Lend a Hand to Education...

Teacher Mini-Grants help Petaluma students

Rotary’s Lend a Hand to Education program demonstrates that a community working together can make a difference in children’s education.

The Lend a Hand to Education program was initiated during Rotary’s 2003-2004 year.
We surveyed the needs of youth and education in our community, and found that school budgets were so tight that teachers often dig into their own pockets to provide classroom materials for students. These needs are even more critical today.

The program's primary and only purpose is to raise funds for Petaluma school teacher mini-grants of up to $250 each. Over the past fourteen years, Rotary's Lend a Hand to Education has awarded $228,500 in grants to Petaluma teachers, grades K-12.

A total of nearly $20,000 was donated for the 2018-19 school year, funding 185 grants in 22 schools. No administrative fees are deducted ... 100% goes to the classrooms.

Teacher applications are reviewed in September/October of each school year for Lend a Hand to Education grants. Funded projects include field trips, science lab equipment, biotechnology supplies,  engineering materials, math applications, innovative reading and writing tools, machine shop accessories, binoculars, health care screening kits, art supplies, musical instruments, dance programs, special education books, world globes and maps, hardware and software, etc.

In order to fund the maximum number of grant requests, Rotary seeks corporate and community donations … and we see an outpouring of support from local residents, businesses and Rotarians wishing to help the schools fund these unique educational projects.

We appreciate the cooperative efforts of the Rotary Clubs of Petaluma Sunrise and Petaluma Valley to support the education of our youth.

Please join us in making a difference by supporting Lend of Hand to Education in Petaluma.

All donations to the Lend a Hand to Education component fund of Petaluma Valley Rotary Trust, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, Tax ID# 68-0222925, are tax deductible.

Click here to go to Sponsor Letter 2019-2020
Click here to go to Teacher Cover Letter Page
Click here to go to Grant Request Form Page

THANKS TO OUR 2018-2019 SPONSORS Ancheta, Dan Archbold Insurance Associates Burns, John & Jayne Carter, Jennifer & Matt Cerruti, Alicia Cinnamon, John Clover Sonoma Cordoza, Bonnie & Everett England, Carol Fishman Supply, Leland Fishman FitzGerald, Libby & John Freitas, Greg Frazier, Tom Guggemos, Barbara & Dennis Hansen, Dave & Pat Hartley, Loretta Jacobson, Noah Johns, Paulie Johns, Ron Klump, Gina Lederhaus, Juli Madrid, Connie

Marquardt, Liz Mayne, Jeff O’Grady, Jim & Joanne Patterson, Jerrie Petaluma Coffee & Tea Co. Petaluma Health Care District Pettibone, Jeff Powers, Dan Praetzel, Paul Rice, Russell & Helene Spivak Rotary Club of Petaluma Sunrise Rotary Club of Petaluma Valley Spangler, Barbara Thornton, Josephine Tirsell, Jack Top Speed Data Communications Tuft, Pam & Sam Watts, David & Janet Wedge, Ralph & Jennifer Westgate Real Estate

Major Sponsors