Rotary Charities of Traverse City: Assets for Thriving Communities Grant

The Rotary Charities of Traverse City offers the Assets for Thriving Communities Grant, aimed at supporting initiatives that enhance community assets in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau counties. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and local governments. This grant encourages significant groundwork to engage the community and establish partnerships. Priority is given to projects that demonstrate clear community needs and have a plan for broad asset accessibility, promoting a fair and resilient region.

NOTE: A Pre-Grant Meeting (Pre-proposal) is required before submitting an application.
Community assets that are available to everyone are the building blocks of a fair, thriving, and resilient region. Our Assets for Thriving Community grants support the infrastructure & initiatives our neighbors need.
What We Fund
This category is intended for projects that have done significant groundwork prior to application to engage the community, establish working relationships with stakeholders, and execute research to inform strategy.

Eligibility

Organizational EligibilityEligible applicants provide services in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau counties and include 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations, Native nations, local units of government and school districts. Partnerships and networks are encouraged to apply using an eligible organization as a fiscal sponsor.Organizations serving as a fiscal sponsor may be able to submit more than one application for different initiatives with approval.Fiscal sponsors must meet all eligibility requirements and will have reporting responsibilities, including a final report and budget. Fiscal sponsors are encouraged to create and submit an MOU or other official agreements with project partners. Prior to applying, the applicant should have 501(c)(3) status and have been providing services for at least one year.Applications from units of government, governmental departments, organizations, and schools must be approved by the elected body that is ultimately responsible for the grant funds and implementation.We accept proposals from faith-based organizations that have clearly demonstrated public benefit.What is Rotary Charities' service area?Our service region covers Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau counties in Northwest Lower Michigan. Organizations located outside the five-county area may be considered for funding if their work impacts area residents, and those services can be clearly measured and/or documented.
Potential Grant UsesSome potential grant uses include, but are not limited to:Multi-modal transportationAffordable housingAccessible recreationArts & cultureEnergy (efficiency, conservation, renewable)Child welfareLand preservationHealth and wellbeingEducationAdapting a program or service to Covid-19Are You Ready For This Grant?This grant is available to initiatives that have done significant groundwork together before applying. Successful applicants:Share evidence showing the need for the project in this community. Have a plan to make the asset widely available to the public; or, plan to expand an existing asset so it is more widely available.Consulted with project beneficiaries, who have shaped their approach.Have a match (secured or pending) for at least 50% of the total project cost, or are able to demonstrate a plan for the funding required.Secured written MOUs or partnership agreements, if funds will be shared among partners. Secured governmental approval (zoning, permitting, etc.) if needed. Had a pre-grant meeting with our staff.It is allowable to have active grants in one of the biannual categories – Assets for Thriving Communities or Systems Change Accelerator – concurrent with a grant in one of the monthly categories – Seed Grants and Learning Fund. Current grants must be closed in order to apply for a new grant in the same category.

Ineligibility

Private foundations and individuals are not eligible for grant funding.Generally, start-up organizations are not eligible for Rotary Charities grantsNo part of a grant may be used for, or applied to:Debt serviceEndowment fundsPlaygroundsImmediate short-term emergency needs of clients (for rent payment, gas money, food, etc.)Educational programs for individual school districts, unless they are intended to eventually serve the five-county Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School DistrictProposals will not be considered for any religious programs or services that:Require a person to hold or accept a particular religious belief, doctrine, or creed as a condition to receive servicesPrimarily address spiritual needsHave evangelism as the primary purpose of the program and do not respect the diversity of religious and spiritual beliefs of all individualsDirect applicants may not submit more than one application in one category during the same grant cycle.