MONTECITO — The Rotary Club of Montecito has opened applications for its 2021 community grants program, which awards grants to non-profit organizations located in Santa Barbara County.
Grants range from $1,000 to $1,600 and can be used to fund future projects that help the Santa Barbara County area. The one-page, online application is available at montecitorotary.org. The deadline to apply is Friday, October 8.
All non-profit organizations are welcome to apply, but special attention will be given to those who focus on the Montecito area. The foundation will finalize its funding decisions by late October, and the awards will be presented on Tuesday, Nov. 16.
All organizations applying must fall under the category of a 501(c)(3), and a member of the Rotary Club of Montecito must sponsor each grant request in order for the organization to be considered. Those interested in sponsoring the grants must also be already engaged with the organization, whether than be in the capacity of volunteer, donor, committee member or board member.
Last year, the club proudly awarded 13 grants to local organizations amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, including the El Montecito Presbyterian Church preschool, the Foodbank of Santa Barbara County, the United Way of Santa Barbara County, among others, for a total of $60,000 distributed across the community to date.
The Rotary Club of Montecito was founded in 1953 and serves the Montecito area through community service. The club has continued to serve the community throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, meeting twice a month over Zoom. The club will resume in-person meetings beginning Tuesday, Oct. 5, at the Music Academy of the West in Montecito. Visitors are always welcome.
Tom Fisher serves as the club’s current president and can be reached at tfisher@montecito.bank. Learn more at montecitorotary.org or visit the club’s Facebook page at facebook.com/montecitorotary/.