Overview

T he Rotary Foundation Future Vision pilot is a three-year test of the new grant model outlined in the Foundation's Future Vision Plan. All clubs will be able to apply for grants under the new model in 2013. Starting in 2010, 100 districts began participating in the pilot.

Not in the pilot? Interested in applying for 2013-14 grants? See the new Foundation grants pages.

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 pilot grant structure.

Terms and conditions of Rotary Foundation District Grants and Global Grants (Future Vision pilot version)  (PDF)

Qualification

Under the Future Vision pilot, clubs must be qualified by their district before applying for 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 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 (pilot version).

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 7, “The Rotary Foundation,” has been updated to reflect the new grant-making model. Begin to think about aligning your goals to the new grant structure. 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 – 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
• Rotary Grants News
  This monthly newsletter provides information and resources to Rotarians about funding activities using Rotary Foundation grants. Subscribe.
• Grant management resources
  The following documents are available to assist clubs with managing grant funds and implementing the club MOU:
  • 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 .