubs will be notified of the committee’s decision by November 24, 2011.
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION DOES NOT ALLOW DISTRICT SIMPLIFIED GRANTS TO BE USED FOR THE FOLLOWING: A District Simplified Grant may not be used:
- For the establishment of a permanent foundation, trust or permanent interest bearing account.
- To directly benefit a Rotarian; an employee of a club, district or other Rotary entity, or a spouse, lineal descendant, a spouse of a lineal descendant, or an ancestor of any living Rotarian or Rotary employee.
- To reimburse expenses incurred prior to approval of the grant, to help fund already existing projects, or to pay for activities primarily sponsored by a non-Rotary organization.
- For the purchase of land or buildings.
- For construction of any structure in which individuals live, work or engage in gainful activity such as buildings, containers, and mobile homes.
- For renovation of structures, including the provision of new services or upgrade of utilities (i.e., electrical and plumbing) in which people live, work or engage in gainful activity such as buildings, containers, and homes.
- For salaries, stipends, or honorariums for an individual working for a cooperating organization or beneficiary.
- To support the operating or administrative expenses of any organization.
- As donations to cooperating or benefiting organizations; To support purely religious functions at churches and other places of worship;
- For international travel expenses of any kind.
- For post-secondary education activities, research or personal or professional development.
- For excessive support of any one beneficiary, cooperating organization, or project;
- For fundraising activities;
- For unspecified or cash donations to beneficiaries. Grant funds should be used to purchase budgeted and itemized humanitarian goods;
- For expenses related to Rotary events such as district conferences;
- For entertainment activities that do not include a humanitarian aspect;
- For any purposes other than those approved by TRF;
- To duplicate any existing Foundation or other Rotary-sponsored program.
- To sponsor projects designed to help any individual to obtain an academic degree or professional advancement, or for any individual to attend a seminar, conference or international exchange. Projects can involve educational training, but the training must be short-term in nature and provide basic educational/professional needs only
- To use as a contribution to The Rotary Foundation or as a contribution for any Humanitarian Grant program including Matching Grants and 3H grants.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ABOVE RULES ARE RULES OF THE ROTARY FOUNDATION THAT OUR DISTRICT MUST COMPLY WITH. THEY ARE NOT RULES MADE BY OUR DISTRICT GOVERNOR, FOUNDATION CHAIRPERSON OR DISTRICT SIMPLIFIED GRANTS CHAIRPERSON. SAMPLE PROJECTS
- Playground equipment for a domestic violence center
- Summer reading program for children with poor reading skills
- Water fountains in 2 public parks
- Christmas shopping for underprivileged children
- Provide materials for a graphic arts program
- Books provided local schools and after school programs
- Diabetes testing strips provided to a Free Clinic
- Pre-natal medications/vitamins
- Dictionaries for 3rd grade students
- Closets and storage for a center providing food & clothing to the poor
- Specialized tricycles for training handicapped children
- Duffle bags of clothing, shoes and toiletries for foster children
- Computers for a mentally ill center that will offer an opportunity to learn living and employment skills for individuals living with mental illness
- Pre-natal screenings, Newborn baby screenings
- Books & school supplies for a school in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina
- Adopt families at Christmas for dinner and gifts
- Waiting room redecorated for rape & abuse clinic
- Paving the streets of Safety Town to provide a safe environment to teach grade school children about traffic safety
- Public health education/Community health training
- Family planning training
- Information on sexually transmitted diseases
- Balanced diet and nutrition awareness
- Stop Hunger Now, Meal Packaging Event
- Clothing, Hygiene Kits, Books and Awards for Needy Students