How much funding does Large Grants (Huney) provide?

Large Grants (Huney) provides $25,000 - $100,000 in funding.

When is the deadline for Large Grants (Huney)?

The deadline is September 15, 2026.

Large Grants (Huney)

Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island Trust

Foundation Annual Grants for Nonprofits Grants for Capital Funding Community Development Grants Environmental Grants

Apply Now

Funding Amount

$25,000 - $100,000

Deadline

September 15, 2026

160 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Large Grants (Huney)

Overview: The Large Grants (Huney) Committee awards significant grants for major capital projects that will have transformative impact on the Bainbridge Island community. Funds accumulate from year to year, allowing for grants of $25,000 to $100,000 or more for exceptional projects.

History

Named after Judd Huney, Past President of the Rotary Club (1953-54), who was instrumental in establishing the Large Grants (Huney) Fund. The first project funded was purchasing land for the Bainbridge Island Public Library in 1960 (raising $5,800).

Key Details

Funding Source: Approximately one-third of Rotary Auction & Rummage Sale net proceeds
Award Range: Generally $25,000 - $100,000 (larger grants possible in exceptional cases)
Application Period: Letter of Inquiry deadline is September 15th annually
Recurrence: Ongoing annual program

Geographic Scope

Primary: Bainbridge Island, Washington
Secondary: Projects off-island are considered if sponsored in part by another local Rotary club
Projects should primarily benefit Bainbridge Island residents

Funding Type

Capital Projects Only (buildings, facilities, equipment, infrastructure)
Not available for operating expenses or endowments

Grant Priorities

Projects must demonstrate: 1. Community Asset - Gives the community an asset it would not otherwise have 2. Service to Disadvantaged - Serves disadvantaged members of the community and promotes equity 3. Quality of Life - Improves overall quality of life in the community 4. Environmental Impact - Protects the environment or promotes environmental stewardship 5. Broad Community Impact - Impacts a large number of people in the community

Eligibility Requirements

Organization Type: Must be a nonprofit organization (501(c)(3) or equivalent)
Project Viability: Should demonstrate a functional lifespan of at least 10-25 years
Financial Sustainability: Applicant must demonstrate ability to fund ongoing maintenance without additional requests to Rotary
Leveraging: Must demonstrate how Rotary funding will leverage additional fundraising for the project
Strategic Importance: Demonstrates the importance of Rotary funding to the viability of the capital project

What Rotary Has Funded

Parks & Recreation:

Bainbridge Island Park District funding and ballot measure (1965)
Battle Point Park: Kids Up Playground Renovation (2019, 2001), 2 Soccer Fields (2008), Transmitter Building (2004), Ritchie Observatory Building (1990)
Rotary Field Park (2015, 2013, 1962)
Owens Playground (2015)
Rotary Centennial Park (2005)
Fort Ward State Park Boat Launch Ramp (1972)
Eagledale Park land purchase (1968)
Pritchard Park (2003)

Education & Youth:

Island Wood – 4th Sleeping Lodge (2008)

Bainbridge Island Rowing Center construction (2019)

Battle Point Astronomical Association (2022)

First Years Children's Center (2022)

Community Infrastructure:

Bainbridge Island Public Library (initial land purchase 1960, expansions 1981, 1996, Refresh/Revitalize/Renovate 2016)

Bainbridge Island Commons (1994)

Fort Ward Community Hall construction (2016)

Bainbridge Aquatic Center: Ray Williamson Pool (2002), Don Nakata Pool (2004)

Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network (BARN) (2023)

Filipino American Community Hall new roof (2021)

The Waypoint (2012)

Bainbridge General Store website development (2020)

Cultural & Historical:

Bainbridge Island Historical Museum building relocation (1969, 1970) and renovation (2003)

WWII Nikkei Internment and Exclusion Memorial (2003)

Children's Museum Improvements (2003)

Health & Human Services:

Helpline House Storage Facility (1989, 1992)

