Rotarians used humanitarian grants to turn the Gobi desert green, planting 58,000 locally grown trees to build a forest windbreak. As part of the Keep Mongolia Green effort, Rotarians and Rotaractors from all 17 Korean districts have traveled to the Gobi to participate in the project, which will help protect parts of Korea and Mongolia from the health and environmental hazards of the Gobi’s annual sandstorms.
Humanitarian grants enable Rotarians to support service projects that provide water wells, medical care, literacy classes, and other essentials to people in need. Rotarian participation is key to the projects’ success. Through the Humanitarian Grants Program, Rotarians have received US$1.6 billion in grant awards since 1947.
- Disaster Recovery funds are collected on a temporary, restricted basis to support Rotary club and district disaster recovery efforts, focusing on long-term reconstruction. Read more about disaster recovery.
- District Simplified Grants enable districts to support service activities or humanitarian endeavors that benefit local or international communities. Requests may be submitted between 1 July and 31 March, and funds are available the following July. Read more about District Simplified Grants.
- Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants are awarded to fund large long-term international self-help and grassroots development projects that use an integrative approach to address humanitarian needs. Proposals are accepted from 1 July to 31 March.
Read more about 3-H grants.
- Matching Grants help Rotary clubs and districts carry out humanitarian projects with clubs and districts in other countries. The Rotary Foundation provides a one-to-one match for each US$1 District Designated Fund/SHARE contribution and a $0.50 match for each new $1 cash contribution. Applications are accepted from 1 July to 31 March.
Read more and apply for a Matching Grant.
- Volunteer Service Grants support qualified Rotarians and their spouses traveling abroad to plan needed projects or provide essential services in a community. This flat grant program offers $3,000 for an individual or $6,000 for a team of up to five. Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Read more and apply for a Volunteer Service Grant.
Grant funds may be used for capital on revolving loans, also called microcredit or village banking, which allow low-income people, usually women, to borrow money, animals, or equipment to facilitate small businesses. Read more about revolving loans.
The Humanitarian Grants Cadre of Technical Advisers is a registry of Rotarians willing to provide technical expertise to The Rotary Foundation and to Rotarians developing and implementing 3-H and competitive Matching Grant projects worldwide. Learn more about the cadre or register as a member.
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