2025 Rotary Community Grant Winners
Back Row: Jenna Wachtel Pronovost (Ravenswood Education Foundation), Mary Carbullido (Art In Action), Rob Holyoake (RCMP), Stephanie Figeira (Meals on Wheels (PVI)), Janelle Nunez (LifeMoves), Jeanette Kennedy (Ravenswood Classroom Partners), Joe Krauss (St Anthony’s Padua Dining Room)
Front Row: Rachel Stokes (Eastside College Prep School), Nicole Sbragia (CoolineKids), Kim Aitken-Young (Ravenswood Classroom Partners), Kimmy Jackson (Ecumenical Hunger Program), Elizabeth Wells (Foundation for a College Education), Ali Irturk (President-Elect RCMP), Rene Jiminez (Peninsula Bridge), Jenn Nelson (Menlo College Food Pantry), Teshionda Nickerson (Menlo Atherton HS), Bob Andrews (President, RCMP)
The Rotary Club has awarded $41,000 in Community Gift Grants to 14 nonprofit organizations serving the less fortunate in the local community. The grants, with $35,000 from the foundation and $6,000 from the Club, align with the Club's 2025 Giving Focus supporting seniors and youth in food insecurity, arts and culture, and education.
"Every application demonstrated worthy causes, making the selection process challenging," said Ali Irturk, President-Elect and committee chair. The committee, including Sylvia Bambra, Steve Milender, Ronald Sasaki, and co-chair Rob Holyoake, evaluated 24 applications based on program quality and community impact.
Grant recipients include Art In Action, providing year-long art programs to 216 students; CoolineKids, offering summer programs for EPA students; and Eastside College Prep School, funding their six-week summer program. Other recipients address food insecurity through Ecumenical Hunger Program, Menlo College Food Pantry, and St. Anthony's Dining Room.
The grants also support educational initiatives through Foundation for a College Education, LifeMoves, M-A High School assistance programs, M-A Service-Learning Center, Peninsula Bridge, Ravenswood Classroom Partners, and Ravenswood Education Foundation.
These Community Gift Grants reflect the Rotary Club's commitment to addressing critical needs in Menlo Park and East Palo Alto communities while fostering educational opportunity, artistic expression, and food security for vulnerable populations.