Kitsap Humane Society renovation (2018)

Morrow Manor in Poulsbo construction assistance (2017)

Other:

AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) throughout the island (2018)

Bainbridge Community Foundation for COVID relief (2020)

Fire Protection District medical aid vehicle (1987)

West Sound Wildlife Shelter improvements (2008)

Recent Awards (2026 Fiscal Year)

St. Vincent de Paul - Bremerton: $75,000 (Star of Hope Campaign - 38 units affordable housing, women's/children's shelter expansion, food bank renovation)
Suyematsu Farm Legacy Alliance: $75,000 (Restore farmworkers' cabins at Picker Camp)
Bainbridge Prepares: $50,232 (32KW generator and fuel system for emergency communication network)
Butler Green Farm School: $25,000 (Propagation greenhouse at historic Suyematsu Family Farm)

Rotary's Additional Support

Members serve on nonprofit boards
Members volunteer at project sites for construction/preparation
Rotary committees provide in-kind support and labor

Contact Information

Email: largegrants@bainbridgeislandrotary.org Address: Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island, 221 Winslow Way West #302, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

How to Apply

Application Process - Large Grants (Huney)

The Large Grants (Huney) Committee utilizes a 4-step annual process:

Step 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI) - REQUIRED

Deadline: September 15th (annually)

Letters received before September 15th will be evaluated in the Fall

Letters received after September 15th generally will be evaluated in the following year's grant cycle

Timing Strategy: Rotary Club strongly prefers to be involved early in project development

Key Principle: "The later in your development process you apply, the lower the probability you'll get approved. In other words, the earlier you engage Rotarians, the better."

Ideally, submit LOI early in your fundraising campaign

LOI Content: Use the downloadable Letter of Inquiry Form (PDF available on website)

Brief project description

How project meets grant priorities

Estimated funding needed

Timeline

Community impact

Step 2: Formal Application - IF INVITED

If your LOI is deemed suitable for possible grant consideration, you will be invited to submit a formal application form.

Requirements for Formal Proposal:

Completed application form

Organizational background and nonprofit status documentation

Detailed project budget and funding plan

Demonstration of how Rotary funding will leverage additional fundraising for the project

Explanation of the importance of Rotary funding to the viability of the capital project

Evidence of applicant's ability to fund ongoing maintenance without additional requests to Rotary

Timeline for project completion and functional lifespan (should be 10-25+ years)

Community impact analysis

Assigned Advocate: If not already identified, a club member will serve as an advocate and liaison at this stage

Step 3: Committee Evaluation & Information Requests

Large Grants (Huney) Committee reviews formal application
Committee may request additional information where appropriate
Committee conducts further evaluation and due diligence

Step 4: Decision & Board Recommendation

Timeline:

Decisions typically made by end of year

Recommendation to Bainbridge Island Rotary Board early in the following year

Funding awarded to approved projects

Optional Support Beyond Funding

If there are ways (beyond funding) that Rotary can support your mission, the Committee encourages applicants to specify. Examples:

Volunteer labor at construction/project sites

Board member participation

In-kind donations

Professional expertise

Community mobilization

Evaluation Criteria

The Committee considers whether the project:

Impacts large numbers of people in the community

Serves the disadvantaged and promotes equity

Benefits Bainbridge Island residents in total or in part

Is located on Bainbridge Island (or off-island with local Rotary club sponsorship)

Protects environment or promotes environmental stewardship

Demonstrates organizational capacity to manage capital project

Shows evidence of community need and organizational mission alignment

Contact & Resources

Email: largegrants@bainbridgeislandrotary.org

Required Documents Available:

Letter of Inquiry Form (PDF)

Large Grants (Huney) Guidelines

Annual Large Grants Committee Work Cycle Flowchart

History of Awarded Large Grants

Note: If you do not have a default email app (Outlook or Mail) set up on your computer, copy and paste the email address into your email client (Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc.)

Apply with Grantable Learn more