Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary - About Our Club - Seeking Support from ORBRC?

From time to time, organizations and individuals contact Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club about funding for their own projects or activities. The following guidelines were adopted on May 5, 2007 to address those requests.

GENERAL GIVING GUIDELINES

Adopted May 5, 2007, by the Board of Directors

for Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club

Consideration for funding from Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club monies will be given to those programs/projects/organizations that are in line with Rotary International focus (polio eradication, clean water and literacy, locally and internationally) and/or in line with the local club focus (literacy; youth leadership, service and health initiatives; and community, health, and humanitarian issues).

Preference will be given to projects with hands-on involvement from Club members and 501c(3) organizations.

It will be required that:

Funded programs/projects/organizations have a Club member actively involved. The Club member will provide information on a simple application, including specifics about what the money will be used for and other sources of funding. Club will not limit the number of requests from individual members (can be more than one from a particular member; more than one club member can "sign on" to the same request).
Programs/projects/organizations that receive funds will be asked to provide written feedback (may be as simple as a thank you note) after expenditure. No future funds will be allocated to the program/project/organization or member who made the request until written "report" of expenditure is received.
Funds will be distributed at club meetings whenever possible so that club members are aware of distribution (and to provide an opportunity for communicating with the community).
Those receiving $1000 or more should be asked to present a weekly program; those receiving more than $500 may be asked to do so or to speak briefly at a meeting (note: these are NOT opportunities to request additional funds).
Project applications will be due by March 1 of each year; funding decisions will be communicated to applicants after board action, no later than June 1; funds will be available to the organization by July 1.
There is no guarantee of continuous funding; all requests will be reviewed annually.

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LITERACY LUNCH GRANT APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE

Each year, the Altursa International Club of Oak Ridge and the Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club join forces to fight illiteracy in the Anderson County area. In 2011, approximately $18,000 will be distributed locally to help fund programs that promote literacy in the region.

For over a decade, the two Oak Ridge clubs have brought an acclaimed author to Oak Ridge to speak at a luncheon to raise monies for area literacy programs. Proceeds from this year’s event will be awarded on a competitive basis to organizations whose programs, projects, or activities will foster literacy in the Anderson County area.

Applications are now available. Completed applications must be received no later than November 7, 2011. Notification awards will be made no later than December 1, 2011.

The grants will fund projects, programs, and activities that must take place between December 1, 2011, and November 30, 2012.

“We have a very giving and involved community,” says Nicky Reynolds, president of the Altrusa Foundation of Oak Ridge. “Our two clubs work very hard to make sure the community is aware of the challenges our area faces with illiteracy, and to fund some incredible programs that help to combat illiteracy.”

The funds will be allocated through a competitive process based on the following guidelines:

· Successful applications will propose specific projects, programs, or activities that will foster literacy in our community

· While successful applicants are eligible to apply for continued support, all grants will be for one year. Each application will be reviewed on its own merits, and subsequent funding is not guaranteed.

· Funds for general operating support, capital campaigns, or endowments will not normally be funded, nor will grants be made to individuals or religious groups.

· Grants will be made to community-based groups and organizations that are based in and / or have a local presence in the service area that includes Oak Ridge, Anderson or Roane Counties; serve people who live and / or work in the service area; and / or have volunteers, members, and / or board members who live and / or work in the service area.

· Applicant organizations or groups must be operated and organized in such a way that they do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, age, national origin, or disabilities when they hire staff, let bids, or provide services.

· NEW for 2011: Those who have applied for and received funds from this grant program the previous year must submit a project summary and report of effectiveness in order to be eligible for current funds.

According to Nancy Donsbach, past president for Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club, the programs that are funded truly make a difference in the community.

"These grants provide funding for anything from school supplies to books for preschoolers to special supplies that school teachers can't afford but know would be instrumental in helping their children read better," explained Donsbach. "These grants are always important, but in this economic climate, they are more important than ever."

Funds are disbursed based on purchase orders or receipts.

Past grant recipients include: ADFAC, Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, Healthy Start of Anderson County, Clinch Valley Literacy Council, Anderson County and Oak Ridge elementary and middle schools and pre-school programs, Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, Roane County Imagination Library, Robertsville Middle School, Oak Ridge Schools Family Resource Center, and Media for Young Adults, Inc.

Click here to download the Microsoft Word file that is the application packet; click here for the application cover sheet with contact information. (Click here for one file that has both documents in pdf format.)

For more information, please contact, Nicky Reynolds at 865-482-7821 or via email to nicky@oakridgevisitor.com.

Application packets also are available for pick up at the Oak Ridge Public Library.

For more information on the Literacy Luncheon -- past, present, and future -- click here.

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