Community Grants Program 2026: CALL FOR PROPOSALS

The Rotary Club of Ithaca is now accepting applications for its Community Grants program, which is intended to promote the quality of life in Tompkins County. We intend to fund grant requests in full. We encourage small non-profit organizations to apply.
 

Here are details you should know:

Amount of grant: up to $1500.00.

Who is eligible to apply:

  • You must be classified as a nonprofit charitable organization under section 501(c)3 of the IRS code, or have a fiscal sponsor that is.
  • Small non-profit organizations are especially encouraged to apply.
  • 2025 grant recipients are not eligible this year so we may support an increasing variety of worthy agencies.

What the grants are intended to support:

  • Projects within Tompkins County. 
  • One request per organization, please.
  • May be for special projects or one-time needs that are not usually supported by your general funding sources. 

What the program does not support:

  • We do not make grants which will be used as part of a larger capital campaign.
  • Funds are not to be re-granted (no scholarship programs). 
  • Grants are not usually made for operating budgets, individuals, or projects requiring ongoing support. 

Dates and Deadlines

  • Friday, July 31, 2026, 11:59 PM:  Close of application process.  No applications accepted after this date.
  • Late September 2026:   Rotary Club will announce awardees.
  • May 1, 2027:  all funds must be expended, without expectation of further support
  • May 1, 2027:  1-page final report due to Rotary Club of Ithaca.

How to submit your application:

  • Your proposal must be no more than 3 pages long. 
  • Please submit one copy on the organization’s letterhead by Friday, July 31, 2026. 
  • Do not include annual reports, newsletters, etc. Your proposal must be easily scannable for committee review and received electronically in one file. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 
  • Include the following information in this order:
  1. Legal name of the organization
  2. Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)
  3. Name, address, email, and telephone number of executive director and grant contact person
  4. Organization website URL
  5. Brief description of the organization’s mission.  
  6. Your 501(c)3 status?
  7. If not a 501(c)3, your sponsoring agency’s representative’s contact information
  8. Dollar amount requested
  9. One sentence description of the grant need/request 
  10. Concise needs statement describing the project and its significance to the community
  11. Simple project budget, not organization budget
  12. Names of the governing body/board and officers (may be included as an extra page attachment)
  • Submit your application by 11:59 on July 31 by email to Mary Kane, Community Grants Committee Chair at mkane@conceptsystems.com.

Important additional information:

  • The deadline for expending the funds is May 1.  There is no expectation of further support. 
  • Proposals not selected for funding by the Ithaca Rotary Club will be shared with the Community Foundation for donor-advised funding consideration.
  • Whether your application is successful or not, if you are interested in having Rotarians volunteer at your organization, please indicate that in your application. 
  • Another way to support your organization: We are taking this opportunity to share that the Ithaca Rotary Club members are often interested in volunteering. Whether your application is successful or not, you are welcome to indicate at the end of your application if you’d like us to reach out to volunteer. This is NOT a requirement, but Rotary stands ready to help in many ways!