As nonprofit leaders across Northwest Michigan navigate a wave of federal funding disruptions, we’re listening closely, and learning. Rotary Charities has heard a clear call from our partners: the uncertainty is real, the pressure is mounting, and small changes to how funders show up can make a big difference.

In response, we’ve made several updates to our grant guidance and requirements to reduce barriers, increase clarity, and better reflect the values of trust and accessibility that guide our work. These changes are not just technical; they’re part of a broader strategy to walk alongside community changemakers in a time of transition.
 

Why We’re Making Changes Now

This spring, we joined the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation and others to release a white paper outlining the nonprofit sector’s current landscape. Collaborating for Our Communities in a Changing Nonprofit Funding Landscape highlights how instability in federal support is impacting nonprofits’ ability to plan, retain staff, and deliver critical services. In listening sessions and surveys, nonprofit leaders shared how delays, freezes, and funding losses are pushing many organizations into “permanent contingency mode.”

While local philanthropy alone cannot fill the gap, we can and must adapt. As one nonprofit leader put it, “We're not starting from zero. We’ve built trust and collaboration — let’s build on that.” Our recent changes reflect that spirit.
 

What’s Changing — and What’s Not

None of our grant categories are going away. We will continue to offer Seed Grants on a rolling, monthly basis. Applications for our Assets for Thriving Communities (ATC) and Systems Change Accelerator (SCA) Grants will still be open in the fall and spring. 

📅 We’ve made key updates that will take effect starting with our September 5 application deadline:

Shortened the Time between Application and Funding Decision for ATC & SCA Grants

We are piloting a condensed timeline from the submission deadline for our Assets for Thriving Communities (ATC) and Systems Change Accelerator (SCA) Grants to when funding decisions are announced. We know our nonprofit partners are having to stretch their resources further than ever and make difficult decisions about projects and programs in real-time. Pre-grant meetings are open now, applications will be due on September 5th, and grand decisions will be communicated on November 6th. By completing our grants process in early November, rather than early December, we hope to provide much-needed clarity about the resources grantees have to work with as they look ahead to next year. 

Eliminated Match Requirements Across All Grants

Historically, we asked applicants to secure a percentage of matching funds to be eligible for our grants. While this was intended to signal organizational commitment or sustainability, we recognize these requirements can disproportionately disadvantage smaller, rural, or emerging organizations – especially in the current funding landscape. 
As of our September 5 application deadline, we’re piloting the elimination of match requirements for all our grant categories. We care deeply about our nonprofit partners’ capacity and sustainability – and this is the right moment for us to explore a more holistic, non-financial approach to understanding those qualities in our grantees. 

Streamlined Attachments & Simplified Budget 

We’ve refreshed our required attachments and budget form to improve clarity, reduce applicant burden and confusion and shift toward more relational review. These changes are especially intended to support applicants who may not have dedicated grantwriting or financial staff – and to ensure that the scope of our review is right-sized to what is essential for the process.

Seed Grant Updates

We’ve refreshed — and shortened — the Seed Grant application to reflect what we value: clarity of purpose, community connection, and a willingness to learn. We hope the changes we’ve made help applicants feel more empowered to describe their work, its value and impact in their own words. We’re also adjusting the maximum Seed Grant amount to $15,000 to be responsive to current financial realities and our nonprofit partners’ increasing needs. 
 

These Updates Are Just the Beginning

These changes are part of a longer arc. We’re aligning our processes with our values of equity and with the strategic priorities that guide our grantmaking. We’re not eliminating any grant types or reducing eligibility. We’re making it easier for people doing important work to access the support they need. For details on all the changes we’re making, please see our Grant Guidance Document. 

We know that change takes time. We’ll continue to listen, refine, and adapt. And we welcome your input along the way.
 

Next Steps
 

• Review the updated Grant Guidance Document for details on all changes.

• Reach out to our staff if you’re considering an application this summer or fall—we’re here to support you.

• Stay connected as we continue to evolve our offerings in partnership with you.