Small Grant Program

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

Program Focus

The Stamford Rotary Trust Fund provides grants to support nonprofit organizations through direct program funding and general operating grants. 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

Areas of Focus

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

Eligibility Requirements

• Must have nonprofit tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
• Programs must be located in Stamford, Darien, Greenwich, or New Canaan
• Must have community support and address community needs with 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 program benefits the community)
• Private/Parochial Schools
• Organizations that discriminate
• 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)
2. Funding Request Information (narrative form):
   • Purpose of grant
   • Include activities, populations served, and needs that will be met
   • Collaboration with other agencies/organizations (if applicable)
   • Other current, prospective funding sources for program (if applicable)
3. Supporting Documents (PDF format):
   • Copy of Tax Status Determination Letter (501(c)(3))
   • Board of Directors List (with affiliations)
   • Annual Report (if available)
   • Overall Agency Operation Budget

Application Steps

1. Select amount of request ($1-$500, $501-$1,000, $1,001-$1,500, $1,501-$2,000, $2,001-$2,500)
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 purpose of grant and activities
9. List any collaborations and other funding sources
10. Upload board of directors list with affiliations
11. Upload annual report (if available)
12. Upload overall agency operation budget
13. Sign electronically and certify accuracy and completeness

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