Toledo Rotary Club Foundation Grant

The Toledo Rotary Club Foundation Traditional Grant supports educational and charitable initiatives aligned with the mission and values of the Rotary Club of Toledo. This foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity, serves as the philanthropic extension of the Rotary Club of Toledo. Founded in 1912, the Rotary Club established its first charitable fund by 1915, focusing initially on funding medical and educational services for children with physical disabilities. Over the past century, the Foundation has expanded its scope to serve a broad array of community and international needs, with a strong emphasis on strategic, collaborative impact. Funding for the Traditional Grant program is made possible through annual contributions from members and friends of the Rotary Club of Toledo. These contributions are pooled in the Toledo Rotary Club Foundation Fund, managed by the Greater Toledo Community Foundation. Approximately 20 grants are awarded each year, with a maximum grant amount of $10,000. The funding is intended for projects that serve a community or international purpose, ideally aligned with the seven areas of focus outlined by Rotary International: promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, saving mothers and children, supporting education, growing local economies, and protecting the environment. The Foundation places a preference on collaborative projects among partner organizations, especially those impacting Toledo or the broader northwest Ohio region. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Applicants who have received a Traditional Grant must wait two years before reapplying. Additionally, if an application is declined, the organization may only reapply once per Rotary fiscal year, which runs from July 1 to June 30. Applications are due biannually, with deadlines on January 31 and August 31. Grant proposals should focus on one of several priority service areas: Community Services, Disability Services, International Services, Vocational Services, Environmental Services, and Youth Services. Each of these categories has defined parameters and can include youth-centered initiatives if they also meet the objectives of the selected service area. Applicants are required to submit their applications through the Greater Toledo Community Foundation's online portal. The application process includes detailed sections requesting project goals and objectives, population to be served, implementation timelines, project oversight, and methods for evaluating success. The application also asks for information about organizational history, alternative funding plans if not awarded, and a summary of previous Rotary funding. Required attachments include a project budget, board list, IRS determination letter, organizational background, financial statements (audited or unaudited, but not IRS Form 990), and the current fiscal year’s board-approved operating budget. The grant review process is multi-layered. Applications are first reviewed by designated Rotary committees, and applicants may be required to present their proposals in person or participate in a site visit. The committees then forward selected proposals to the Foundation Advisory Committee (FAC), which reviews and recommends final selections to the Toledo Rotary Club Board of Trustees. The ultimate funding decision is made by the Toledo Rotary Club Foundation Board. Depending on the application cycle, notifications of awards may be sent around two months following the submission deadline. For example, applications submitted by August 31 could receive funding decisions in late October, with checks disbursed in November. Successful grantees must sign a Grant Agreement and complete required progress and final reports via the online portal. These reports must include a final project budget, narrative impact stories, outcome evaluations, problem-solving reflections, and other impact documentation such as photos and external reports. Contact for more information is Jaci Bugaj, Executive Director, who can be reached at info@toledorotary.org or by phone at 419-241-7060. The Foundation’s office is located at 709 Madison Ave, Suite 305, Toledo, Ohio 43606.

Applicants may be asked to present to committees and host site visits. Reporting compliance is required.