Salem Rotary opens grant applications worth up to $30,000

Salem-area nonprofits can apply for up to $30,000 through the Rotary Club of Salem's Good Works Large Grant.

The club is accepting applications for the 2026/2027 grant cycle, which funds projects that promote health, education and general welfare in Salem and the surrounding area, with a focus on youth, according to the club's website. The deadline is Oct. 21.

Applications must be emailed to Good Works Committee contact Beth Rhoades at [email protected] by 10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21.

What qualifies

The grant targets long-term projects that provide community benefits for years, such as public space improvements or self-sustaining programs. Projects that would exhaust the funds quickly, such as salaries or program fees, will not be funded.

The total award ranges from $5,000 to $30,000. Only Salem-area nonprofit organizations may apply, and any group that received a large grant within the past three years is ineligible.

What happens next

The Good Works Committee will review all submissions and conduct 15-minute oral interviews with finalists on the evening of Monday, Nov. 9. The Rotary Club of Salem Board of Directors will make the final funding decision.

All applicants will be notified of their status by Tuesday, Dec. 15. A formal announcement of the grant recipient is expected by late December.

After the award

Funded projects should wrap up by June 30, 2028. Grantees must provide progress updates to the committee and attend a Rotary meeting to present their project and identify volunteer opportunities for club members.

The Rotary Club of Salem has offered the Good Works Large Grant in prior years, running application cycles for both the 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 grant periods.

How to apply

The application is available for download on the Rotary Club of Salem's website. Completed applications go to Rhoades at the same email address. The club said applicants will receive an email confirmation within 24 hours of submission. Questions can also be directed to Rhoades at [email protected].