What are District Grants?

Rotary District Grants fund small-scale, short-term activities that address needs in your community and communities abroad.

Though both are programs of The Rotary Foundation, Rotary District Grants are not the same as Rotary's Global Grants which support large long-term international activities with sustainable, measurable outcomes. 
 
District Grant funds are managed by the District and awarded to Clubs for humanitarian projects that support the Mission of The Rotary Foundation in areas such as health, education, alleviating poverty, or the environment. These projects require Rotary members to be ACTIVELY involved – i.e. boots on the ground, hands-on activity.

Clubs in District 6270 make an impact in their own communities and beyond

For example, during the 2023-2024 Rotary Year (July-June)
  • Needs were identified and 25 Humanitarian Projects were planned, executed, and completed.
    • Each project supports the mission of the Rotary Foundation.
    • 356 Rotarians and Rotaractors contributed a total of 1,758 service hours to complete these projects.
  • $74,747 in District Grant money was awarded to support these projects.
Interested in learning more about how your club can get a District Grant? Scroll down to learn more about District Grants and how to contact our District Grant Chair.
 

Videos summarizing the work of our fellow Rotarians & Rotaractors. Check 'em out!

  • 2024-25  Rotary Foundation Grants at work in communities though out District 6270 
  • 2023-24  Watch this year's local & international projects that District Global Grants support
  • 2022-23  The Rotary Foundation: Rotary District 6270 Turns Grants into Last Change
  • 2021-22  Clubs in Rotary District 6270 completed humanitarian service projects
 

Reminder: Your Final Report is due May 15, 2026 if your club received a District Grant for Rotary Year 2025-26

If your club received a district grant distribution for the above Rotary Year, your district grant process is not completed until you have filed your club's district grant's final report. Once filed, the District Grant Chair will be notified and the report will be reviewed and, either, returned with questions or approved. When approved, your club will receive the final payment of your remaining grant funds. Then your grant for the above Rotary Year is completed and closed. NOTE: Earlier reporting will result in earlier reimbursement.
 
Final reports are submitted in ClubRunner through the Grants module on the District 6270 website. Reports must include: narrative report, expense reports with appropriate documentation of expenses, photos, Public Image report and evidence, and Media/Press Release.
 
Reporting & Closing Your Project (PDF Nov 2024) - Downloading and reviewing this PDF may help provide guidance on submitting your final report.

Eligible Activities

The world has no shortage of problems. To focus Rotary club's efforts, The Rotary Foundation has identified areas where Rotary Members and Clubs can contribute to lasting change.
 
Make sure your grant idea is eligible before you start your application.
Contacting District 6270's District Grant Chair (below) to review your plan and offer recommendations will save you time and effort.

Rotary Year 2026-27 

Sign Up: Training for Rotary Year 2026-27 District Grant Projects

 
DISTRICT GRANT 2026 APPLICATION SUBMISSION & GRANT MANAGEMENT TRAINING (To receive a grant for the above Rotary Year)
  • Register for one of our six training sessions offered in the upcoming spring. .
    • We ask that you register in advance so we are prepared to serve you and your club. 
      • Two Rotarians from each club is required to take the training
      • Each Rotarian needs to register separate
    • Decide if you need the Intro/Overview or the Refresher training
    • Click on the link next to the date that works best for you.
  • After registering, a confirmation email will be sent containing information about the training session you selected, including the Zoom link.
Introductory / Overview Training (via ZOOM):  For people new to District Grants and for people who have not previously completed District Grant Education/Training.
     Session #1  Saturday, March 14, 2026, 10 AM – Noon 
     Session #3  Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 6 PM – 8 PM
     Session #5  Thursday, April 30, 2026, 6 PM – 8 PM
 
Refresher Training (via ZOOM):  For people who previously completed training (since 2022) and who have previously worked on District Grants.
     Session #2  Monday, March 16, 2026,  6 PM – 8 PM 
     Session #4  Saturday, April 11, 2026, 10 AM to Noon 
     Session #6  Wednesday, May 6, 2026,  6 PM – 8 PM
 
The District Grants application process and forms in the Resource section have been revised for the above Rotary Year. 
Scroll down for details and resources.
 

HOW TO APPLY FOR A DISTRICT GRANT  

1) District Grant Project Idea

  • Identify a project that supports your community and Rotary's Areas Of Focus.
  • Have an idea of the impact it will have.
  • Knowing $3,000 is the maximum amount awarded, it is helpful to have an idea of your project's budget and any community partners that may be involved (contributing skills, expertise, or resources including financial).

2) Annual Training

  • Two (2) members from each club applying must complete the annual training.
  • Annual training sessions are usually held starting in March for the following Rotary year. Check the District Calendar for dates and watch for email announcements.
  • Two types of online group training are offered;
    • District Grant Education-Intro/Overview (sessions 1, 3, & 5): This 2-hour training is for people new to District Grants or for people who have not previously completed District Grant Education.
    • District Grant Education-Refresher (sessions 2,4, & 6): This 1.5-hour training is for people who previously completed district grant education (since 2021) and who have previously worked on District Grants.

3) Application Submissions

  • District Grant Applications are entered online
  • The Due Date for application submission is June 1st before the Rotary Year the project activity occurs. 
    • Applications are due June 1, 2026 for projects occurring in 2026-27. 
    • Applications are due June 1, 2027 for projects occurring in 2027-28. 
    • Applications are due June 1, 2028 for projects occurring in 2028-29. 

4) Final Report

  • Once your application is approved, all reporting is done online.
  • Final reports are due May 15th, annually.
    • Final Reports are due May 15, 2026 for projects occurring in 2025-26.  
    • Final Reports are due May 15, 2027 for projects occurring in 2026-27. 
    • Final Reports are due May 15, 2028 for projects occurring in 2027-28. 
  • Earlier reporting will result in earlier reimbursement.
 
If you have questions, please feel free to contact Jeff Reed.
 
Jeffery Reed
Chair, District Grants, RID 6270
Past District Governor
920.517.1250
 

RESOURCES

 
Rotary Year 2026-27 >> Application due June 1, 2026
2026-27 Request to Apply (needs both president & president-elect signatures)
 
Rotary Year 2025-26 >> Application due June 1, 2025
 
Past Years: Something from this list may inspire a District Grant project that will positively impact your community.
Check out the videos above in the section "Clubs in District 6270 make an impact...".
 

Glossary of Acronyms

  • DDF = District Designated Funds
  • GG & DG = Grant types (Global and District)
  • MOU = Memorandum of Understanding
  • NGO’s = Non-Governmental Organizations
  • TRF = The Rotary Foundation
  • VTT = Vocational Training Team
  • WF = Rotary International World Fund
  • DRFC = District Rotary Foundation Committee
 
Info last updated 1/10/2026, Jeffrey Reed
Page last updated 1/21/2026, cmp