The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona Board wants to thank the top giving clubs in each District in our 2017-18 fiscal year. These two clubs excelled in their understanding of how they could support vocational service and alleviate poverty in our local communities through TRVFA. Mesa West Rotarians donated a total of $11,825. Individual Tucson Rotarians donated a total of $11,820, but with their club's additional donation of $2,000, their total contribution was $13,820. There were only five other clubs in the state with total giving over $5,000.
TRVFA income for the 2017-18 year was $28,000 less than the prior year, while grant requests funded exceeded income, and were more than double those disbursed in the prior year. It is obvious this trend is not sustainable. It is not time to despair. It's time to take action.
Effective June 18, 2018, to ensure available funding for grants currently in process, TRVFA implemented a pause in new grant request processing for programs with start dates prior to September 30, 2018. We also implemented a reduction to $2,000 in the maximum grant available for applications then in process. For students with a program start date after October 1, 2018, we have continued to accept applications, and retain the $2,000 grant cap. The TRVFA board is dedicated to expanding our funding resources to meet the increasing number of grant requests being originated.
It is time for us to work on inspiring Rotarians in Arizona so they will have ownership pride of this unique opportunity for Rotarians to support vocational education for "the working poor." TRVFA has been providing grants for that purpose since the our organization was formed in 1990. We are trying to create better visibility with our recently updated website, our facebook page, and the capacity to send electronic newsletters. We know we must do a better job of engaging current donors and attracting new supporters.
TRVFA Board Members hope to make many presentations this fall to clubs in both districts to raise awareness of TRVFA so we can support the expanding need. Board members hope that donations received this fall will exceed our expectations and allow us to reinstate the prior $3,000 upper grant limit.
If you are reading this, please consider sharing information about us with your friends, family and associates. If you are like most Rotarians, you likely have some individuals in your circle of influence who have both the desire and capacity to be generous. While the vast majority of our donors are Rotarians, support of TRVFA is not limited to Rotary Club members.