Community Grants Program

The Menlo Rotary Community Foundation, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Menlo Park, has opened its 2026 Community Grants Program to support projects led by community-based nonprofit organizations. As a charitable nonprofit entity, the Foundation focuses its grantmaking efforts on projects that align with its mission to address critical needs in the areas of food insecurity, homelessness, and education. With a longstanding presence in the Menlo Park region, the Foundation is committed to fostering local partnerships that strengthen the social fabric of the communities it serves, particularly Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, and surrounding areas. The 2026 program seeks to provide financial support specifically to IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Proposals must be focused on delivering services for either adults or youths experiencing hardship in one or more of the designated areas of food insecurity, homelessness, or educational gaps. In addition to funding impactful work, the program aims to raise community awareness about the services offered by both the Rotary Club of Menlo Park and the Menlo Rotary Community Foundation. Applicants may request funding amounts ranging from $3,000 to $5,000, though proposals up to $10,000 will be considered. Annually, the Foundation donates approximately $50,000 across eligible projects. All awarded funds must be directed toward clearly defined project components. Proposals must include a specific project budget, measurable outcomes, and a defined implementation timeline. Projects that receive only partial funding are still encouraged to apply but must explain the implications of receiving a reduced grant. To apply, organizations must complete a concise application form limited to three pages (excluding supporting documents) and submit it electronically in PDF, Google Docs, or Microsoft Word format. Required attachments include the organization’s most recent annual report, financial statement, and IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter. Extraneous documents will not be reviewed. Completed application packets must be submitted via email to [email protected] with the subject line “2026 Application for Funding” no later than 5:00 p.m. PST on Monday, March 2, 2026. Award notifications will be sent around March 20, 2026. Recipients are encouraged to attend an in-person award ceremony during a Rotary Club lunch on April 8, 2026. Organizations that received prior funding from the Rotary Club of Menlo Park must submit a Funding Follow-Up Form before applying again. Additionally, all 2026 grant recipients are required to submit a new Funding Follow-Up Form by February 1, 2027. These post-award steps are integral to ensuring accountability and transparency in the program’s impact.