CNY Rotary’s Public Image Committee is thrilled to announce that Public Image Grants are back—and now even better! Clubs can once again apply for matching grants (now up to $300) to support evergreen projects that boost Rotary’s visibility in their communities. These funds can help purchase materials and tools that promote your club for years to come.
CNY PUBLIC IMAGE GRANTS 2025
Our grants program and back and improved for the 2025-26 Rotary year!
What's the same:
- Still a dollar for dollar match
- Have administrative requirements to meet
- Have to wait for grant approval before buying anything
- Has to be evergreen materials you can use for a long time
- Have to submit your design to ensure brand compliance
What's new this year:
- A higher max on our match - now up to $300 per club
- Rolling process so you can invest and get reimbursed anytime before March 15, 2026
Key Requirements
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Your club must have a Public Image Chair entered in Club Executives in ClubRunner for this year
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MyRotary Goals: Clubs must enter at least their six priority goals (marked with stars) into MyRotary's Rotary Club Central
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You also much follow the steps outlined below to apply, get approval, and get reimbursed
Suggested Projects
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These grants are to help clubs invest in evergreen materials with proper Rotary branding to help improve your public image
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Branded Materials: Tablecloths, pull-up banners, pop-up tents, feather flags, club banners, tote bags, and stickers
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Marketing Tools: Road signs, website development, and social media support (e.g., Facebook)
Items Not Covered
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Event-Specific Items: Banners or materials tied to a particular event or date
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Third-Party Sponsored Items: Products featuring a list of sponsors
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Annual Rotary-Themed Items: Items tied to specific Rotary observances
This year, applications are being accepted on a rolling basis until March 15, 2026 or until funds last. Apply, get approved, purchase and get reimbursed as we go and not only after a certain deadline.
Click the video below to hear the process explained and read on for step-by-step instructions.
CNY Rotary Public Image Grant Instructions
Please follow the steps below to apply for and receive funds:
1. Submit Your Grant Application
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Click here to complete the Public Image Grant Application Form
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Include a short description of your project or idea
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Include a sample or representation (mock-up, draft, screenshot, photo, etc.) of what you plan to create with the funds so we can ensure brand compliance
2. Wait for Approval
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Your application will be reviewed for alignment with Rotary’s public image guidelines
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You will receive confirmation once your project is approved
3. Move Forward with Your Project
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After approval, you may proceed with your public image project or purchase
4. Submit for Reimbursement
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Once your project is complete, complete this form for reimbursement
IMPORTANT: Upon submitting the reimbursement form you will receive a confirmation email. Soon after that you will receive an email requesting documentation regarding your request. Please reply to that second email with:-
A photo of the final product (banner, brochure, ad, sign, social media image, etc.) showing proper Rotary branding
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A zero-balance receipt showing the bill has been fully paid by the club
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5. Receive Your Funds
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Once your reimbursement form, photo, and zero-balance receipt are verified, CNY Rotary will issue your grant reimbursement
Remember:
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No funds are provided upfront
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These are matching grants - basically, we are going halfsies on this purchase
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Reimbursement is only made after your grant is approved, your submit proof of branding compliance and completion, and a zero-balance receipt
You can see this quick video for a summary of the PI grant process. For additional questions, contact melissawardrotary@gmail.com.
Need help with what to post on your social media?
Here is some inspiration!
Why promote Rotary?
The more Rotarians we have, the more good we can do in the world. We cannot attract more new Rotarians without telling the world what we are doing and why they would want to get in on the action! Even Rotary Founder Paul Harris thought promotion was important. He said, "In the promotion of understanding, it is important to reach large numbers - non-Rotarians as well as Rotarians - and you can not reach large numbers privately."
The more Rotarians we have, the more good we can do in the world. We cannot attract more new Rotarians without telling the world what we are doing and why they would want to get in on the action! Even Rotary Founder Paul Harris thought promotion was important. He said, "In the promotion of understanding, it is important to reach large numbers - non-Rotarians as well as Rotarians - and you can not reach large numbers privately."
Take the Time
Sometimes we spend so much time on the service we do that we don't set aside the resources needed to tell anyone what we just did. We also need to make sure we've assigned this responsibility to someone with the time and skills to do the job well. Consider a member who has experience in marketing, advertising, promotion, or public relations to start. Make sure that the Rotarian who accepts the position completes the series of courses about Public Image found in Rotary's Learning Center, found at learn.rotary.org.
Have a Plan
For each event or Rotary story to be promoted, consider outlining a public image plan. Who will you tell about it? How will you tell them? Do you need to schedule social media posts? When should signage be created? Who will take the photos? What kind of follow up should be considered? How will you document the impact of your funds raised or the service project you just did? That is very compelling information for press releases and social posts.
Setting a schedule for each of these kinds of activities will keep you on track to get the word out in a timely fashion, spread the information to maximize coverage of the event/story and hopefully generate more awareness for you!
Make Connections
Much of your external communications will rely on local media outlets to cover your news. Make sure you have contacts and can develop relationships with the key decision-makers in print, digital, and broadcast media to give you the best shot at getting your story featured. Know the difference between media relations and media notification and you will go far!
Don't forget the unique, local opportunities like community newsletters or online-only news sources.
Tell Your Story
A good press release makes for a good story. In today's world, people want to know how something relates to them or why they should care before they will dedicate time or interest in something new. Avoid sending out fact-based press releases that simply provide details on your upcoming event (the who, what, where), but rather feature how your event will impact the community, inspiring people to attend (the why!).
Click here for a quick guide on formatting a press release.
In today's world, you don't always have to submit a formal document like I outlined on the guide. You can copy and paste the content into an email submission. Be sure to include a great picture and caption about what's in the picture!
In today's world, you don't always have to submit a formal document like I outlined on the guide. You can copy and paste the content into an email submission. Be sure to include a great picture and caption about what's in the picture!
Don't Forget Rotarians
Whether new members or veterans, keeping your membership informed is an important part of your work as the PR or PI chair. An informed membership can make your job easier, as you will have an army of Rotarians equipped to speak on what we do! As much as possible, you will want to make sure members know about upcoming activities, details on how fundraisers and programs went and even the basics like who is speaking at your next meeting. This can be accomplished through social media, your club web site, email communications and newsletters.
