Program Grants

What We Fund

The American Savings Foundation is a broad-based funder with a special emphasis on the needs of children, youth and families.  Our three priority areas are education, human services, and arts & culture. With a primary focus in New Britain and Waterbury, program grants support direct services where our funding can make a measurable impact, especially for those with the greatest need.  In order to apply, organizations must be tax exempt under IRS section 501(c)(3).

The Foundation considers support for established programs that have been demonstrated to make a meaningful difference in the community and in the lives of those they serve.  We also consider funding for new, innovative programs that fill an unmet need in the community.  We are interested in funding collaborative programs, and also in providing matching funds to leverage new dollars into the community. The Foundation is not typically able to be a sole funder for any program grant request. For this reason, we look for evidence of broad local support, including other committed or pending funding sources.

Before you apply: Confirm whether this is the right application for your request. 

Community Grants - a more streamlined application process for grants of up to $5,000 for:

1. Local Programs - Agencies of any size for programs in our 64-town service area, outside of New Britain and Waterbury.
2. Small nonprofits (agency budget less than $250,000) - for any program in our service area, including New Britain and/or Waterbury.

If your agency fits either category above, you must use the Community Grant application unless you call the Foundation and speak to a program officer before applying.  

After School Application - Only for New Britian after school programs for middle school youth that meet consistantly throughout the entire school year.  All other youth programs that take place outside the school day should use the Q2 Program Grant application. Summer programs should use the Q1 Program Grant application (deadlines below).

Capital Grants - The Capital Grant process must be used for any capital request (including small equipment, computers, or other technology). The purchase of technology or equipment cannot be included as a line-item in a program grant request.

We do NOT fund: 

• Private Foundations
• Political advocacy and lobbying
• General operating support or unrestricted grants
• Primary or secondary schools—public, private independent, or parochial—or colleges and universities*
• Funding to replace municipal, state or federal funding
• Municipalities and municipal services*
• Grantmaking organizations*
• Annual campaigns
• Endowment funds
• Animal welfare organizations
• Disease-specific or other scientific research 
• Environmental conservation, land trust, or other related causes 
• Religious institutions, except for non-sectarian activities that benefit the community at-large
• Individuals
• Travel
• Field trips
• Sports teams or tournaments 
• Event sponsorships (e.g. single-day programs or events, golf, galas)
• Scholarship programs - see American Savings Foundation Scholarship 
  * with very few exceptions considered by invitation only