WHAT ARE PROGRAMS OF SCALE?

The Programs of Scale process awards funding to successful member-led programs so they can implement larger, higher-impact initiatives in our areas of focus. 
Each year, The Rotary Foundation grants one Programs of Scale award of US$2 million to a club- or district-sponsored program that has proven its effectiveness and is ready to expand. 
The programs need to use sustainable, evidence-based methods and have outcomes that can be measured. 
This allows us to track our progress and share what we learned in order to increase our impact - one of our Action Plan priorities. 

WHAT IS THE ROTARY FOUNDATION CADRE OF TECHNICAL ADVISORS?

The Cadre of Technical Advisers is a group of Rotary members who offer their expertise and advice to clubs and districts that are planning and carrying out grant projects around the world. They also strengthen the impact of Rotary’s grants by safeguarding Foundation funds.
Cadre members provide guidance about conducting community assessments, incorporating sustainability, setting up monitoring or evaluation plans, and properly managing the financial aspects of a project.
More than 550 Cadre members who speak more than 80 languages come from 75 countries. You can connect with Cadre members who have expertise in a specific area of focus or in a particular language, country, or district. 

WHAT ARE THE BEST FINANCIAL PRACTICES FOR GRANT FUNDS?

Because grant funds come from donor contributions, it’s important for sponsors to manage these funds prudently, transparently, and in accordance with Rotary Foundation policies. Some good ways to do that are to:

• Follow your spending plan to distribute and use grant funds for their stated purpose and in a timely manner. 
• Make project-related payments by check or other traceable method. 
• If payments are made electronically by one person, maintain a paper record showing that the payment was approved by both signatories. 
• Maintain detailed receipts and record each transaction. Your ledger should list each transaction and note the date, the amount, and the reason for it.
• Share information so you can manage grant payments smoothly and keep funds secure.

WORDS FROM A VOCATIONAL TRAINING TEAM PARTICIPANT

“With a [vocational training team], you also develop professional relationships between skilled individuals on both sides. The level of interpersonal engagement can’t be duplicated in another type of activity; the team members are not just colleagues but friends.”

— Ron Smith, PDG of District 7430 (Pennsylvania)

WORDS FROM A ROTARY GLOBAL GRANT SCHOLAR

“During my time as a Rotary scholar, I learned to look at development differently. We often think of international aid in terms of poverty reduction, and we often see poverty reduction in terms of dollars spent and earned. The anthropology of development aims to analyze global aid in another way. We pay particular attention to how initiatives play out on the ground to determine just what local communities’ needs are and how those needs might be met sustainably and, eventually, autonomously. … Rotarians understand that to have the most impact, we need to learn from other cultures. As global grant scholars, that’s what we 
aim to do — during our studies, and afterward.” 
— Levi Vonk, global grant scholar and Fulbright fellow to Mexico

WHAT IS A GLOBAL GRANT SCHOLARSHIP?

Through Rotary Foundation global grants, members can support future leaders whose career goals align with fields related to our areas of focus. 
These scholarships are awarded for at least US$30,000 and can fund graduate-level coursework or research for one to four academic years. 
A key feature of global grants is the partnership between the district or club where the person will study and the district or club in their home country.
When they return home, scholarship recipients are expected to talk with Rotary members and others about how their experiences led to a greater understanding of their host country and how they’ll continue to support our areas of focus and spread goodwill and understanding.

WHAT MAKES A GLOBAL GRANT APPLICATION SUCCESSFUL?

Consult with local experts early in the planning process to build a strong project plan and global grant application. Your application needs to clearly describe how your project, scholarship, or vocational training team:

• responds to real community needs,
• aligns with one of Rotary’s areas of focus,
• actively involves Rotary members and community members,
• meets the eligibility requirements in the grant terms and 
• conditions,
• includes measurable goals, and 
• will be sustainable and successful long after the global grant funds have been spent