• Literacy Luncheon Grants 2008-2009

• General Giving to Other Organizations 

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

Thousands of dollars are distribted each year to fight illiteracy through the generosity of the community and the work of two local service organizations.

Oak Ridge BREAKFAST Rotary Club and Altrusa International of Oak Ridge have sponsored an annual event since the early 1990s to raise funds for this effort. 

Proceeds from this year's literacy event will be awarded on a competitive basis to organizations whose programs, projects, or activities will foster literacy in Oak Ridge and/or Anderson and Roane counties. Previous recipients have provided services for children and adults in school and community-based activities, as well as family-centered programs.

Application packets are now available.  Completed applications must be postmarked no later than October 15, 2009. Notification of awards will be made after December 1.  The grants will fund projects, programs, and activities that take place before November 30.

"The community has always shown tremendous support for the annual event that provides funds for these grants," said Karen Bridgeman, 2007-2008 president of Oak Ridge BREAKFAST Rotary Club.

"We hope that the organizations that work for literacy will submit applications for strong projects that can make a real difference in our communities."

Quincy Harrington, 2007-2008 president of Altrusa International of Oak Ridge, noted that some 20 percent of Anderson and Roane County residents are functionally illiterate.  "Projects aimed at addressing this problem can make an enormous difference in the quality of life for these people," she said.

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

• Successful applications will propose specific projects, programs, or activities that will foster literacy.
• While successful applicants are eligible to apply for continued support, all grants will be for one year. Each application will be reviewed on its 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 a service area that includes Oak Ridge and/or Anderson and/or Roane counties; directly 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.

Funds are disbursed based on purchase orders or receipts.

Click here to download the Microsoft Word file that is the application packet. For more information or to obtain a a pre-printed copy of the application packet, contact Karen Bridgeman by phone at (865) 463-0043 or via email to rotarykb@comcast.net.

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

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

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