Applications must be submitted by September 30th at midnight.
Please note that the Fairfield Rotary Foundation has increased the maximum grant amount from $2,500 to $5,000; accordingly, eligibility requirements are slightly tighter and will be evaluated more closely when awarding grants.
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To be eligible for consideration, applicants must meet all the following requirements:
1. Complete Application
The applicant must submit a fully completed Fairfield Rotary Community Grant Program Application, including all required supporting documentation and signatures, by the stated deadline to be considered for a grant.
The applicant must submit a fully completed Fairfield Rotary Community Grant Program Application, including all required supporting documentation and signatures, by the stated deadline to be considered for a grant.
2. Rotary Sponsor
A current member of the Fairfield Rotary Club must sponsor the application. The sponsor must provide a letter/email of endorsement to the organization. The letter must be provided with the grant application.
A current member of the Fairfield Rotary Club must sponsor the application. The sponsor must provide a letter/email of endorsement to the organization. The letter must be provided with the grant application.
3. Nonprofit Status
The applicant organization must be a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization (or other qualified public charitable organization) and provide a copy of the organization's IRS determination letter or other proof of tax-exempt status with the application. The applicant organization must be based in CT – no international organizations will be considered for these grants.
The applicant organization must be a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization (or other qualified public charitable organization) and provide a copy of the organization's IRS determination letter or other proof of tax-exempt status with the application. The applicant organization must be based in CT – no international organizations will be considered for these grants.
4. Length of Service
The applicant organization must be in operation for at least five years.
5. Community Benefit
The proposed project must directly serve Fairfield and/or the Greater Fairfield community or provide a significant and measurable benefit to this community.
The proposed project must directly serve Fairfield and/or the Greater Fairfield community or provide a significant and measurable benefit to this community.
6. Capital Project Requirement
Grant requests must be for capital projects or major capital expenditures of up to $5,000.
Grant requests must be for capital projects or major capital expenditures of up to $5,000.
- For purposes of this grant, "capital" refers to the acquisition, construction, or significant improvement of tangible assets with an expected useful life of at least three years. Examples include buildings, facility renovations, vehicles, playgrounds, equipment, furniture, appliances, technology, or other permanent improvements.
Grants will not be awarded for operating expenses, salaries, benefits, utilities, rent, routine maintenance, fundraising activities, debt repayment, or other recurring operating costs.
7. Project Sustainability
Applicants must demonstrate that the project can be maintained and sustained after completion without reliance on Future Fairfield Rotary funding.
Applicants must demonstrate that the project can be maintained and sustained after completion without reliance on Future Fairfield Rotary funding.
8. Matching or Additional Funding
If the Rotary grant is part of a larger project, applicants must identify all additional funding sources and demonstrate that sufficient funding has been secured (or clearly describe the status and timeline for obtaining remaining funds).
9. Recognition of Fairfield Rotary
Grant recipients must agree to acknowledge Fairfield Rotary's support in an appropriate manner, such as signage, publications, social media, newsletter, or other public recognition, where practical.
10. Project Completion
Unless otherwise approved by Fairfield Rotary, funded projects should be substantially completed within twelve months of the grant award.
11. Creating Lasting Impact
The applicant must submit a separate letter detailing the following:
- How the grant creates lasting impact, solves a problem, or significantly improves the quality of life in Fairfield and/or the Greater Fairfield Community.
- Within twelve months of start, a statement certifying that all funds were used solely for the approved purpose must be provided to Pat Matteson
Items of Note:
- Failure to follow/comply with the above criteria will make the grant request ineligible.
- The Sponsor Endorsement letter/email, the IRS determination letter, the Rotarian Sponsor letter, and the separate write-up requested in Item #11 must be included/uploaded with the application.
- Grant Application Announcement: Grant award recipients will be notified by their sponsor in late October.
If you have any questions, please contact Pat Matteson, Community Grant Program Administrator, at patmat@optonline.net or 203-218-0091.