Matching Grant budget update

Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation have had to make important decisions in light of the current financial environment. At the January Trustees meeting, a decision was made to reduce the 2008-09 Matching Grant budget in order to conserve The Rotary Foundation's World Fund. As of 2 March, the Matching Grant budget has been fully committed, and the Trustees are unable to approve any additional grant applications.   

As a result of the budget reductions, no new Matching Grant applications will be accepted in the 2008-09 Rotary year. New applications received by the Foundation will be returned to the sponsors without processing. Applications that were received by the Foundation before the commitment of the available budget will remain at the Foundation and can move forward for processing in the 2009-10 Rotary year. Humanitarian Grants staff are in the process of notifying the sponsors of these applications, and their district leadership, of these updates. 

At their April meeting, the Trustees will evaluate the current financial situation and approve a budget for 2009-10. Detailed information about Matching Grant funding will be available after the meeting, and the Rotary International Web site will be updated with all pertinent information. Please visit www.rotary.org for further updates. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding during these difficult financial times.