1. How do I submit a proposal for a program grant?
2. How do I submit a proposal for a capital grant?
The first step is to submit a letter of intent. For full details, see Capital Grants
3. Do you have geographic priorities within your 64-town service area?
Our roots are in New Britain, where the old American Savings Bank originated, and this is our primary focus. The old bank also had a historic business connection to the City of Waterbury, which is an important focus for our funding. The entire 64-town service area is a legacy of the old bank’s service area, and the lasting commitment of our board to give back to those communities.
4. Do you have a formula for funding by town or program area?
No. We do not allocate our funding budget by town, or by program priority area. We make funding decisions based on a combination of factors, including the quality and stability of the organization, whether the program or project fits the Foundation's interests, the potential for successful outcomes, and the impact on community.
5. What are your funding priorities?
The Foundation is a broad-based funder, with a special emphasis on the needs of children, youth and families. Our three general funding priorities are Education, Human Services and Arts & Culture. These are not rigid categories, and many of our grants overlap more than one. We focus on direct service programs that help those with highest need, and where our funding can make a direct, measurable impact. Our grant history helps grantseekers understand our priorities.
6. What does NOT fit the Foundation’s funding priorities?
Examples may include but are not limited to: environmental issues; biomedical research; religious institutions (except for non-sectarian activities that benefit the community at-large); political advocacy or lobbying; endowment funds; and annual campaigns. Also, because the Foundation operates a large college scholarship program (see Scholarships) it does not provide funding for scholarship programs operated by schools or other nonprofit organizations. The Foundation does not fund primary or secondary schools -- public, private independent, or parochial -- or colleges and universities.
7. Why don't you publish grant proposal deadlines?
Program grant proposals may be submitted at any time during the year. We want grant seekers to submit their proposals when they are ready, not based on our schedule. Because of our in-depth review and due diligence procedures, it may take several weeks to process a grant before it can be reviewed at a quarterly board meeting. The board meets in March, June, September and December.
8. Will my grant proposal receive a decision at the next scheduled board meeting?
Not necessarily. Regardless of when a proposal is received, the Foundation may defer a decision to a future grant review period.
The Foundation's staff assesses proposals for completeness and eligibility. If the proposal is complete, we will contact the grant seeker to confirm receipt and give the expected date that the proposal will be reviewed by the board of directors. During the review process, we will contact you if we require additional information.
9. Does the Foundation consider multi-year proposals?
No. The Foundation reviews program grant proposals on a year by year basis and renewed funding is never automatic. Some programs have been funded for several years.
10. Does the Foundation limit the number of times a program grant may be funded?
No, we do not have a specific policy. However, each year the Foundation receives more qualified proposals than can be funded, and in 2009, our contributions budget will be about 10% less than in 2008. Some programs that have received funding for several years may be funded at a lower level or declined in 2009. For more information, see our recent letter from the president.
11. May we ask for a grant once a program is already underway?
Yes, depending on your overall program funding plan. Indicate in which fiscal year you will apply the requested funding, and explain how it connects to your agency’s overall operating budget.
12. What is the dollar range for program grants? How are grant amounts determined?
There is no set range for grants. During the proposal review process we consider:
- How does the program budget fit into the organization’s overall budget?
- How much support from the community and other funders has this program or agency received?
- What portion of the total program budget is American Savings Foundation being asked to fund?
- How will the program be funded in the future?
13. Who makes the grant decisions?
Grant proposals are reviewed by a committee of volunteers, which makes recommendations to the board of directors, which is responsible for all grant award decisions. Many of our volunteers were employees of the former American Savings Bank and have been involved with the Foundation from its beginning in 1995. Others have joined the committee more recently and represent the communities we serve.
14. If we have more than one program or funding need, can we present options, and ask the Foundation to identify the one that best fits its funding priorities?
The most important consideration should be your organization’s priorities and needs. The Foundation staff will not make that choice for you, but you are welcome to call to discuss whether a specific program or project fits. However, we strongly encourage you to review our website and our grant history first.
15. Can we meet with the Foundation to discuss a potential grant? Do you make site visits?
The Foundation is accessible to grant seekers by email, phone, or in person. We encourage first-time grant seekers to call or email the Foundation to discuss a potential grant. We regularly conduct site visits, usually during the course of the grant period.
16. What is your policy on administrative overhead?
Program proposals may include administrative overhead. We do not have a set formula, but we often apply an industry rule-of-thumb of about 10-15%. Some budgets incorporate overhead within categories (e.g. rent, utilities, supervisor salary). Other budgets apply a percentage to the bottom line. Our grants committee carefully considers whether overhead in a proposal budget is appropriate to both the program budget and the agency’s budget.
17. Do you consider providing general operating support?
No. We consider the term "general operating support" to refer to "unrestricted grants", which we will not provide. We only fund program grants. However, some agencies only operate one core program, so all agency costs are considered part of that program's costs. For agencies that operate multiple programs, general support costs may be broken out to the various programs. An agency may apply to the Foundation for administrative overhead so long as it is appropriate to the proportionate costs of the program (see above).
18. When do I need to submit reports on an existing grant?
A final report is due one year after the grant is awarded or when the project is completed, whichever comes first. New grant requests will not be considered until a final report for any previous grant has been received. If your proposal is a request for renewed support before a final report can be completed on a current grant, you must submit an interim report. Use report format .
