Overview

The Rotary Club of Traverse Bay Sunrise Foundation was formed in May 2002 as a 501(c)3 in order to better serve our members and the club with respect to funding our local and global service projects. All club fundraising efforts benefit our Foundation, and it manages accounts for our BackPacks for Kids and global service projects, as well as the Rotary Youth Exchange Travel Stipend Award.

Our Foundation sponsors a mini-grant program each fall, offering grants in the amount of $100 to $1,000. Grant applications are available online each August. The grant submission deadline is September 30. Beneficiaries have included:

Arts for All Northern Michigan-Art Escapes, Blackbird Arts-Teen Studio: Voices and Visibility, El Grupo Norte Youth Cycling-Estrellas Balance Bikes, Grass River Natural Area-Citizen Science Volunteer Program, Great Lakes Children’s Museum-Underserved Support, Grow Benzie-Hive Minded After School, Mancelona Public School-Sound and Science, Angel Care Child Care scholarships, Forest Area Music Boosters summer band camp, Leelanau Early Childhood Development Commission, the ROCK Youth Center, Traverse City Baseball Club “Dream Team” baseball for children with disabilities, Traverse Life Center “Life Works” program for at-risk youth.

Over $70,000 has been awarded as part of this funding program.