• 2024 Grant Guidelines

    The Rotary Club of Summerville Grant Fund (the RCSGF) is a charitable grant-making fund organized by the Rotary Club of Summerville in Summerville, S.C., that is used exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”).

    Purpose

    The RCSGF makes contributions primarily to support local community needs, although the fund’s granting authority is flexible enough to support other projects deemed by the Fund’s committee to qualify for charitable, educational, or other philanthropic purposes.

    Grants disbursed by the RCSGF are primarily targeted for unique or non-recurring needs, as outlined below. Grants are for specific short-term projects, one-time events, or one-time needs. Grants, awarded within the scope of the purposes of section 501(c)(3) of the Code, are not awarded to organizations for multiple or successive years. Grants will not be awarded for the general operating needs of an organization.

    There are two categories of grants, Beneficiary grants (awarded annually) and Off-Cycle grants. Beneficiary grants are selected and announced on May 1st. Off-cycle grants, typically lower in value than Beneficiary grants, may be awarded at any time during the year based on the same criteria and availability of funds.  

    Grant eligibility

    To receive a grant from the RCSGF, organizations must meet the following requirements.

    1. Nonprofit organization.  The grantee organization must be:
      1. A non-profit organization in compliance with Section 501(c)(3) of the Code, or
      2. If the grantee is not a non-profit organization as described above, the RCSGF Committee shall exercise due diligence in determining eligibility for any grant.
    2. Proximity. Grant applications should focus on projects that are primarily within the Greater Summerville area of Dorchester/Berkeley County. 
    3. Type of projects. When applying for RCSGF funding, it is important for organizations to understand that the RCSGF Committee does not normally fund multi-year projects, recurring needs, operating expenses, or annual budget items. It focuses on specific, one-year unique or non-recurring needs that support the priorities of the Rotary Club of Summerville. Ideally, the grant should cover all or most of the cost of the proposed activity. This helps the RCSGF Committee distinguish an eligible request from a non-eligible request for operational funds. Funded projects generally fall into, but are not limited to six Service Focus areas:
      1. Hunger & Nutrition
      2. Housing & Shelter
      3. Literacy and Education
      4. Children and Families
      5. Health and Wellness, and
      6. Building Better Communities
    4. Single-year grants. While charities may apply for grants in successive years, the awarding of a grant in one year will not increase the likelihood of an award of a grant in the following year. Each grant cycle stands on its own, considering the number, quality, and diversity of applications.
    5. Grant amount. Generally, the RCSGF Committee considers requests for grants with Beneficiary grants are typically $2,000 to $20,000, and Off-Cycle grants are under $1,500. Partial grants may be awarded.

    Grant selection and disbursement process

    The RCSGF uses the following process to award grants to qualified nonprofit organizations:

    1. Advisory committee. As related under the provisions of the by-laws of the Rotary Club of Summerville, the Beneficiary Committee will accept, consider, and make recommendations to the Rotary Club of Summerville Board of Directors on grant applications received on a periodic basis, as outlined below.

    2. Grant pool. At the beginning of each fiscal year, the RCSGF Committee will receive information from the Rotary Club of Summerville Board of Directors about the amount of money expected to be released for grants for that fiscal year.

    3. Grant approval cycle.

    1. Beneficiary grants: The Committee will accept, review and make recommendations for Beneficiary Grants once a year. Applications will be accepted beginning November 1st through January 31st for grants to be approved by May 1st of the following year.
    2. Off-Cycle grants: Off-Cycle grant applications can be accepted at any time during the year, with awards made on the basis of timeliness and availability of funds.

    The Beneficiary Committee, which is responsible for approving or denying grant requests, will consider, review, and make recommendations to the RCS Board of Directors for both categories of grants as necessary.

    4. RCS Board of Directors' approval. After receiving the Committee’s recommendation, the Rotary Club of Summerville board then will make final decisions regarding grant awards. Once approved, the RCSGF Committee will notify successful grant recipients and those organizations whose applications have been denied.

    How to apply for a grant

    Interested organizations must submit a completed Grant Application form which can be found on the Rotary Club of Summerville website or from a Rotary Club of Summerville member.

    Grant requests must be submitted electronically by sending the completed application by e-mail to the Chairman, Beneficiary Committee, Rotary Club of Summerville at lartklart@aol.com.

    Grant payment

    Grant payments will be processed by the RCSGF Committee as soon as administratively possible upon receipt of an instruction from the Rotary Club of Summerville Board of Directors. Beneficiary grant payments will be made at an appropriate ceremony. Off-cycle grant payments will be made expeditiously when approved by the RCSGF Committee.

    For more information

    Contact the chair for the Rotary Club of Summerville Grant Fund, whose name and email address can be found at the RCS website.  - Linda Art EMAIL

     

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