Rotary Club of Marquette Harbor – Small Grants

The Rotary Club of Marquette Harbor offers a competitive Small Grants program to support youth-focused initiatives in Marquette County, Michigan. These grants provide up to $2,500 for nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt status to implement projects that benefit local youth. Past recipients have delivered programs in areas such as after-school education, youth recreation, arts and science enrichment, scholarships, and services for at-risk or special needs youth. The Small Grants are part of the Club’s community investment portfolio, which is funded by its annual Fishboil in June and HarborFest in August. Grant applications must be submitted through the official online “Small Grant” application form and include all required documentation. These documents include verification of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and a detailed budget that outlines expected expenditures for equipment and supplies, external services, staffing and fringe, and any ancillary costs such as printing, communications, and advertising. The submission deadline is firm: applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. on the second Friday of March each year to be considered. All applications are reviewed during the Club’s April Contributions Committee meeting. Funding decisions are based on alignment with youth-centered goals and the completeness of the application package. While priority is given to youth-oriented programs, other types of community benefit initiatives—such as those targeting elderly or environmental causes—may be considered only if youth proposals have been fully reviewed and sufficient funds remain. Grants are not available for general operating expenses or for projects with political or religious objectives. Award recipients will be invited to a recognition event in May to receive their grant and briefly present their project to the community. These recipients are also expected to assist the Rotary Club with its major fundraising events, including HarborFest and the Fishboil. Only one grant application (either Small or Large) may be submitted by an organization each year. To remain eligible for funding in future cycles, grantees must submit a comprehensive report by March 1 of the following year. This report must detail how funds were used, link expenditures to the original budget, describe resulting project outcomes, and include photographs suitable for publicity. If the project cannot be completed within the 12-month window due to unforeseen delays, an explanation and revised timeline are required. In such cases, the organization becomes ineligible for the next grant cycle.

Priority is given to youth-focused projects. Other topics considered only if funds remain.