The Rotary Club of Folsom recognized local educators and awarded its 2026 Teacher Grants during the club’s March 26 meeting, highlighting classroom projects that will benefit students throughout the Folsom Cordova Unified School District.
This year, 41 teachers from 14 schools received grants of up to $500 to support materials, equipment and innovative learning projects designed to enhance opportunities for students.
Teachers were called forward by school and introduced by Rotarians Lisa Carlson and Vicki Bencken, who shared highlights of each project. Grants were presented by Rotarians Bob Mange and Sonny DaMarto, who coordinates the teacher grant selection process for the Folsom Lake Rotary Club. FCUSD Superintendent Erik Swanson was also in attendance.
The Rotary Club of Folsom’s Teacher Grant Program began nearly three decades ago and has become one of the club’s signature efforts supporting local education. This year, the Rotary Club of Folsom partnered again with the Folsom Lake Rotary Club to award $17,000 in grants to teachers across the district.
Since the program began, Rotary has awarded grants to more than 400 teachers, providing over $175,000 directly to classrooms.
“Having seen firsthand how creative and dedicated our educators are, I know these Rotary grants help bring their best ideas to life in the classroom and make a real difference for students every day,” said Bob Mange, chair of the Rotary Club of Folsom’s Teacher Grant Program.
The evening also included a special recognition of Mange, whose career in education and service to the community spans decades. Mange served the district for more than 30 years as a teacher, coach, principal and district administrator.
During the event, the Rotary Club of Folsom announced that the Teacher Grant Program will now be known as the Bob Mange Teacher Grant Program, honoring his long-standing leadership and commitment to supporting educators.
A proclamation from the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors was presented by Sacramento County Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez, a member of the Rotary Club of Folsom, recognizing Mange’s contributions to education and community service. A separate proclamation honoring Mange was presented on behalf of the City of Folsom by Vice Mayor Anna Rohrbough, also a Rotary Club of Folsom member, representing the office of Mayor Justin Raithel, who is also a member of the club.
Supporting students and educators has long been a priority for the Rotary Club of Folsom. Over the past 29 years, the club has contributed more than $500,000 to Folsom schools through programs including teacher grants, student scholarships, the Rotary High School Student Speech Contest, Rotary Youth Leadership Awakening (RYLA), a week-long leadership camp, and Rotary Youth Exchange.
The club also hosts a Leadership and Ethics Conference for high school juniors and distributes dictionaries each year to all Folsom third graders. In addition, the club sponsors Interact Clubs at Folsom High School and Vista del Lago High School.
The Rotary Club of Folsom remains committed to celebrating and supporting teachers, students and educational programs in the community.
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