Rotary Club of Dubois County Community Grant Applications Due March 20

Nonprofits, schools, and community groups across Dubois County have until Friday, March 20 to submit applications for the Rotary Club of Dubois County's 2026 Community Grant Program, which offers individual awards of up to $20,000 for locally focused projects.

The application window opened February 2 and closes at the end of this week. The Rotary Club published a formal reminder on March 10, noting that the competitive process is designed to reinvest locally raised funds back into Dubois County through grants supporting meaningful and sustainable initiatives. Organizations selected as finalists will be invited to present their projects directly to Rotary Club membership, with final funding decisions expected in late April 2026.

Funding mechanics involve two sources. A portion of the total award comes through the Rotary District Grant program, with the Rotary Club of Dubois County submitting that district application on behalf of each selected partner organization. Full grant funds are typically available in early August, though partial early funding may be considered based on project needs.

Eligibility extends to nonprofit organizations, schools, and community groups throughout Dubois County. To qualify, proposed projects must align with at least one of Rotary International's Seven Areas of Focus: peacebuilding, disease prevention, clean water and sanitation, maternal and child health, education and literacy, economic and community development, and environmental sustainability. Projects must also include an opportunity for hands-on involvement from Rotary Club members during implementation.

The range of organizations funded in recent years illustrates how broadly the program reaches into county life. Past recipients include TRI-CAP, which received funding for its Nutritional Needs for Head Start program, and Deaconess Memorial Medical Center, which ran a Diapers and Books Initiative with grant support. The Trotter House used its award for an Earn While You Learn Program, while Dove Recovery House received funding to purchase a vehicle. Crisis Connection Inc. received two separate grants: one for an Internet and Social Media Safety Speaker series and another for a Partnership for Peace project. ALASI used its grant for Certified Translator Training, and Southeast Dubois School Corporation funded an Emergency Backpack Initiative. Southwest Dubois County School Corporation received support for Fuertes Together, a program addressing educational needs and equipment. The Southwestern Indiana Child Advocacy Center Coalition and the Center on 5th jointly received funding for a building security improvement project, and Pine Ridge Elementary School addressed sensory needs and flexible classroom seating through its grant.

Applications and full program requirements, including timelines, are available at duboiscountyrotary.com. Organizations with questions can contact Christian Blome, Community Service Director for the Rotary Club of Dubois County, at cjblome@gmail.com.