Niles Rotary Club

Grant Process

Funding for grants is provided by the Niles Rotary Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) charitable foundation formed and supported by the Niles Rotary Club. All funds raised go into this foundation, which is then used to support designated projects. The operational expense of the foundation is carried by the Niles Rotary Club budget. In some cases we can get matching funds from our Rotary District and Rotary International to augment this outreach.

Each application is carefully reviewed by the Gifting Committee and approved by the Niles (Fremont) Rotary Foundation Board of Directors. Grant awards are based on demonstrated community need, alignment with project criteria, and the availability of funds. Grant applications are considered on a one-time basis, interested organizations may reapply each year.

Eligibility for Funding

Funding is available to qualified nonprofit organizations and institutions that are tax-exempt. Proposals for funding should preferably require a one-year commitment in the $500 to $5,000 range. Program and project proposals will be accepted along with capital and equipment proposals.

Submission of Proposals

Project funding proposals may be submitted from March 1 to April 30 each year, in order to be considered for funding. The Grant application is only available during this timeframe. Actual project funding is usually accomplished by June 1 of each year. 

Selection Criteria and Process

The Niles Rotary Foundation reserves the right to select one or multiple recipients of this funding, to partially fund a project and to reject any or all of the proposals for funding at the sole discretion of the Foundation. The following criteria will be taken into account when considering for funding community philanthropic projects/programs:

• Geographical area of activity (Fremont)
• Demonstrate use of funds with measurable objectives
• Life-enhancing, well defined objectives
• Long term community significance
• Any other criteria that might be pertinent to the project.

Proposals which meet required criteria and deadlines will be reviewed by the grant committee comprised of members and Board Members of the Niles Rotary Club. Funding recommendations from the committee will be forwarded to the Board of Directors of the Niles Rotary Foundation for final selection.

---

Recent 2026 Grant Recipients

Niles Rotary High School Scholarships
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
Club Grant – Interact

Feed the Hungry (link)
HERS Breast Cancer Foundation (link)
Spectrum Community Services, Inc. (link)
SheKonnect (link)
Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments, Inc. (link)
Olive Hyde Art Guild, Inc. (link)
Fremont Candle Lighters (link)
Youth Emergency Preparedness Council (link)
Serra Residential Center (link)
East Bay Agency for Children (link)
City of Fremont – BoxART (link)
City of Fremont – Central Park Summer Concert (link)
Music with a Mission (link)
Kid Scoop News (link)
NAMI ACS (link)
SOS Meals on Wheels (link)
Mission Peak Heritage Foundation (link)
Fremont Cultural Arts Council (link)
Ohlone Humane Society (link)
Fremont Football League (link)
LOV – League of Volunteers (link)
Mission Chamber Choir (link)
One Child (link)
Washington Health Foundation (link)

Consider Speaking at a Niles Rotary Meeting

If you feel you are an organization that would benefit from our financial support through the grant process and you fit the criteria described therein, we invite you to tell us more by speaking at a future meeting. We want to know who you are, what you do and why we should support you.