Joliet Rotary Raffle Grant for Community Projects
Since 1984, the Rotary Club of Joliet's Annual Rotary Raffle has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into projects that strengthen our community, improve lives, and create lasting impact. What began as a fundraising effort to support local needs has grown into one of the club's most significant charitable initiatives, providing funding for community organizations, educational opportunities, healthcare services, youth programs, accessibility improvements, and capital projects throughout Joliet and Will County.
Today, the Rotary Raffle Grant continues that tradition by providing up to $50,000 annually to support programs and projects that improve the quality of life in our community.
2026 Rotary Raffle Recipient
The Rotary Club of Joliet is proud to announce Morning Star Mission as the recipient of the 2026 Rotary Raffle Grant. The organization will receive $30,000 to support critical facility improvements that will enhance housing spaces and improve safety, comfort, and stability for women and families rebuilding their lives.
Morning Star Mission joins a distinguished list of nonprofit organizations that have benefited from Rotary's annual raffle program and its commitment to strengthening the community through strategic investments and community partnerships.
A Legacy of Giving
Building Community Assets
1984-1988 – More than $250,000 and numerous in-kind contributions helped build the Rotary Sports Complex at the Galowich Family YMCA.
1989 – Established a $75,000 endowment fund to support maintenance of the YMCA sports fields.
1990 – Contributed $30,000 to Habitat for Humanity for the construction of two homes.
1991 – Donated $30,000 to establish a medication endowment fund at the Will-Grundy Medical Clinic.
1992 – Provided $26,100 to support the D-FY-IT drug-testing program in local high schools.
Supporting Families and Accessibility
1993 – Funded equipment for Easterseals' accessible playground and secured 18 hospital beds that were shipped to a clinic in Mexico.
1994 – Purchased a 15-passenger van for the Salvation Army.
1995 – Contributed $30,000 to renovate facilities for an abused women's shelter.
1996 – Donated $32,000 to Easterseals for the furnishing of a supervisory group home.
1997 – Provided $30,000 for specialized playground equipment at United Cerebral Palsy Park.
Investing in Education and Healthcare
1998 – Established endowed scholarship funds at Joliet Junior College, Lewis University, and the University of St. Francis.
1999 – Funded the creation of the Will-Grundy Rotary Dental Clinic.
2000 – Supported Morning Star Mission Ministries' kitchen renovation project.
2001 – Shared $30,000 between Salvation Army kitchen improvements and Will County Humane Society facility renovations.
2002 – Expanded Rotary's college scholarship endowment program.
2003 – Contributed $30,000 toward construction of a patient room at Joliet Hospice.
Strengthening Local Nonprofits
2004 – Donated funds to Lamb's Fold to construct a new shower facility for women and children.
2005 – Funded water-treatment sand filters in the Dominican Republic.
2006 – Supported Rotary college scholarships for local students.
2007 – Purchased a transportation van for the Will County Senior Services Center.
2008 – Funded a new men's shower at Daybreak Shelter.
2009 – Built a playground at Guardian Angel Home.
Improving Quality of Life
2010 – Funded a new gym floor at the Werden Buck Boys & Girls Club.
2011 – Supported improvements at the Will-Grundy Medical Clinic, Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home, and St. Vincent de Paul.
2012 – Funded a new accessible playground at UCP's Reedswood School.
2013 – Contributed $70,000 toward the Rotary exhibit wall and improvements at the Joliet Area Historical Museum.
2014 – Purchased a new passenger van for Our Lady of Angels Retirement Home.
2015 – Funded a delivery van for Habitat for Humanity.
2016 – Supported restoration of the iconic Rialto Square Theatre marquee lighting.
Recent Community Investments
2017 – Donated $33,067 for ADA pool lifts at the Galowich and Smith YMCAs, improvements at the Werden Buck Boys & Girls Club, and support for Easterseals and Cornerstone Services.
2018 – Contributed $28,500 to the Senior Services Center's Senior Express transportation program.
2019 – Provided $27,746 to the Spanish Community Center for facility renovations and repairs.
2020 – Supported Cornerstone Services with accessible fitness equipment and funded renovations at an Easterseals residential home.
2021 – Contributed $25,000 to restore the Boys & Girls Club of Joliet pool for youth swim lessons.
2022 – Provided $30,000 for roof repairs and facility renovations at the Will-Grundy Medical Clinic.
2023 – Awarded $25,154 to the Warren Sharpe Community Center for food pantry enhancements.
2024 – Funded improvements at The Alano Club and Belmont Little League through combined grants totaling nearly $40,000.
2025 – Invested $50,000 to launch Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Will County, helping provide free books to young children and promote early childhood literacy.
2026 – Awarded $30,000 to Morning Star Mission to support critical facility improvements for women and families in need.
Apply for a Rotary Raffle Grant
The Rotary Club of Joliet invites nonprofit organizations and community groups to submit projects that create meaningful and lasting impact in the Joliet area. Eligible projects may include capital improvements, facility enhancements, educational initiatives, and programs that improve quality of life for residents.
Through the generosity of raffle participants, sponsors, and supporters, the Rotary Club of Joliet continues its proud tradition of investing in projects that make our community stronger—one grant at a time.