For many who regularly read; ‘Rotary on the Move’, you are probably thinking ‘Why on Earth do we need an article on this sort of topic!!’ ARRFC Janne Speirs shares her own experience learned from working with her first Global Grants.

Article by PDG Janne Speirs, Assistant Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator

Let me assure you that in early 2020 I found myself (a Past District Governor, District Emergency Management Chair, former GSE team leader and Chair and District Foundation Committee member) in a completely unique situation.

Following the East Gippsland fires of 2019-20 we had established a local Rotary Fire Aid Committee on the 1st January. Later I was approached by an anonymous benefactor who wanted to put his own money as a contribution to the Foundation, into a collection of Global Grants that would benefit drought and fire affected areas in East Gippsland. 

Like many other Districts, we have regularly participated financially and as International Partners in Global Grants for communities in countries in diverse as Turkey and New Zealand, India and the USA.

What I was completely unaware of though, was the fact that Global Grants within Australia ARE permitted, as long as they involve all the normal protocols of Global Grant applications. The result was three major Global Grants, two of which are almost fully expended, with the third facing some challenges.

My learnings from this experience and this is where the ‘Global Grants 101’ comes in;

• If this is your first skirmish with a Global Grant (whether for a Club or on behalf of District) my suggestion would be to attack one at a time, rather than three! Ensure, first and foremost that your premise is appropriate and can be clearly defined within the parameters of the Rotary Areas of Focus.
• Always ensure that your Community Assessment is clearly and widely investigated within the target community and that the Grant itself is what THE LOCALS need.
• Always ensure that you have an expert mentor – don’t try to deal with everything yourself. Never be afraid to ask for someone with appropriate skills and knowledge to read your draft application or even an overview.
• Never be ‘embarrassed' to seek advice from others who have more knowledge than you. These may include your own District Rotary Foundation Chair (DRFC), your District’s current or former Global Grant Chair, a local Cadre member who can give you technical advice in the appropriate area of expertise or your District’s Assistant Regional Rotary Foundation Co-coordinator (ARRFC). Mark Anderson and Rob Byrne at RISSPO are a wonderful resource but see first what you can discover through the afore mentioned personnel. Finally, even though he is incredibly busy, our RI Regional Grants Officer Stephen Sundstrom, can read through your application prior to final submission and provide advice on any aspects which may need rejigging before authorization and submission. Stephen was also wonderful in accepting the farmers' request for a change from the donated fodder of the original Global Grant (no alteration in the budget!). This change did wonders for the farmers' independence and self-worth!

• In finding an International partner, think about your Rotary contacts including those in former Youth Exchange Districts; Group Study Exchange Districts; Peace Fellow Districts; Sister Clubs or Districts and Districts where you have assisted with Global Grants in the past. Or, again, seek advice from those experts.
• …and once the Grant is all underway and you are up for your first progress report, PLEASE ensure that you start in plenty of time and complete the report for authorization – PRIOR TO SUBMISSION DATE! Failure to do so eventuates in your District being questioned as to where specific Global Grants are up to. Avoid this situation at all costs!!