The Foundation Trustees have subsequently developed and this past fall approved a distribution policy intended to protect the principal in a down market and still provide funds on an annual basis for projects.  Under that policy, we anticipate approximately $20,000 to be available in the next Rotary year. With a good market and continued contributions, this amount could increase in future years.

The proper distribution of funds requires as much thought and effort as the fundraising.  Terry George very capably led the initial efforts.  Terry and his committee helped to refine the interests and desires of the membership concerning a “signature” project.

I was asked to carry on from that point and assembled a committee consisting of: Terry George, Nancy Pace, Geri Marullo, Kitty Lagareta, Paddy Griggs, Susan Doyle, Gay Tsukamaki, and Brandon Morita.  These individuals were chosen to represent a cross section of our Club and for their knowledge of the community balanced with the fact that they are not closely aligned with the current club projects which may become eligible for funding. 

The flyer on the table is the product of that effort.  There are a few items I need to highlight. 

The first is the name.  We discussed at length what constitutes a “signature project;”   one big project which becomes almost the only club project, an occasional big project such as Camp Erdman, or is “signature” really just an identifying image for the club?    The accomplishments of the Club on such projects as The Friends of the Children’s JusticeCenter, Friends of Foster Kids, Kids Voting, Rain Gutter Project, school reading, vision, and dictionary projects, and numerous other projects all have established an image for this club.  We articulated that as follows: “The Rotary Club of Honolulu is focused on supporting the young people of our community.  The Club works to help today’s youth especially those at risk to achieve their full potential as citizens of tomorrow.”    That is our “signature.”

We were also focused on a process rather than just a product.  While $20,000 is a significant amount of money, it also has practical limits.  Because we see this as a multi year effort and potentially multi project, we felt “Community Initiative” was more appropriate that “Signature.”

The second item to highlight is the approach.  Rather than starting with community need, we started with an understanding of what the club desires to put into a project and what we hope to get out of our involvement.   Those concerns are included in the RFP.  We are dispersing this as widely as possible through out the community and are asking the applicants to address our concerns.  Mary will send you an electronic copy and we ask for your assistance in making sure the potential applicants you know are aware of the opportunity. A review process will follow leading to a Board decision in June.  We may need your help in this process and I want to thank you before hand for saying yes when needed!   We may find projects funded from both “John Warren” and “Maile Hale” sources. We may choose more than one project in any given year. 

Finally, we see this as a process which will continue over the next several years.  It will provide us with the opportunity to test our commitments and relationships.  We may find one effort which becomes our future “signature” or we may find that a multi faceted approach best defines the desires of our diverse membership.

When I returned home Friday from Fred Weyand’s services, I had a message from my niece letting me know  that after several miscarriages including 2 failed in vitro attempts, she and her husband had discovered that surprisingly they are expecting a baby and that they were past the scary point.  I was reminded once again of how intertwined joy and sorrow are in our lives.  With our effort here, we have the opportunity to provide our community with hope and joy.  Mahalo for your involvement past and future in making that happen.

The Rotary Club of Honolulu Maile Hale Endowment Fund Community Initiative

Request for Proposal – Must be postmarked by March 30, 2010

March 2, 2010

The Rotary Club of Honolulu is pleased to announce the 2010 RFP solicitation for the Maile Hale Endowment Fund Community Initiative.  Applications will be accepted for all currently qualified 501c3 charitable organizations on Oahu that provide programs and services for children and youth.

The Rotary Club of Honolulu is focused on supporting the young people of our community. The Club works to help today’s youth especially those at risk to achieve their full potential as citizens of tomorrow.  The anticipated  available funds for 2010 and subsequent years  will be approximately $20,000 each year.   

Proposals received for this RFP must include the following criteria and will be scored as follows:

• Project/services are to be provided for children and/or youth, preferably those considered to be at risk 
• Project/services must meet a demonstrated or documented compelling community need  (25 points)
• Project/services must be designed to have  anticipated long term positive outcomes for the young people to be served (25 points)
• The involvement of Rotary Club members is essential. This includes volunteer involvement with definable tasks and time periods. An opportunity to interface with the young people to be served is desirable if appropriate (30 points)
• Project/services should be designed to enhance already existing programs or services. New start up programs without defined beginning and end timelines may not be considered 
• Organizations offering programs/services must demonstrate  solid leadership with a Board of Directors, Executive staff leadership, a proven track record and be financially stable (20 points)

Examples of past projects include Friends of Children’s Justice Center, Friends of Foster Kids, Kids Voting, Camp Erdman project, Hale Kipa, YO house, Peacemaker Committee-Olelo conflict resolution project, and the Palama Settlement library project.

 Information on these projects and the Rotary Club of Honolulu is available on our website at www.honolulurotary.com.

Other considerations include:

• Proposal may include a request for multiple year funding up to (3) years
• Joint proposals from two or more partnering organizations are acceptable
• Proximity to Rotary volunteers who are mostly in the Honolulu area

Please send your proposal of no more than five pages and contact information to: Rotary Club of Honolulu, 2255 Kuhio Ave, Suite 718, Honolulu, 96815. Please include   with your proposal the following documents: your organization’s most recently audited financial statements or review, a list of the Board of Directors,  and evidence of current 501c3 status. Additionally please submit a copy of the proposal and your contact information only via email to administrator@honolulurotary.com. 

The proposals will be reviewed by a select committee of Rotarians and community members. More than one proposal may be funded.

Must be postmarked by March 30, 2010