The Rotary Club of Alameda distributes tens of thousands of dollars in grants each year to nonprofits that serve our community. Funds for this program are generated by a Lobster Dinner, the generosity of sponsors, the Alameda Rotary Endowment Foundation, and local Rotarians.
[1]This year there are two separate Community Grant Programs:
- Annual Community Grants Program of $30,000: These funds are to be distributed among a large and diverse number of the City’s nonprofits to support the diversity of missions these local groups fits represent. These are typically small grants ($500 to $1,500) that may fund a specific project or may be used for general programming. Another goal of this program is to fund small organizations that do not have their own resources to raise capital.
- One-Time Community Grant of $20,000 to a single Alameda nonprofit: The purpose of this grant is to fund a significant capital budget item for the nonprofit and is to be used in its entirety within 12 months.
How to apply
Alameda nonprofits may apply for both grant programs. The application for Annual Community Grants may be completed and submitted here [3]. The application for the one-time $20,000 grant may be completed and submitted here [4].
Please note that Rotary will verify nonprofit status through the State of California’s Registry of Charities [5] by searching for your FEIN (Tax ID number). The nonprofit must be a 501c3. Applicants should review this registry before submitting an application to ensure information is accurate and up to date.
The Rotary Club has tried to make the application process as easy as possible, but applicants with any questions may email [email protected] [6].
Important dates
- Application deadline: March 31, 2026
- Grant recipients notified: April 17, 2026
- Grants distributed: May 12, 2026, at lunchtime meeting, 12:15 p.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1323 Central Avenue.
How you can help
If you’d like to support the Rotary Club of Alameda’s fundraising efforts for these community grant programs, please purchase tickets by February 27 to the Lobster Dinner to be held on Friday, March 6, 5-8 p.m., at the Elks Lodge, 2255 Santa Clara Avenue, in the Rathskeller Room.
The event includes live music, a huge silent auction with something for every budget, and a raffle. A vegetarian option may be specified when you purchase your ticket. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Rotary Club’s Lobster Dinner webpage [7]. The club needs the public’s help in making this fundraiser a success, so please don’t delay in purchasing your tickets.
Rotary Club of Alameda extends thanks to its sponsors: Silver Level—Ed Hirshberg and Bill Dal Porto; Bronze Level—Alice’s Home Care, Nirmal Rout of Edward Jones, Michael Pucci, and Alameda Municipal Power.
Rotary appreciates your support!
Joyce Mercado is the author of Save the Planet in Your Spare Time: A Climate Protection Handbook for the Busy Person, a member of Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA), and President of the Rotary Club of Alameda. Her columns are collected at alamedapost.com/Joyce-Mercado [8]. She can be reached at [email protected] [9].