Grants and Donations Committee Update
Submitted by: Lynn Streeter, Chairperson
November 2024
The Grants and Donations Committee, an advisory committee to our Board of Directors, is charged with reviewing requests for funds, ensuring a fit with our mission, and being good stewards of donated monies. The Committee’s recommendations were approved by our Board of Directors on November 15th. This is a summary report to our members regarding the first half of our Rotary year.
Our “Around the World” fundraiser, though a fund-a-cause auction, raised $8,000 for Veterans programs serving our community.
Written requests for grants and donations are reviewed on a biannual basis. Our fall cycle resulted in approval of funds for the following organizations:
- Guatemala Medical Resources Partnership in ongoing support of the work that is being done to improve the health and quality of life for those in the community being served ($2,500).
- Oliveros Scholarship Foundation to help young people in Oliveros, Guatemala through educational grants for basic, technical and university level education ($2,500).
- National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) to assist in the development of the “Green Bandanna Project”, at Concordia University Wisconsin, which involves youth training in peer support for mental health ($1,000).
- Adult Literacy Center of Ozaukee to help underwrite student book fees and expand the English as a Second Language program ($2,000).
- Balance to provide summer day camp field trips for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities ($1,500).
A special need, urgent request grant is being given to Family Promise of Ozaukee ($5,000). The organization is facing a short term, end of year need for operating expenses associated with operating a 24/7 shelter in light of recently identified grant limitations. Planning is in place, by their Board of Directors, to ensure the longer-term viability of the organization.
I wish to thank the following committee members for their time and thoughtful deliberation: Seth Duhnke, Steve Peterman, Connie Pukaite and Father Mike Shay.