“Service Above Self” resonates throughout the Rotary Community. We are here to serve the community in any way we are able. There are some limitations as to the type and level of support we give to other “Not For Profits” who share our commitment to improve our world.

Community Support Guidelines and Policies

The Rotary Club of Winchester (RCW) generally concentrates its resources locally in order to maximize benefits to area residents. Financial support will be considered to nonprofits in diverse fields to improve lives of residents in the City of Winchester and Frederick County.

Funding areas include:

  • Children and Families
  • Health and Human Services
  • Culture and Arts
  • Civic Progress
  • Education
  • Environment and Preservation

In these funding areas the RCW is interested in working with organizations and associations to build on community strengths and find solutions to community problems.

The RCW seeks to support charitable organizations by making capital, equipment and operating contributions to support their capacity to enhance services in our communities. In general, the RCW does not make contributions for:

  • Annual fundraising drives
  • Individuals
  • Debt retirement or deficit financing
  • Economic development to Government agencies
  • Endowments
  • Fraternal organizations, societies or orders
  • Medical research
  • Religious organizations for religious purposes
  • Political organizations or political campaigns
  • Travel and conferences

Please consider this information as guidelines, not rules. The RCW is willing to consider any proposal that could have a major positive impact on the community, especially if funding is not available from any other source. The RCW makes contributions on an equal opportunity basis adhering to the values and principles enumerated in our nondiscrimination statement.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The RCW seeks to enhance the quality of life for all citizens in the City of Winchester and Frederick County as our dynamic community continues to grow and change.

The RCW Board of Director’s recognize the future strength of this community rests firmly on its commitment to value, respect and fully embrace the richness of a diverse citizenry.

The RCW values organizations within our community that reflect and promote diversity in the City of Winchester and Frederick County. We seek organizations that incorporate diversity into their work and strive to create diverse governance boards, relationships with partner organizations and to serve diverse constituents.

The RCW believes no person should be excluded from agency services, employment or volunteer participation because of age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or religious belief, or for any other discriminatory reason.

The RCW Funding Program requires applicants to hold similar standards and provide a written statement documenting their agreement. Applications from organizations known to have discriminatory policies will not be considered.

Funding Guidelines

Program Areas and Funding Preferences:

1. CHILDREN AND FAMILIES: The RCW seeks to support activities that strengthen families and help build sustainable neighborhood environments that care about family development and the safety of our children.

Funding will be considered for programs and projects that develop the strengths of families and young people and in so doing increase the potential for children and families to thrive in our neighborhoods. We encourage projects that promote safe neighborhoods, healthy home environments, support positive behavioral changes and encourage family communication and involvement in the community.

Applicants must address the community need for the proposed program or activity and demonstrate a broad base impact, enumerating the sustainable merits of their project or program to improve neighborhood environments for children and families.

2. CULTURE AND ARTS: The RCW seeks to support programs and organizations that enhance our cultural understanding and provide experiences that improve our sense of community. Included specifically are arts organizations providing music, drama and art which serve to inspire creativity and enrich the mind and which ultimately enhance cultural activities in Northern Shenandoah Valley area.

Funds will be considered for new and existing organizations which strengthen the sense of community in our area through cultural programs that broaden accessibility for area residents to participate.

Applicants must address the unique qualities (artistic or otherwise) and merit of the projects or program, and demonstrate the community demand or need for the proposed activity.

3. CIVIC PROGRESS: The RCW seeks to support programs and organizations that propose practical approaches to resolve current community problems and promote a sustainable community. We wish to promote neighbors vested in a shared commitment to their common home, projects that are likely to make a clear difference in the quality of life of a substantial number of area residents, and activities that are collaborative models of service, voluntarism and community leadership development.

Funds will be considered for programs and organizations that promote expanded knowledge and examination of humanitarian issues, and propose solutions that improve the quality of life in our area.

Applicants must address how their project or program addresses the issue they seek to resolve, how a successful outcome will promote a just, equitable and sustainable society, and demonstrate the community’s need and urgency for the expanded capacity being proposed.

4. EDUCATION: The RCW seeks to support education programs and projects that ensure all students gain access to an education of the highest quality which prepares them for success in today’s knowledge-based economy. Specifically included are programs that advance literacy.

Funds will be considered for projects and programs that expand educational capacity, adhere to high standards, are innovative and strengthen learning for a full range of students. Projects should be mindful of improving conditions and learning opportunities for youth at risk, children with learning needs and any student who is in a disadvantaged learning situation.

Applicants must address how their proposal elevates educational capacity and provision, how the need was identified, and the range of students impacted.

5. ENVIRONMENT AND PRESERVATION: The RWC seeks to support organizations and activities that enhance our way of life through good stewardship of the air, land and water that sustain our community, and support the welfare of all life, both human and animal. Specifically included is the intent to support good stewardship of our abundant historical legacy in the City of Winchester and Frederick County.

Recognizing that our daily lives are enriched through our historical legacy in the City of Winchester and Frederick County, funds will be considered for projects that incorporate respect for our historical legacy, engender a healthy environment for people and animals, and promote practices that have a sustainable positive impact on the community.

Applicants must address how the merits of their proposal enhance stewardship of the environment, demonstrate the community need, and define the positive impact on the community with respect to humans and/or animals.

6. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES: The RCW seeks to support organizations and projects that improve conditions and opportunities for those who are poor and/or disadvantaged, especially for vulnerable populations such as our youth, seniors and those living in poverty. Of particular interest is effective healthcare and housing programs and related support activities that expand basic services for residents in our community.

Funds will be considered for programs and organizations that emphasize improving self-sufficiency for residents who require assistance in day to day living with special attention to the infirm, disabled, youth, seniors, and those living in poverty. Projects should have potential to make a significant impact on the quality of life.

Applicants must address the quality and sustainable merit(s) of the service and/or healthcare program proposed to improve living conditions, and demonstrate community demand or need for the proposal.

Eligibility

To be eligible for funding, an applicant must:

Be a public charity, with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Code), or a public entity described in sections 170 and 2055 of the Code, such as school districts and municipalities.

Provide services within the City of Winchester and Frederick County.

Be organized and operated so that there is no illegal discrimination on the basis of race, religion gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or disability.

How to Apply:

If you have a funding proposal for a program area that is over $500, and meet the eligibility requirements, please include the following information in the Application:

  • The name, address and phone number of the fiscal organization applying.
  • The name, daytime phone number, and title of the contact person.
  • The organization’s mission statement.
  • A brief description of the project, why it’s important, anticipated results, and total project budget.
  • The amount requested from the RCW.
  • A copy of the current Internal Revenue Service determination letter confirming your organization’s status as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3), and a public charity or equivalent information if your organization is a public entity.

Faxed and emailed copies of applications are not accepted.

Please submit all applications to:

The Rotary Club of Winchester
P.O. Box 412
Winchester, VA 22604