Community Service Grant

The Community Service Grant, offered annually by the Rotary Club of Naperville and Naperville Rotary Charities, aims to address basic humanitarian needs within Naperville and the surrounding communities. These two local charitable organizations operate under a shared commitment to improving the health, safety, and well-being of vulnerable populations. Their community grants program provides vital funding for organizations working directly to prevent individuals from sliding from poverty into crisis. The grant program’s overarching objective is to support initiatives that have a measurable, positive impact on the local population’s quality of life. Grants are awarded strictly for programs that address “Basic Humanitarian Needs,” which the Rotary defines as access to essentials such as food, shelter, clothing, education, sanitation, and physical or mental health support. The funded programs must serve Naperville and the neighboring area, and applicants must clearly demonstrate how the requested funds will tangibly affect individuals within this region. Proposals are evaluated on the merit of the project, alignment with Rotary priorities, the efficiency of the organization (including administrative and fundraising costs), and the likelihood of producing measurable outcomes. To be eligible, applicants must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Supporting documentation, including IRS determination letters and Page 1 of the organization’s IRS Form 990, must accompany the submission. Applications from individuals, political groups, Rotarians or their families, foundations, or endowment funds are not considered. Only organizations that can provide documentation of nonprofit status and demonstrate effective service delivery models will be evaluated. The funding cap for the Community Service Grant is $10,000 per year, with no multi-year awards or automatic renewals. Each funding cycle requires a new application. Proposals are required to show the total project cost and include a breakdown of proposed funding sources and expected expenses. Applicants are strongly encouraged to explain the minimum amount of funding needed for the project to proceed if the full amount requested is not awarded. Rotary prioritizes initiatives where its contribution will yield substantial and visible impact. The submission process includes multiple components. Applicants must complete an online data-gathering form hosted via Google Forms, and submit a typed PDF version of the official application document via email. Additional supporting materials are accepted but must also be submitted in PDF format. Oral or incomplete submissions will not be accepted. All required materials must be received by March 13, 2026. Any applications submitted after this date will be disqualified from consideration for this grant cycle. Notification of grant awards will be sent by June 30, 2026. Awarded funds are applicable only for the current Rotary year, and recipients will not be eligible for retroactive or future funding beyond the year of award. The program is recurring on an annual basis, and organizations may reapply each year with new or updated project proposals. For additional information or submission questions, the Rotary Club of Naperville’s Community Service Grants Committee can be reached at [email protected].