Global grants support large international activities with sustainable, measurable outcomes in Rotary’s areas of focus. By working together to respond to real community needs, clubs and districts strengthen their global partnerships.

Global grants can fund:

Humanitarian projects

Scholarships for graduate-level academic studies

Vocational training teams, which are groups of professionals who travel abroad either to teach local professionals about their field or to learn more about it themselves

ELIGIBILITY:

Both the district or club in the country where the activity is carried out and the international partner district or club must first become qualified before applying for a global grant. Learn more about the qualification process and grant management. Your club and district Rotary Foundation chairs can help you plan how to use your District Designated Funds and learn how to qualify your club.

Consult with local experts early in the planning process to build a strong project plan and global grant application. The district resource network (see below) can help.

To be approved, your application must clearly describe how your project, scholarship, or vocational training team:

Is sustainable — include plans for long-term success after the global grant funds have been spent

Includes measurable goals

Aligns with one of Rotary’s areas of focus

Responds to real community needs — any club or district that applies for a global grant to support a humanitarian project or a vocational training team must conduct a community assessment first and design the project based on what they learn through that assessment.

Actively involves Rotary and community members

Meets the eligibility requirements in the grants terms and conditions

Applications are accepted throughout the year and are reviewed as they’re received. Learn more about the Global Grant Lifecycle.

Note: Sponsoring clubs and districts must submit their applications by June 30 to the Rotary Foundation for scholars who will begin studies in August, September, or October.

BENEFIT:

Global grants have a minimum budget of $30,000 and a maximum World Fund award of $400,000. Grant sponsors can use a combination of District Designated Funds (DDF), cash, and/or directed gift and endowed fund program award spendable amounts to fund a global grant. The Foundation will provide an 80 percent World Fund match for all DDF contributions. There is no minimum World Fund match.