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About $250,000 is given out annually
The Ruritan National Foundation annually provides financial
assistance to students to furthur their education past high school.
Build Your Dollars Grant Program
The Build Your Dollars Educational grant program is one of the major
grant programs of the Foundation. This program allows Ruritan clubs
to contribute $300 to the Foundation and get an equal share of the
net income of the Foundation the next year. Using criteria established
by the club, a student may receive a grant based on the students’
financial need, community service, or academic achievement. The amount
of the grant received by the club is based on the number of clubs that
participate and the income available for distribution. The grant received
by the club will always exceed the amount contributed by the club. Participation
is limited to those clubs that contribute within the selected time period for
contributions and that select a recipient within the required time period.
Currently, the club has to donate their $300 between June 1 and September 1
and select a student by April 1 of the following year. If a club does not
have a student selected by April 1, they must submit a request for an
extension by April
1 and allow 45 days for completion of the grant process after
submitting the application.
The Foundation Trustees implemented a spending policy in 2007.
The policy, in short, determines spending levels based on returns produced
by the invested funds but has a stipulation that the trustees will make
grants using 5% or $200,000 whichever is greater. Last year, income from
the portfolio was under the $200,000 threshold and so $200,000 less expenses
was used to make grants. Given the state of the market and projected earnings
it is likely that $200,000 will be the appropriate amount during the 2009
grant making cycle.
Other Educational Grants
Ruritan National Foundation also issues regular grants, which are awarded
to students on the basis of financial need, character, scholarship and
the applicant’s desire for higher education Regular grants, unlike the
Build Your Dollars program, are awarded to students who apply directly to
and are selected by the Foundation Trustees. Download Grant Application 
Eligibility
Any student pursuing a post secondary education is eligible to apply
for a grant. The criteria for selection include financial need, good
character, scholarship and academic promise. Any person that applies
must have the endorsement of two Ruritan members.
Contacts
For more information contact the Ruritan National staff.
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