History

In 2001, the Mayor and Sturgis City Council began allocating single-year, lump-sum grants to various local charitable organizations as part of its annual budget process.  The Council’s intent in making these grants is to promote the missions of local charitable organizations resulting in a  direct benefit to the Sturgis residents and community.  

Previously, the City Council worked with the Sturgis Rally Charities Foundation (SRC) by asking them to make recommendations on the various grant applications the City received.  The City Council would then issue the grant awards based on those recommendations.  In 2021, the Sturgis City Council began to award its full budgeted Mayor & Council giving award directly to SRC to streamline the giving process.   The City Council recognizes that SRC is uniquely qualified to review all funding requests and make appropriate recommendations for allocations.  

The Sturgis Rally Charities Foundation (SRC)On January 4, 2021, the Sturgis City Council gave Sturgis Rally Charities a check for $25,000 to be passed on to local charities.

The Sturgis Rally Charities Foundation (SRC) was formed in 2002 to ensure the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally would benefit and serve the residents of Sturgis.  The local, non-profit foundation re-distributes donated funds to local nonprofit agencies within the City of Sturgis and our local Meade 46-1 School District.   From 2002 – 2019, Sturgis Rally Charities Foundation provided over $935,000 to our local nonprofit agencies.  In the past, donated funds have were received from Jack Daniels, a Motorcycle Raffle held during the Rally, City Rally Sponsorship funds, the Mayor’s Poker Tournament, and from SMRI royalty monies (from 2011 – 2018, $403,000 has come from SMRI through royalties received from the Rally).   

The Application Process

Submitting an application does not guarantee an award.  The application period usually opens in the fall of each year.  Grant awards will be made in January.  The SRC Board has final discretion with awarding grant monies.    

Applications will be available on this page when the next application period opens.

Sturgis Rally Charities Application

For the 2023 grant review cycle, applications must be returned to the Sturgis Public Library by 4:00pm on Friday, October 27th.  

Details about the fund distribution will be provided to grant recipients in December.  The total funding allocation includes the $25,000 Mayor & Council giving that was budgeted for 2024.