Rotary’s Programs of Scale Gathers Pace to Accelerate Rotarians’ Impact
By Eric Ombok
The Rotary Foundation created Programs of Scale to support Rotary’s member-led, evidence-based programs that have already demonstrated success. Scaling proven programs will benefit more people and foster policy development and sustainable programs. Programs of Scale provides Rotarians with longer-term resources to implement large-scale, high-impact programs in the seven areas of focus.
“With Rotary’s Programs of Scale, our members are inspired to tackle large-scale challenges and collaborate with organizations that share our vision for transformative change, said Ian H.S. Riseley, Trustee Chair of The Rotary Foundation.
“Drawing on our experience from the global effort to eradicate polio, we understand that collaboration and the integration of specialized skills, talents, and resources amplify our impact,’’ Risely said. “This synergy enables Rotarians to develop and implement ambitious, results-driven initiatives, leveraging past successes to build healthier, more resilient communities,
What are Programs of Scale programs?
Programs of Scale supports longer-term, high-impact programs led by Rotary members. These programs are:
Evidence-based interventions that must have already demonstrated success in affecting change.
Locally-relevant to the needs, priorities, and institutional structures of the setting and participating communities.
Ready to grow by having the right stakeholders and systems engaged to bring the intended benefits to new settings, such as a different community or group of people.
Implemented according to a strong theory of change and have integrated monitoring, evaluation, and collaborative learning systems.
Guided by Rotary members in partnership with others, leveraging the unique strengths of Rotary.
Each year, Programs of Scale will support a competitive grant process resulting in one award of $2 million from The Rotary Foundation that is distributed over a three- to five-year period to a club- or district-sponsored program showing success and readiness to expand to help more people in more places.
While the programs must be sponsored by a qualified club or district, the programs will be implemented with experienced partners who are also committed to long-term success and sustainability. Implementing partners may include nongovernmental organizations, private institutions, government entities, or other Rotary entities, such as Rotary Action Groups. These partners should be engaged in program design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and sustainability.
Programs of Scale has a two-step competitive application process that lasts 9 to 11 months. The first step is a call for concept notes and the second is an invitation for proposals to a select number of the highest scoring concepts. All program entries will go through a rigorous review process conducted by Rotary members (Cadre), staff, and other subject matter experts.
If awarded a Programs of Scale grant, Rotary members should be prepared to engage with the Foundation for five to seven years to foster a learning partnership that explores and documents program successes and challenges to help inform both Rotary programming and the work of Rotary members around the world.
Applicants should expect active participation throughout different stages:
- Competitive grant process = 10 months
- Award mobilization and program commencement = 2 months
- Program implementation = 3-5 years
- Learning and sharing results = ongoing and 1-year post-implementation
The Rotary Foundation is currently accepting concept notes for the 2023-2024 Programs of Scale grant competition. The cut-off date for submission is by 23:59 Chicago time, on August 1,2023. One member representing a program will submit the concept note through Submittable, an application tool accessed through the My Rotary Grant Center. To get started, download and read Rotary’s Programs of Scale Grant Competition Handbook. At this time, all applications and documentation will be accepted in English only.
Programs of Scale grant application key dates
June 2023: Competitive grant process begins
August 2023: Concept notes due
October 2023: Invitation to submit proposal
February 2024: Site visits (virtual and/or in-person)
April 2024: Award decision
