Rotary Club of Summerville Grant Fund

The Rotary Club of Summerville Grant Fund (RCSGF) is a charitable program established by the Rotary Club of Summerville, a civic organization based in Summerville, South Carolina. This fund is dedicated to supporting initiatives that align with charitable purposes defined under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The primary mission of the RCSGF is to address local community needs, but its structure also allows the flexibility to support broader educational, charitable, or philanthropic activities deemed appropriate by its grants committee. RCSGF awards grants to support specific short-term projects, one-time events, or unique non-recurring needs. It does not support ongoing operational costs, recurring programs, or multi-year funding arrangements. Each application cycle is considered independently, and prior funding does not influence future grant decisions. The fund is designed to enable impactful, self-contained projects that align with the Rotary Club of Summerville’s service objectives and deliver measurable benefit to the surrounding community. The program offers two types of grants: Beneficiary grants and Off-Cycle grants. Beneficiary grants are the primary funding opportunity and are awarded once per year. These grants typically range between $2,000 and $20,000. In contrast, Off-Cycle grants are awarded on a rolling basis throughout the year for smaller, time-sensitive initiatives. These grants are generally valued at less than $1,500 and follow the same eligibility and evaluation criteria, subject to availability of funds. To be eligible for funding, applicants must be nonprofit organizations operating in compliance with Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. Organizations that do not meet this designation may still be considered, provided the RCSGF Committee can verify their eligibility through due diligence. Projects must primarily benefit communities within the Greater Summerville area, specifically including Dorchester, Berkeley, and Charleston Counties in South Carolina. The RCSGF prioritizes initiatives in the following service focus areas: Hunger and Nutrition, Housing and Shelter, Literacy and Education, Health and Wellness, Children and Families, and Building Better Communities. The application process is simple and accessible. Interested organizations must complete the official Grant Application form, available on the Rotary Club of Summerville website or through club members. Completed applications for Beneficiary grants must be submitted electronically to Chad Shelton via email at ChadSRotary@gmail.com no later than January 31, 2026. Off-Cycle applications may be submitted at any time using the same process. All proposals are reviewed by the Charitable Grants Committee, which then submits recommendations to the Rotary Club’s Board of Directors for final approval. Approved grants are disbursed promptly following notification. Beneficiary grants are typically awarded during a formal ceremony, while Off-Cycle grants are distributed as soon as administratively possible. The RCSGF is committed to supporting meaningful community work that reflects the mission and values of the Rotary Club of Summerville, and encourages local nonprofits with targeted project ideas to apply during the open application period.