Rotary clubs manage to fund community projects thanks to the generous support of local businesses and residents, while heavily relying on their members to physically help and spend many hours on projects, using their expertise and talents.
But that is not the only way that clubs maintain their local activities.
The Rotary Foundation, founded in 1917, has awarded more than 1.9 billion dollars in grants, which are distributed by local Rotary clubs. However, there are 33,000 clubs worldwide, and to obtain a grant from the Foundation, a club has to go through a time-consuming application process, whether or not in partnership (matching grant) with another club. The Foundation is very selective. Its decisions are based on assessed community needs and the commitment of experienced project managers. A thorough review of each application in terms of post-funding sustainability is also part of the process. In adherence to Rotary International standards, projects must be completed on time and within budget.
Here are some of the recently completed projects in the last year or two:
- A solar energy water and electric system, together with commercial kitchen equipment, at Hope House.
- Industry-standard woodworking machines and tools for a comprehensive furniture making training program at Have Hammers.
- A solar energy system at Love in Action.
- Computer lab equipment and musical instruments at the San Nicholas de Ibarra Secundaria school.
- A potable water facility in Tlachichilco.
Partners, funding
The Rotary Club of Ajijic is currently is seeking partners and funding for the following community projects:
- Love in Action Facilities Repairs. Maintenance repairs to buildings, and upgrading of kitchen equipment.
- Humane Education Alliance. An Anti-violence/bullying prevention/intervention and conflict resolution curriculum for public schools.
- San Juan Cosala Malecon Expansion. Additional recreational facilities.
- San Juan Cosala Soccer Sponsorship. Funding to purchase uniforms, shoes, and equipment for the formation of a soccer league.
- Stop Hunger Program. Distributing meals in poor areas.
- Ajijic Fire Department Equipment. Fire trucks, apparatus, personal protection equipment, and an ambulance
- Tepehua Young Adult Education.
- Educational program for drug and violence prevention, and sexual awareness with gender perspective for young adults.
- Hope House Multi-Sport Field. Building an athletic field where the boys can exercise, learn different sports, and learn how to be team players. The field would also benefit the local village of Ixtlahuacan.
- Codeni Dance. Workshops for developing dance and music skills, and providing positive alternatives to urban street life and delinquency. The program is intended for all youth at risk in Guadalajara and other communities.
- Hope House Industrial Arts/Literacy Training and Agricultural Training. Outfitting an existing facility with tools for life-skills training purposes. Providing a solar water heating system, a storage shed and tools. In addition, the purchase of fish, seeds, and other items to yield a thriving aquaponics system for providing both food and a meaningful agricultural training for the boys.
- Tepehua Maternal Health. A continuation of the Maternal Health Program. Education and prevention instead of just curing problems.
- Habitat Tepehua and Foundations of Hope. Teaching the men in the local community how to repair and build, especially foundations that will not move or crack, and contain water pipes for connecting to city water supplies.
- Wheelchair Distribution and Seating Clinic. Providing wheelchairs and other mobility equipment to disabled poor children and adults in Guadalajara and the surrounding area, including the training of physiotherapists.
- Hands On. Providing labor and addressing maintenance needs of two orphanages and a community center.
And, of course, there is education. The club’s long-established program scholarships, for which the club has set up an endowment fund that enables others to contribute to the program; and the ongoing program ARDAT (Rotary Dog Assisted Therapy), which utilizes trained dogs to help children improve their reading skills and teach them respect for animals (and hence for each other).
To contact the Rotary Club of Ajijic, view photos of projects, or obtain information about membership, visit www.rotaryajijic.org.