Rotary Charities of Traverse City: Systems Change Accelerator Grant

The Rotary Charities of Traverse City offers the Systems Change Accelerator Grant to support innovative initiatives addressing the root causes of complex community problems. This grant aims to foster collaborative problem-solving strategies that lead to systemic change, promoting fairness and resilience within the region. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, local governments, and partnerships that demonstrate measurable impacts. The funding encourages inclusive approaches and prioritizes actions that target inequities, fostering sustainable solutions.

Note: Before you begin a grant application, it is essential to discuss your initiative with our team. Schedule a meeting with Freya. This conversation will help align your proposal with our funding priorities and clarify any questions you may have.
Our Systems Change Accelerator grants invest in collaborative problem solving that is different than business as usual, shifting resources, structures and mindsets for lasting change.
What We Fund
These grants support systems change strategies that restructure how things work and aim to change policies, practices, resource flows, relationships, power and mental models so that fewer and fewer people or environments ever experience a problem.
Powerful strategies will involve a constellation of actions: multiple, complementary actions carried out by stakeholders throughout the system. They will create greater equity in a system by considering who experiences the problem most severely and designing actions that intentionally target the roots of those inequities. Our strategy is informed by FSG's Systems Change conditions and MSU's ABLe Change Framework.
Our Grant Criteria
InclusiveNothing about me, without me.CollaborativeDo what you do best, connect for the rest.ResourcefulMake the most out of what the community has.ReflectiveLearn from looking out, around, and in.AdaptiveTake action on what you learn.AlignedSee and situate your work in relation to others.

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. 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.Partnerships and networks are encouraged to apply using an eligible organization as a fiscal sponsor.Fiscal sponsors must meet all eligibility requirements and will have reporting responsibilities, including a final report and budgetPrior 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 We FundWe do not limit funding to specific issue areas and will consider initiatives that will lead to a more fair, thriving, and resilient region for all.Potential Grant UsesThe actions that will change a system are unique to the particular context of that system. Some actions that have been funded in previous years include: Convening of cross-sector networks that are working together to share information and best practices, align work more effectively, experiment with new innovations, and learn Advocacy work to increase public or legislative supportCommunication work to change public narratives about a problem or solution Stipends to compensate stakeholders experiencing a problem to participate in creating solutions  Creating new standards for data collection, sharing and use between organizations Are You Ready For This Grant?Systems Change is driven by intentional, inclusive problem solving processes that are different from business as usual. This grant is available to initiatives that have done significant groundwork together before applying:Built a team of diverse stakeholders that have worked together to see the complex problem from many angles and perspectivesAble to describe the current status of the problem, how many are experiencing it or are affected by it, the "status quo" approach to the problem, and why the timing is right for changeIdentified and prioritized leverage points for changeDesigned a constellation of actions that will impact those leverage points to change the system that is creating the problemEstablished partnership agreements with organizations that will implement your constellation of actions, leveraging each party’s unique assets Created structures to stay connected with others working in the targeted system who are not directly involved in the current initiativeGetting ReadyWe support the convening, engaging, investigating, and planning activities that will prepare you for a Systems Change Accelerator initiative.Organizations serving as a fiscal sponsor may be able to submit more than one application for different initiatives with approval.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 grants.No 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.