Pilot overview

T he Rotary Foundation Future Vision pilot is a three-year test of the new grant structure outlined in the Foundation's Future Vision Plan . All clubs will be able to apply for grants under the new model in 2013. As of now, however, 100 districts are participating in the pilot. Pilot districts and their clubs will help refine the new grant structure by providing input, and they will receive specialized Foundation support and service.

Two grant types

Under the Future Vision pilot, there are two types of grants: Rotary Foundation District Grants and Rotary Foundation Global Grants. Pilot districts will be able to request up to 50 percent of their District Designated Fund (DDF) for district grants. Global grants are matched by the World Fund, and the minimum award is US$15,000. Learn more about the Future Vision grant structure.

Terms and conditions of Rotary Foundation District Grants and Global Grants (PDF)

Qualification

Under the Future Vision pilot, clubs must be qualified by their district before applying for Rotary Foundation Global Grants . The qualification process provides clubs with the necessary financial and stewardship controls for meeting Foundation requirements and successfully managing grant-funded activities. The Rotary Foundation has two minimum requirements for club qualification:

1. The president-elect or a designated club representative must attend the district Rotary Foundation grant management seminar. Contact your district representative for more information about this seminar.
2. The club president and president-elect must read, sign, and submit the club memorandum of understanding ( club MOU ) to their district and agree to follow its requirements. Note that the club MOU is a binding agreement between the club and its district.

Because districts are responsible for the qualification of their member clubs, it is also possible that districts will have additional qualification requirements. To learn more about district requirements, contact your district Rotary Foundation committee.

It is important for club leaders to quickly become familiar with the club MOU and follow all of the terms in the agreement. Clubs must assign a member or members to manage the qualification process and ensure they meet all requirements in the club MOU in time to apply for grant funds from The Rotary Foundation. Read the club MOU.

Once a club becomes qualified, it retains that status for one Rotary year, and club leaders must requalify each new Rotary year with the new president and president-elect.

Resources 

A number of resources have been developed to assist club leaders as they prepare for and participate in the Future Vision pilot.

• Club President’s Manual (222)
  Chapter 6, “The Rotary Foundation,” has been updated to reflect the new grant-making model. Begin to think about aligning your goals to the new grant structre. View the Future Vision Addendum to the Club President’s Manual .
• Club Secretary’s Manual (229)
  The Future Vision Plan has a minor impact on the club secretary, but it is important that the secretary have an updated version of the Planning Guide for Effective Rotary Clubs . Replace pages 32-33 with the Planning Guide for Effective Rotary Clubs – Future Vision Plan .
• Club Service Projects Committee Manual (226D)
  Your club’s service projects may be eligible for Rotary Foundation District Grants and Global Grants.
• Club Rotary Foundation Committee Manual (226E)
  Members of the club Rotary Foundation committee will have a large role in working with your club to apply for Foundation grants. View the Future Vision Addendum to the Club Rotary Foundation Committee Manual .
• Future Vision e-learning modules
  Future Vision e-learning modules help enhance club members’ understanding of the Future Vision pilot. Visit the Future Vision section of the e-learning center for the full list of modules.
  • Future Vision overview
  • Choosing a grant
  • Grant management
• Future Vision Pilot News
  Club members are welcome to subscribe to the Future Vision Pilot News , the monthly newsletter that provides Future Vision pilot districts with information, tips, and resources to guide them through the grant process. Subscribe.
• Grant management resources
  The following documents are available to assist clubs with managing grant funds and implementing the club MOU:
• Future Vision Grant Management Manual
• Financial Management Case Study
• Transferring Custody of a Bank Account
• Financial Management Plan Worksheet
• Document Retention Worksheet

More information is available under the Running a district section .