To better support the growth of global grants, The Rotary Foundation Trustees recently approved policy changes to help balance financial resources with program demands. These changes will take effect 1 July 2021.

 

The global grants program has been a tremendous success since it launched in 2013-14. That first year, the Foundation awarded 868 global grants worth $47.3 million. By 2019-20, the number of global grants awarded increased to 1,359, worth $95.6 million. While global grant funding increased by more than 100%, contributions to the Annual Fund, which is the primary source for global grant funding, did not keep pace. The demand for global grant funding is far greater than what is available.

 

Moreover, the Foundation responded to the unprecedented challenges brought on by COVID-19 by awarding $32 million in disaster response grants since March 2020 to projects aimed at fighting the pandemic.

 

The amount available from the World Fund for global grants each year depends primarily on Annual Fund contributions. Over the last several years, the World Fund, which provides the necessary funding for our highest priority activities, has been depleted before each Rotary year ends, leaving many grant proposals unfunded. This year, the Foundation implemented several cost-saving measures in an effort to increase the funding available for global grants. The Trustees and the RI Board also transferred $15 million from the Foundation’s operating reserves and RI’s budget surplus to the World Fund. In total, nearly $20 million in additional funding is being made available this year. Unfortunately, it’s still not enough to meet demand. Trustees expect a financial shortfall this year and in years to come due to the growing success of the global grant program.