Twice a year, the West Bay Rotary Club of Camden, through its charitable foundation, provides financial support to organizations that work to improve the lives of people in Knox County and the Town of Lincolnville.

The West Bay Rotary Charitable Foundation invites applications from nonprofits, organizations, programs and cities or towns for charitable donations up to $2,500. This funding may be applied to general operations, specific projects and programs or capital needs.

Through its community fundraisers, West Bay Rotary Club has supported dozens of organizations and charitable projects in Midcoast Maine including The Hospitality House, New Hope for Women, the Camden Food Pantry, AIO Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, heating assistance to Midcoast towns, the Camden Snow Bowl, PAWS Animal Adoption Center, and many other local, worthy projects.

West Bay Rotary's fund-raising projects to support its giving include the annual Christmas Tree and Wreath Sales, the Duck Derby, the Chowder Challenge at Windjammer Festival, Chili Challenge in winter, E-Waste day, Snow Bowl Parking during the Toboggan Races, and several more. Private individual donations to the Charitable Foundation also contribute to the charitable giving.

New to this year, application forms are required and may be downloaded from the website at www.westbayrotaryofmaine.org. Completed applications may be mailed or emailed by the specified deadlines. The deadlines are November 15, 2015 and March 15, 2016 for the current fall and spring cycles.

Interested organizations should mail applications to West Bay Rotary Club, Attn West Bay Charitable Foundation Chair, P.O. Box 1033, Camden, Maine 04843 or email to westbayfoundation@gmail.com. One application per calendar year will be accepted for consideration. For more information, contact WMRCF chairman Jane Lafleur at westbayfoundation@gmail.com.