Large Grant Program

Geographic Scope: Stamford, Greenwich, Darien, and New Canaan, CT

Award Amount: $2,500.01 and above ($2,500-$5,000, $5,001-$7,500, $7,501-$10,000, $10,001-$12,500, $12,501-$20,000)

Application Period: October 1st to January 15th (Annual)

Next Deadline: January 15, 2027

Program Focus

The Stamford Rotary Trust Fund provides grants to support nonprofit organizations through direct program funding and general operating grants, as well as endowments, scholarships, and capital campaigns. Grants support projects that:

• Align with Rotary's Area of Focus
• Are project-driven
• Enhance existing services
• Pilot new ideas
• Demonstrate collaboration with other organizations or funders
• Are sustainable after funding ends
• Create significant, lasting, and transformational change

Areas of Focus

Primary focus on organizations supporting:

• Community/Economic Development
• Children, Health, and Families
• Supporting Education
• Growing Local Economies
• Promoting Peace
• Fighting Disease (including Food Insecurity)
• Providing Clean Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene

Eligibility Requirements

• Must have nonprofit tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (Determination Letter required)
• Programs must be located in Stamford, Darien, Greenwich, or New Canaan
• Must have community support, address community needs, and have measurable outcomes
• Must demonstrate fiscal and administrative responsibility

What the Trust Fund Does NOT Fund

• Individuals
• Capital/Endowment Campaigns
• Fundraising Events/Sponsorship Opportunities
• Trips/Tours/Conferences
• Deficit Spending/Debt Liquidation
• Religious organizations (unless stated program is for the benefit of the community)
• Private/Parochial Schools
• Organizations that discriminate in any way
• Organizations not open to the public
• Political Causes
• General operating support
• Other scholarship programs

Application Process

Required Documents and Information (prepare before starting):

1. Organization Information (narrative form):
   • Organization mission and goals
   • Organization history
   • Staffing information (number of full-time and part-time employees, number of volunteers)
   • Description of agency programs
   • Number of individuals served and description of population served (including age, ethnicity, sex, residence, socio-economic status, other relevant information)
   • Percentage of low/moderate income population served
2. Program Information (narrative form):
   • Description of program for which you are applying, including activities, population served, needs which will be met
   • Goals and objectives
   • Expected outcomes
   • Collaboration with other agencies/organizations (if applicable)
   • Other current, prospective funding sources for program
   • Descriptions of staff positions carrying out the program
   • Past funding history (if applicable)
3. Supporting Documents (PDF format):
   • 501(c)(3) Determination Letter
   • Board of Directors List (with affiliations)
   • Annual Report (if available)
   • Most recent audit
   • Overall agency operating budget
   • Program budget
   • IRS Form 990
   • Outline of organization trends, challenges, and accomplishments (limit to one page)

Application Steps

1. Select amount of request ($2,500-$5,000, $5,001-$7,500, $7,501-$10,000, $10,001-$12,500, $12,501-$20,000)
2. Provide contact information (name, title, email, phone)
3. Provide organization information (name, address, website, tax status)
4. Upload copy of tax status determination letter
5. Provide community served and organization mission/goals/history
6. Provide staffing information and description of current programs
7. Describe number of individuals served and populations served
8. Describe program for which funding is being requested
9. Provide program description, goals, objectives, and expected outcomes
10. List collaborations and other funding sources
11. Upload document describing agency trends, challenges, and accomplishments (limit to one page)
12. Describe staff positions carrying out the program
13. Indicate if agency has been funded by Trust Fund in the past
14. Upload board of directors list with affiliations
15. Upload annual report (if available)
16. Upload most recent audit
17. Upload overall agency operation budget
18. Upload IRS Form 990
19. Sign electronically and certify accuracy and completeness

Important Notes:

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• Questions can be emailed to info2@stamfordrotarytrustfund.org