PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE DOWNLOADED THE MOST RECENT GRANT APPLICATION AND GUIDELINES DOCUMENTS (UPDATED AS OF AUGUST 2024).  APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED ON OUTDATED FORMS OR APPLYING OUTDATED GUIDELINES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Established in 1997, the Club 21 Program is committed to supporting programs for children affected by disease and disabilities; as well as international healthcare curriculum. As members of Club 21, we are given an opportunity to extend a hand to these children and families.

The Grants Program provides financial support to Altrusa Clubs, ASTRA Clubs, and Districts conducting independent projects of community service.

There are two funding cycles each fiscal year: Cycle One (deadline is September 15) and Cycle Two (deadline is March 15).

Grants range from $250 to $2,500 and are designated for service projects that improve the educational, economic, and quality of life outcomes of communities. Grant funds cannot be used for fundraisers or to support another organization’s fundraising activities.

***Grants Program applicants must be affiliated with an Altrusa Club, District, or ASTRA Club. ***

*** New Changes EFFECTIVE August 2024****

Demand for grant funding continues to exceed the Foundation’s available financial resources. To mitigate this problem and advance our efforts to support Altrusa service projects, the International Foundation has implemented changes to the Grants Program, effective immediately.

CHANGE #1

The International Foundation has replaced the Proportional Adjustment Policy, which divided the amount budgeted for the grant cycle by the total amount requested by applicants receiving passing grades, multiplying the amounts requested by that percentage, and reducing the amount awarded accordingly, with a new award policy that provides funding to applicants who meet the passing score until grant funds are exhausted. This change will fully fund applicants, allowing service projects to better meet their intended deliverables and outcomes.

This change reflects the feedback we have received from Clubs and Districts expressing frustration with the Proportional Adjustment Policy and how it limited Clubs’ and Districts’ ability to fully execute service projects. available grant funding each cycle. The Foundation will award grant applications until grant funding is exhausted. Unfunded grant applications are encouraged to reapply the next funding cycle in March 2025.

CHANGE #2

The maximum award amount available for a service project or individual grant has been reduced from $4,000 to $2,500. Applicants are still only eligible for one grant per fiscal year (June 1-May 31). The award range is $250-$2,500.

Grant Reporting Requirement for All Grant Recipients:

• The grant recipient must file two (2) status reports:

1) Progress Report (6-months after funds are received): a brief narrative detailing project progress, outcomes achieved, and any challenges/changes to project timeline, goals, or budget (1-page max)

2) Follow-up Report (within 12 months after funds are received): complete the Grant Follow-up Form. A Grant Follow-up form is included with the award letter when the grant money is forwarded to the grantee. Grant Follow-Up forms are also available on the website or from the Altrusa International Foundation Office in Des Plaines.

Please also submit pictures, testimonials and impact statements from project activities and events for both reports. Participants must sign the photo release found on our website.

• As a grant-making organization, the Altrusa International Foundation achieves its mission in part through partnerships and corporate sponsorships. Reporting the outcomes of Foundation-funded projects and communicating the role of the Foundation’s support increases public understanding of how we work with award recipients and other stakeholders to achieve our mission.

To this end, we require grant recipients to acknowledge the Altrusa International Foundation when describing projects funded in whole or in part with Foundation funds on social media, websites, interviews, and press releases with the following statement:

This [project/program/etc.] [is/was] awarded grant funding by the Altrusa International Foundation, Inc. For more information, please visit foundation.altrusa.org.

The Altrusa Foundation reserves the right to make final decisions on grant funding amounts which are based on the availability of funding and the quality and number of grant submissions. The Foundation strongly advises clubs and districts to take these new changes into consideration when planning the timeline and available alternate funding sources of service projects for the year.

