Madison Rotary Foundation's Excellence in Education Grants Program

Our Madison Rotary Foundation's Excellence in Education Grants Program is aimed at fostering educational parity and empowering students from all backgrounds.  Our organization firmly believes that every student deserves equal access to quality education, regardless of their socioeconomic background, race, or any other factor. Through this grant program, we aim to support nonprofits that share this vision and are actively working to eliminate educational disparities.  This grant offers an opportunity for organizations to expand or enhance an existing program to increase the impact on the lives of underserved students in our community. The grant funds can be utilized to expand, enhance, or create partnerships for existing innovative educational programs.  Funds can be used to enhance infrastructure, implement teacher training initiatives, provide resources, or any other endeavor that promotes equity for all in education.  

  • 2026 Excellence in Education Grants Applications are currently closed.

Madison Rotary Foundation's Innovation Grants Program

Our Madison Rotary Foundation's Innovation Grants Program includes one-time grants of up to $5,000 intended to encourage not-for-profit organizations within the greater Madison area to try new things, inspire change and creativity, and foster new approaches to community challenges. We encourage you to innovate ways to enable your organization to better serve those in need.

Innovations might include exploring the validity of potential new services, programs, efficiencies, alliances, or service areas; reaching new demographics, or improving the delivery of existing services. Other innovation types will also be considered.
 
  • 2026 Innovation Grants Applications are currently closed. 
2026-2027 Kay Family Scholarship
  • Are you a Madison Rotary Foundation Scholarship recipient enrolled in your seventh or eighth semester of undergraduate study for a minimum of 12 credits during the 2026-2027 academic year?
  • Are you on track to graduate?
  • Are you in need of funding beyond the 8 semesters of scholarship payments to complete your degree or to achieve another important goal?
If you can answer "Yes" to all of the above, you may be eligible for a one-time grant from the Kay Family Scholarship Fund. If you would like to apply for the one-time Kay Family Scholarship, please download and fill out the application at this LINK and send it to the Madison Rotary Foundation along with a letter from a faculty member who will verify your eligibility for this scholarship. Scholars receiving our EMS grant are not eligible for the Kay Family Grant.
 
  • Deadline to Apply is March 31, 2027

2026-2027 Enhanced Mentoring Support (EMS) Grant Application for Rotary Scholars

Our Rotary Scholar Mentoring program was launched in 2004 by Elle Schatz, past chair and member of our Scholarship Committee for seven years. Seeing firsthand that many scholars were in need of guidance during their college years, the Scholar Mentor Program was established to help our Rotary scholars stay on track to graduate from college by providing them with mentoring support. In 2019, Ellie Schatz established the Enhanced Mentoring Support (EMS) Grant Fund to help ensure the connections made between mentors and their assigned Rotary scholars continue over time.

A total of $5,400 is available each year on a first come, first served basis and requests may be submitted for up to $1,000 per scholar. Applications are accepted through June 30, 2027 (or until the first-year funds have been used). Recipients of an EMS grant are not eligible for a Kay Grant. 

If you are a Rotary Scholar interested in applying for the EMS Grant, please connect with your Rotary Mentor to fill out the application at this LINK.

  • Deadline to Apply is June, 30, 2027 (or until the first-year funds have been used)

Madison Rotary Foundation Veterans Assistance Fund

Phil and Kit Blake made a gift of $100,000 in 2013 to establish a named fund within the Madison Rotary Foundation.  Jorge and Andrea Hidalgo added $105,000 to this fund in 2021-2022 in honor of their son, US Army 1LT Daren Hidalgo, who was killed in action in 2011 while serving his country in Afghanistan.  
 

Veterans Assistance Fund Applications are currently closed.

Madison Rotary Foundation's International Projects Funding Program

Among the purposes of Rotary are the advancement of international understanding and improvement of well-being around the globe.  As part of the Rotary Club of Madison’s annual grants distribution through our Madison Rotary Foundation (MRF), a portion of the funds available is earmarked for international projects.  The Madison Rotary Foundation  annually supports several projects with grants ranging up to $10,000.  Most grants are for less than $6,000 and support projects in developing countries.  Some may qualify for additional Rotary District 6250 matching funds.  Current areas of emphasis are: 
 
  • Human trafficking prevention and rehabilitation
  • Renewable energy/climate protection
  • Safe and reliable water supply
 
The Rotary Club of Madison holds two decision-making cycles per year: typically, one in mid-autumn and a second early in the calendar year. In 2024-25, we allocated approximately $25,000 to these projects. On occasion, the Club commits a larger amount to support a “signature project” designed as a candidate for a Rotary International Foundation Global Grant. Global grants typically require extensive preparation, documentation and decision timelines.
 
2023-2024 Grants and Program Funding
Here is a LINK to Excellence in Education Grants and Innovation Grants that were awarded in 2023-24.
 
2024-2025 Grants and Program Funding
Here is a LINK to last year's Excellence in Education Grants and Innovation Grants that were awarded.