The Benton Harbor Sunrise Rotary Foundation has announced its 2025 grant recipients, with funding provided in part by proceeds from the Club’s annual Great Pumpkin Raffle. Grants are awarded each year through an April application process to organizations that align with the Club’s mission of serving youth in the Benton Harbor School District.
This year’s recipients include:
Benton Harbor Library Literacy Project — $1,250 to purchase and distribute books to local youth, support library field trips, and host family-focused events in city parks. Rotary members will assist with activities.
Educational Toys for the Needy & Aide — $1,000 in partnership with the Women’s Auxiliary Club to provide books, educational toys, and mentoring aimed at preventing functional illiteracy.
Junior Achievement — $2,240 to equip local students with financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurial skills.
Club leaders say these projects directly support literacy, personal development, and enrichment opportunities for Benton Harbor youth.
The Benton Harbor Sunrise Rotary engages in a range of local initiatives, from building student desks and supplying holiday baskets to conducting highway cleanups and supporting foster teens. Internationally, the Club recently partnered with Engineers Without Borders on a water purification project in Guatemala that will bring clean running water to 109 families.
Tickets for the 2025 Great Pumpkin Raffle are available from any Sunrise Rotarian. The drawing will be held September 20 during the St. Joe Today Fall Festival.
