WASH Rotary Action Group Global Grant Review and Fund

Geographic Scope: International (WASH projects globally)

Focus Areas:

• Water supply and access to safe drinking water
• Sanitation facilities and services
• Hygiene education and behavior change
• Community-led total sanitation (CLTS) approaches
• Menstrual hygiene education
• WASH in schools
• WASH in healthcare facilities

Background:
The WASH Rotary Action Group Fund was launched to help Rotarians undertake improved water and sanitation projects through the Rotary Foundation. The WASH-RAG encourages Rotary clubs to undertake water and sanitation projects that are more sustainable and well-designed. These funds are donated directly to the Rotary Foundation and earmarked to the specific Global Grant once the project has been approved by the Rotary Foundation.

Eligibility:

• Membership requirement: Must be a member of the WASH Rotary Action Group
• Non-members can sign up to become eligible
• Projects must fall within the WASH Area of Focus
• Rotary clubs and districts can participate
• Both International Sponsor Clubs and Host Clubs must have at least one WASH-RAG member

How It Works:
Rotary clubs submit completed Global Grant applications to WASH-RAG for professional review. WASH-RAG professional service team members (qualified cadre members with expertise in water, sanitation, and hygiene) conduct a review and provide improvement suggestions. Once suggestions are incorporated and the project is approved by the Rotary Foundation, WASH-RAG contributes $2,000 to the Global Grant.

What They Fund:

• Water infrastructure projects (wells, pumps, distribution systems, solarization)
• Sanitation facilities (household latrines, school toilets)
• Hygiene education and training programs
• Community governance and sustainability committees
• Point-of-use water filters
• Cooking stove improvements
• Menstrual hygiene management programs

What They Don't Fund:

• Projects outside the WASH Area of Focus
• Applications from non-WASH-RAG members
• Projects not part of a Global Grant

Contact Information:

• Chair: Kumar Sivakumaran (Siva)
• Vice-Chair: Richard Chinn
• Technical Officer/Cadre: Stewart Martin
• General Technical Inquiries: Available via website
• Website: wash-rag.org

Application Process

Step 1: Prepare Application Using Template

1. Download the Rotary Global Grant Application Template from WASH-RAG website
2. Prepare all required information using the template
3. Input the prepared information into the actual grant application at www.rotary.org/grants
4. The system will generate a Global Grant Number for your application
5. Download the draft document with supporting documents in PDF format

Step 2: Submit Draft for WASH-RAG Review

1. Submit your draft Global Grant for Technical and TRF (The Rotary Foundation) GG Compliance Review
2. Submission URL: Use the form link provided on WASH-RAG website ("Submit your Draft Rotary Global Grant for Review by WASH RAG")
3. Important: Application must have a Global Grant Number assigned by Rotary to be reviewed
4. Do NOT submit via email - only use the online submission form

Step 3: Respond to Review Comments

1. WASH-RAG Professional Services team members will review and provide questions/comments
2. Respond to each question highlighted in yellow in the document
3. Include the page number in the Global Grant where each question is addressed
4. Use track changes for any additions made to the Global Grant
5. Keep responses clear and organized to expedite review

Step 4: Incorporate WASH-RAG DAF Number

1. Once all points are addressed, receive directions to include WASH-RAG Designated Annual Fund (DAF) number
2. Update your Global Grant with the DAF number
3. Remove yellow highlighting and add necessary information
4. Send final copy of Global Grant with DAF number for confirmation
5. Critical: Without correct DAF number, the $2,000 funding will not be provided

Required Materials:

• Completed Rotary Global Grant Application Template
• Project description and scope
• Community/needs assessment
• Budget and funding plan
• Implementation timeline
• Sustainability plan
• Monitoring and evaluation plan
• Supporting documents (letters of support, community commitment, etc.)

Review Criteria:

• Project falls within WASH Area of Focus
• Completeness of application
• Compliance with all Rotary Global Grant requirements
• Project sustainability and community involvement
• Technical soundness of the project design
• Clear measurement of impacts

Timeline Notes:

• All review steps must be completed BEFORE submitting the Global Grant to Rotary
• Review process timeline depends on how clearly applicant addresses comments