Community Grants Committee

The Community Service Committee represents Rotary in-action. The committee’s main mission is to help our local community thrive. As a committee, we will select the service projects that best support downtown LA and promote LA5 to the community. These service projects will give club members the opportunity to do “rotary” together.



Schedule

As Needed

Chair

Meg Barron

Committee Members

Gary Jimenez
Walker Riley
Carmen Rodriguez

LA5 Community Grants Program

Supporting local nonprofits. Strengthening Los Angeles communities.

The Rotary Club of Los Angeles (LA5) supports nonprofit organizations making a meaningful difference throughout Los
Angeles County. Our Community Grants Program funds projects that address community needs, deliver measurable
results, and create opportunities for LA5 Rotarians to serve.

GRANT AWARDS

$1,000 – $25,000

TYPICAL GRANTS

$2,500 – $10,000

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

All requirements below must be met before an application can be considered.

501(c)(3) nonprofit status: Must have its own IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and be listed in good standing on
GuideStar (Candid). Fiscal sponsorship alone does not establish eligibility.
Three years of operation: Must have operated for at least three consecutive years and provide financial statements for the three most recently completed fiscal years.
Los Angeles County: Must be located and maintain an operating presence in Los Angeles County; the proposed project must benefit county communities.
LA5 member endorsement: A current LA5 Rotary member must sign the application or provide a recommendation letter.
Two-year waiting period: Prior LA5 Community Grant recipients must wait at least two full years after their previous award beforereapplying.
Organizations only: Applications must come from eligible nonprofit organizations. Individual requests are not accepted.

What Types of Projects Do We Support?

Examples include education and youth development; housing and homelessness; health and wellness; food insecurity;
veterans and first responders; workforce development; underserved communities; and community improvement. Projects
should demonstrate clear need, responsible budgeting, and measurable outcomes.

LA5 member engagement matters. Applicants must explain how Rotarians can participate through volunteer service, mentoring, professional expertise, hands-on activities, or other meaningful involvement, and how the project advances Rotary’s mission of Service Above Self.

What We Do Not Fund

Individual financial assistance requests; political campaigns or partisan activities; fundraising galas or general fundraising
expenses; activities primarily promoting religious worship or proselytizing; and organizations that do not meet eligibility
requirements.

Application Deadlines

December 1 (winter) | March 1 (spring) | June 1 (summer) | September 1 (fall)

Submit completed applications and required documents by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on the deadline. Late applications move to the next
review cycle.

How to Apply

Confirm your organization meets all eligibility requirements.
Secure a recommendation from a current LA5 Rotary member.
Prepare three years of financial statements, IRS determination letter, GuideStar verification, current operating and project budgets, most recent IRS Form 990, and board roster.
Complete the official online application and upload supporting documents using the LA5 website application link.

Ready to Apply?

APPLY FOR A COMMUNITY GRANT

Questions About the Program?

Meg Barron
Chair, LA5 Community Grants Committee
Rotary Club of Los Angeles (LA5)
meg.barron@rotaryla5.org

For questions about eligibility, application requirements, or the grant review process, please email Meg.