At our weekly meeting on June 15th, the Rotary Club of Ames proudly presented community grant checks to 9 local organizations, wrapping up a highly competitive selection process for the 2026-27 cycle.
This year, our Community Grant Committee—Jon Christy, Jean Kresse, Deb Schildroth, Sheila Schofer, and Park Woodle—faced the incredibly difficult task of reviewing 20 applications requesting a total of $44,000 in funding. With a $20,000 allocation available, the committee carefully selected projects that benefit the Greater Ames community, address unmet needs, align with Rotary International Initiatives, and offer hands-on volunteer opportunities for our club members.
The photo shows the 2026-27 grant recipients along with the Rotary Community Grant Committee members at the June 15th meeting.
2026-27 Grant Recipients & Projects
Our $20,000 allocation was distributed across nine incredible organizations, funding specific project needs rather than general ongoing operations:
- Ames History Museum ($2,500): Sponsoring the Family Fun Zone at the upcoming July 3rd Big Bash.
- Ames Voice ($2,500): Supporting the implementation of a new CRM system and Obituary Notices.
- Blast Back to School ($2,500): Purchasing essential back-to-school supplies for area students.
- Friendship Ark ($2,500): Creating Sensory Support Bags to better serve the community.
- Martha’s House of Hope ($2,500): Funding much-needed basement renovations.
- The Salvation Army ($2,500): Supporting the Lee’s Greens Summer Share Program.
- Drake Head Start ($1,940): Funding field trip admissions to provide enriching experiences for young children.
- ChildServe ($1,600): Purchasing specialized Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) equipment.
- The Bridge Home ($1,460): Buying new washers and dryers for residents.
A Thank You to Our Nonprofits: Over 80 area nonprofits were invited to apply this year. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to every organization that submitted a proposal. The sheer volume of requests ($44,000) highlights the vital work being done in our city, and the Rotary Club of Ames remains committed to supporting these efforts to build a stronger, healthier, and more equitable community.
Keep an eye out for upcoming volunteer sign-ups, as several of these projects will have opportunities for Rotarians to roll up their sleeves and get involved!