How to Submit Your Grant Application: 

1. Please read the grants guidelines carefully.
2. Grant applications must be typed in a Word or Pdf document.
3. Complete the cover page, answer all the application questions, and include a detailed budget narrative and budget form. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
4. If a follow-up report for a previous awarded grant is due, please ensure it is submitted prior to (or with) your application. Follow-up reports are due within 12-months of the grant award.
5. Ensure the cover page has the appropriate signatures (see the guidelines).
6.  EMAIL the completed grant application to foundation@altrusa.org. You will receive a receipt confirmation by email. DO NOT MAIL APPLICATIONS TO THE FOUNDATION OFFICE.

Have Questions?

Please contact foundation@altrusa.org with any questions. You may request the applications in Microsoft Word format, if needed.

PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE DOWNLOADED THE MOST RECENT APPLICATION AND GUIDELINES (UPDATED AUGUST 2024). NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON OUTDATED FORMS.

Club 21 Program grants are awarded to organizations that aim to meet 21st century health concerns of children and their families through domestic camps and international projects.

Altrusa Clubs, ASTRA Clubs, Local Club Foundations, and Districts are ineligible to receive Club 21 funds.

There are two funding cycles each fiscal year: Cycle One (deadline is September 15) and Cycle Two (deadline is March 15). Cycle One funding supports international organizations. Cycle Two funding supports domestic children’s camps.

More than $2,500 may be awarded if additional funding is available, and also, if the number and quality of applications warrant the increase. The number of grants funded and the amount of each grant is dependent upon the available funding and the number and quality of applications. The Altrusa International Foundation, Inc. reserves the right to make the final decision on all applications.

• The grant recipient is obligated to use the grant award for the intended purpose and must file two (2) status reports:

1) Progress Report (6-months after funds are received): a brief narrative detailing project progress, outcomes achieved, and any challenges/changes to project timeline, goals, or budget (1-page max)

2) Follow-up Report (within 12 months after funds are received): complete the Grant Follow-up Form. A Grant Follow-up form is included with the award letter when the grant money is forwarded to the grantee. Grant Follow-Up forms are also available on the website or from the Altrusa International Foundation Office in Des Plaines.

Please also submit pictures, testimonials and impact statements from project activities and events for both reports. Participants must sign the photo release found on our website.

• As a grant-making organization, the Altrusa International Foundation achieves its mission in part through partnerships and corporate sponsorships. Reporting the outcomes of Foundation-funded projects and communicating the role of the Foundation’s support increases public understanding of how we work with award recipients and other stakeholders to achieve our mission.

To this end, we require grant recipients to acknowledge the Altrusa International Foundation when describing projects funded in whole or in part with Foundation funds on social media, websites, interviews, and press releases with the following statement:

This [project/program/etc.] [is/was] awarded grant funding by the Altrusa International Foundation, Inc. For more information, please visit foundation.altrusa.org.

Please submit a complete, typed application (signed grant application cover sheet, narrative, and budget form) in Word or a PDF to foundation@altrusa.org. You will receive a email confirmation.

Newly chartered (Chartered less than 12-months from application date) Altrusa  Clubs are eligible for a one-time grant in the amount of $2,000 to support a service project. New ASTRA Clubs are eligible for a one-time grant in the amount of $1,000.

***Grants can be submitted at any time within 12-months of the Club’s charter date.***

Disaster Relief enables Altrusa to respond immediately to the trauma of natural disasters with swift, direct aid anywhere in the world.

Disaster Relief Aid is available from the Altrusa International Foundation as needed. The International Foundation shall respond to disasters specific to Districts. Monies from this fund may go to another relief agency to enhance overall first responders’ efforts. Requests for disbursements from this fund shall be initiated by a written request from a District Governor to the International Foundation.

Disaster Relief Aid is available year-round. Along with the application, applicants should provide a narrative describing the need and project in 500 words or less, including an estimated number of recipients affected. Disaster Relief Aid should benefit at least 100 community members. The application must also include the name of the non-profit for which the Disaster Relief Aid is requested along with the statement from the nonprofit that describes the need.

Requests of $250-$2,500 may be approved by the Foundation Chair. Requests exceeding $2,500 require approval from the Foundation Board of Trustees.