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 $4,000 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 FEBRUARY 1, 2024*****

• 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 altrusa.org/foundation.

****NEW CHANGES EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2023:

• Altrusa clubs and districts are eligible to receive only one (1) grant per fiscal year (June 1-May 31) for a maximum award of  up to $4,000.  If a club or district is awarded a grant in Cycle One (September 15 deadline), the club or district may not apply for a grant in Cycle Two (March 15 deadline). However, if a club or district applies for grant in Cycle One but does not receive funding,  the club or district may apply for funding in Cycle Two.

• A club or district may not apply for an Individual grant and a service project grant in the same fiscal year (June 1-May 31); the club or district must choose one (1).

• Newly chartered clubs are eligible to apply for a new charter grant of up to $2,000 within 12 months of their charter date.  A club may also apply for a service project grant up to $2,000 (for a total of $4,000) during the same fiscal year (June 1-May 31) as the awarded new charter grant.

• Grant applicants can expect to receive one of the following funding decisions:  Not Funded, Partially Funded  (i.e., will receive less money than requested in the grant application), or Fully Funded (i.e., will receive the requested amount in the application).

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.

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 altrusa.org/foundation.

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 and ASTRA Clubs are eligible for a one-time grant in the amount of $2,000 to support a service project.

***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.