Rotary Club of Marquette Harbor – Large Grants

The Rotary Club of Marquette Harbor offers a limited number of larger grants of up to $15,000 to support projects and initiatives that primarily benefit youth in Marquette County, Michigan. These grants are part of the Club’s broader philanthropic mission, which is fueled by local fundraising efforts such as the annual Fishboil held in June and HarborFest in August. The Rotary Club itself operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and has a longstanding tradition of funding youth-oriented programs, including after-school initiatives, recreation, arts, science education, scholarships, and services for at-risk or special needs youth. Larger grant applications are only accepted via the designated online form available through the Club’s website. Applicants must submit fully completed forms and supporting documentation by the strict deadline of 11:59 p.m. on the second Friday of March each year. These applications are reviewed during an April meeting of the Club’s Contributions Committee. In addition to the required narrative and budget breakdown, organizations must include documentation of their tax-exempt status, such as an IRS Determination Letter. All applicants must also submit a detailed project budget outlining costs for equipment and supplies, third-party services, staffing, fringe benefits, and other line items such as printing, communication, and advertising. A critical requirement for applicants seeking the full $15,000 is collaboration with other local service organizations to secure joint funding for the proposed project. Only once all local funding is confirmed will the Rotary Club of Marquette Harbor proceed with applying for a District 6220 Designated Fund matching grant, which must be awarded before the funds are released. This collaborative condition means larger grant awards may not be disbursed until after May, depending on the approval timeline for matching funds. Funding is not available for routine operating expenses or projects with political or religious intent. Projects that do not primarily benefit youth may be considered, but only after all youth-focused proposals have been reviewed and if residual funds remain. Local organizations are permitted to apply for either a Small Grant or a Larger Grant in a given year, but not both. Successful grant recipients are expected to participate in a formal awards event held in May, where they will briefly present their funded project. In addition, recipients are asked to assist the Rotary Club during its fundraising events such as HarborFest and the Fishboil. To remain eligible for future funding, grantees must submit a detailed report by March 1 of the following year. This report must include a narrative on the project outcomes, a financial summary indexed to the original budget, descriptions of benefits delivered, and photographs suitable for publicity. If delays prevent project completion within a year, the grantee must submit a rationale and a revised timeline. In such cases, they will be ineligible for grants in the next cycle.

Priority given to youth-focused projects; collaborations with local service organizations required for larger grants.