How To Submit a Program Grant Proposal
Do not use for Capital requests. See Capital Grants
General Information
Program grant proposals may be submitted at any time during the year. Funding priorities are Education, Human Services, and Arts & Culture. Agencies do not need to apply under a specific funding priority. (For more information about our funding priorities)
We fund new programs, as well as existing programs where our support will enhance, strengthen, expand or improve services. We are interested in funding collaborative programs, and also in providing matching funds to leverage new dollars into the community. Grants are not made for general operating support to agencies.
We fund programs on a year-to-year basis; multi-year program grant commitments are not made. We make a grant to a specific program only once in a 12 month period; renewals are never automatic. By invitation only, an organization may apply for a grant for more than one program. These are rare exceptions.
Like many funders - private as well as public - the American Savings Foundation wants to invest its funds in programs that make a real, demonstrable change in the community and in the lives of the people served. While we understand that nonprofit program results can be difficult to measure, we expect grant seekers to focus on outcomes, not on process. Your proposal must define your outcomes, and what indicators you will use to measure whether you have been successful in achieving them. These outcomes should be realistic given your program implementation and action plans and the scope and timeframe of your proposal to us. If your proposal is funded, these outcomes will form the basis for written reports and site visits.
We do not dictate exactly what approach you must take, because we understand that it may be different for every agency. Some examples include logic models (see W.K. Kellogg Foundation Logic Model Development Guide), Results Based Accountability (see Implementing Results-Based Accountability in the Connecticut General Assembly). The Hartford Foundation For Public Giving's Work Plan is also an excellent resource.
Eligibility Requirements and Policies
- Programs must primarily serve residents in one or more of the 64-towns served by American Savings Foundation.
- Organizations must be tax exempt under IRS section 501(c)(3).
- Religious institutions are not eligible, except for non-sectarian activities that benefit the community at-large.
- Endowment funds are not eligible.
- Individuals are not eligible.
For more information about types of proposals that do not fit our funding priorities.
Please review our Frequently Asked Questions section. For more information, call the Foundation at (860) 827-2556 or email us at grant@asfdn.org.
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Proposal Format and Guidelines
