Wallis Jones Grant
The Wallis C. and Mildred S. Jones “Rotary Friends” program — Rotary clubs and high-school youth working together to serve local seniors and people with disabilities.
Rotary Friends Chair
Reach out to the Rotary Friends (Wallis Jones Grant) chair with any questions about your project or application.
Rotary Friends
Rotarian Wallis C. Jones, a charter member of the Rotary Club of San Bernardino East (now Highland), gave a substantial gift to the Rotary District 5330 Foundation to establish the “Rotary Friends” program. The program brings high-school-age youth together with senior citizens and people with disabilities. Your Rotary club must partner with a youth group to receive Wallis C. Jones “Rotary Friends” funds.
The Wallis Jones Grant honors the legacy of Rotarian Wallis C. Jones, a charter member of the Rotary Club of San Bernardino East, now Highland. Through his generosity, the Rotary Friends program continues to support projects that bring high-school-age youth together with seniors and individuals with disabilities for service, friendship, and connection.
How the Wallis Jones Grant works
To receive Wallis Jones grant funds, a Rotary club must partner with an organized high-school-age youth group that takes part in the project — for example Interact, Scouts, Explorers, ASB, JROTC, or a religious youth group. The funded project must involve the youth group and club members in visiting, assisting, or interacting with senior citizens or people with disabilities.
The youth-group leader and your club’s liaison take part at every stage
- Developing the project
- Monitoring how the project funds are spent
- Ensuring the project helps senior or disabled citizens live fuller, more satisfying lives
- Verifying the project was completed by submitting a final report to District 5330
Projects are encouraged to conclude with a public recognition ceremony involving Rotary, the youth group, and the recipients — for example a commemorative plaque or a local press release with photos. Projects must take place during the Rotary year in which they are funded.
Types of programs funded
A few examples of past Rotary Friends projects across the district:
- Temecula Rotary Noon & Temecula Valley H.S. Interact — cleaned and repaired 48 wheelchairs for elderly patients at a local hospital, followed by a celebration BBQ with entertainment.
- Lake Arrowhead Rotary & Rim-of-the-World H.S. Interact — a holiday celebration at a skilled nursing facility with carol singing, gifts, decorations, and snacks.
- Banning Rotary & Banning H.S. Interact — Christmas festivals for the elderly at three convalescent homes.
- Beaumont Rotary & Beaumont Community Interact — a “seniors’ prom.”
- Big Bear Rotary clubs & Big Bear H.S. Interact — inspected, repaired, and installed smoke detectors for people in need at a modular retirement village.
- Yucca Valley Rotary clubs & Yucca Valley H.S. Interact — a holiday “seniors’ dance.”
- Hemet Sunrise & Hemet H.S. Interact — a winter festival at the Valley Christian Home.
- Riverside East — an ongoing senior project providing blankets and educational information throughout District 5330.
Apply for a Wallis Jones Grant
Applications are accepted September 15–October 31 each Rotary year and reviewed after the closing date. Here’s what your club needs before applying.
Eligibility — your club must
- Partner with an organized high-school-age youth group (Interact, Scouts, Explorers, ASB, JROTC, or a religious youth group)
- Plan a project where youth and Rotarians together serve seniors or people with disabilities
- Complete the project within the current Rotary year
- Submit a final report to District 5330 after the project
What the application asks for
- Club name, president, and liaison contact details
- Youth group name
- Project title, date, mission, and significance
- Who and how many people it benefits
- Grant amount requested and how funds will be used
Anne Marie Duncan
535 W. State Street, #G, Redlands, CA 92373
Phone: 909-654-6191