Types of Grants
The Rotary Foundation funds club and district service through two core grant programs — District Grants and Global Grants — which together support humanitarian projects, scholarships, and vocational training. This page introduces each type and the kinds of projects they make possible.
The two official Rotary grant types
Rotary makes a clear distinction in the governor’s manual: there are two kinds of Rotary Foundation grant — District Grants and Global Grants.
District Grants support smaller, short-term club and district activities — local or international humanitarian projects, scholarships, and vocational training.
Global Grants fund larger, sustainable, measurable international projects that align with Rotary’s areas of focus, built around international partnerships between clubs in different countries.
Scholarships and vocational training teams are not separate grant types — they are activities that district and global grants can support. Rotary Peace Fellowships are funded separately from district and global grants. District 5330 also offers its own funding opportunity — the Wallis Jones “Rotary Friends” Grant, described below.
District Grants & Global Grants
Nearly every Rotary Foundation grant is one of these two. Here’s what each one supports.
District Grants
Fund smaller, short-term club or district activities — local or international humanitarian projects, scholarships, and vocational training. In District 5330 these are awarded as Community Block Grants, funded with District Designated Fund (DDF) dollars to support hands-on service close to home — from food banks and school supplies to handicap ramps, senior and veteran support, RYLA, and PRYDE.
Global Grants
Fund larger, sustainable, measurable international projects in Rotary’s areas of focus, built around a partnership between clubs in different countries. They tackle lasting change — clean water, disease prevention, education, and economic development.
Activities supported by district & global grants
Scholarships and vocational training teams are not separate grant types — they are activities that both district and global grants can support, depending on the project’s structure and purpose.
The Wallis Jones “Rotary Friends” Grant
Established through a gift from Rotarian Wallis C. Jones — a charter member of the Rotary Club of San Bernardino East, now Highland — to the Rotary District 5330 Foundation, the “Rotary Friends” program brings high-school-age youth together with senior citizens and people with disabilities for service, friendship, and connection.
To receive funds, your Rotary club must partner with an organized high-school-age youth group — for example Interact, Scouts, Explorers, ASB, JROTC, or a religious youth group — on a project where youth and Rotarians together visit, assist, or serve seniors or people with disabilities. Projects run within the Rotary year they’re funded and are encouraged to conclude with a public recognition ceremony.
Applications are accepted each year from September 15 to October 31 and reviewed after the closing date. Questions go to Rotary Friends chair Anne Marie Duncan, Rotary Club of Highland.
Rotary Peace Fellowships
Each year Rotary funds fully-paid fellowships at its Peace Centers, training leaders for careers in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. Fellows earn a master’s degree or professional certificate and join a global network of peace professionals.
Important: Peace Fellowships are funded separately from district and global grants — though districts are encouraged to consider DDF support for Rotary Peace Centers. They are a Foundation program, not a grant your club applies for.
Grant success stories
See how District 5330 clubs have turned grants into ramps, meals, clean water, scholarships, and stronger communities — locally and around the world.
Questions about Rotary grants?
Curious which grants might fit a project you have in mind, or how grants work in District 5330? Our Foundation Committee is happy to help — reach the right person through our leadership directory, or send us a message.
See grants in action — and get involved
From local food banks to clean-water projects across the globe, Rotary grants turn members’ ideas into real change. Explore the impact, or find a club near you to be part of it.