Applications due yearly on May 15th

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The foundation has an underlying belief that its investments in the community and its people should be in the form of assistance that encourages personal or organizational development. Unfortunately, we do not accept Grant Requests for less than $2,500.

Specific areas to be identified are:

• The assistance of youth in their development.

• Programs which encourage the disadvantaged to become contributing or self-sufficient citizens.

• Community science, health and environmental programs.

• Cultural, artistic and, historical programs which enrich our community.

• Programs that assist in the development of individual adults who have shown they are capable of helping themselves.

• Disaster Relief

Annual Grant Applications are reviewed by the Foundation's Grant Committee, consisting of 9 Rotarians with representatives from each of Visalia’s Rotary Clubs. In February of each year, the Foundation Board of Directors determines the funds available for Grants - ensuring preservation of the endowment. All grant applications must be submitted to the Grant Committee no later than May 5th.

During the months of March, April and May the Grant Committee researches, prioritizes, and recommends one or more grants and, a recommended grant amount  to the VRCF Board for final approval no later than June 15th. All grants are awarded by August 1st.

To further the goals enumerated, the Foundation does not intend to support other endowments, government entities, individuals (except scholarships), or organizations which can be inherently self-supporting through their commercial activities. The Foundation will not become aligned with any political or religious organization except in the support of nonpartisan or nondenominational programs that exist for the betterment of the community.

The Visalia Rotary Community Foundation uses only earnings from a growing endowment created through the generosity of the Rotary club members and other philanthropic individuals and organizations within the Visalia community. The investment policy of the Foundation recognizes the importance of maintaining the endowment, and limits annual distributions to a maximum of 4% to preserve the endowment.   The directors and management of the Foundation operate without compensation to maximize the community benefit of the endowment. Currently, all 5 Visalia area Rotary Clubs are members of the Foundation. It is managed by a Board of Directors consisting of members from the Visalia Rotary clubs. It has an executive director and executive secretary who give continuity to these boards.

Statistics

Asset Trust Endowment (1): $7.2 million

Total Grant Payments since inception (2): $2,169,400

(1) As of August 20, 2024
(2) As of June 30, 2024

Geographic Reach

The Foundation supports grantees within the City of Visalia and entities that have an impact on the City of Visalia.