At the beginning of each Rotary year the club treasurer sends out an invoice for dues and a pledge to the club's foundation. (This is different from The Rotary Foundation aka TRF - which is the foundation for Rotary International). Barbara Bean was instrumental in creating a 501c3 (non profit) foundation for the Rotary Club of Grants Pass. This allows donations to the club foundation to be tax deductible. The average recommended donation is $250, although many members donate more.
Around February of each year, the community service committee sends out a request for grant applications from non profit organizations in the area. The grant money is to be used primarily for capital improvements and always has a tie-in with youth. Funds may also be used for supplies for a project. Once all of the grants have been received by the deadline the committee reviews them and chooses which applications will receive funds.
The funds in our club's foundation that can be used for grants is generally around $10,000. (As an aside - it would be delightful if this account could grow bigger so we could give away more money to deserving projects.)
Finally, near the end of the Rotary year - the successful applicants are invited to the meeting and the money is distributed for their projects. It's one our more "smile the while" meetings. Craig Dent heads the committee and will be announcing the successful grantees.
