American Savings Foundation Awards $105,500 through Community Grants

February 04, 2025

Connecticut – The American Savings Foundation Board of Directors recently awarded 29 Community Grants, totaling $105,500, to support local programs and services. Since the program’s inception, the Foundation has awarded $1,088,457 in grants of up to $5,000 each, benefiting 311 programs across its 64-town service area.

Launched in 2019, the Community Grants program was developed in response to feedback from grantseekers, with the goal of better responding to the needs of the 64-towns served by the Foundation. The program was also designed to simplify the application process for nonprofit organizations, especially for smaller organizations.  

In keeping with the Foundation’s mission, Community Grants support programs that strengthen the community through education, human services, and the arts, with a special emphasis on the needs of children, youth, and families.

“These recent community grants support a wide range of local community programs, from a food pantry in Old Saybrook, to a veteran’s community center in Bristol, and a children’s museum in Torrington,” said Jenna Cowan, program officer. “The Foundation serves a wide region across 64 towns in Connecticut, and the Community Grants program helps us make an impact in many of these towns, large and small, all across the region.”

The Foundation considers Community Grant applications twice a year. The next deadline for Community Grant requests is April 10, 2025. Applications for up to $5,000 can be submitted online at https://www.asfdn.org/grants/community-grants. Eligibility information and a list of prior recipients are also available on the website. The Foundation encourages non-profits whose programs and services align with the Community Grants opportunity to apply.

The most recent Community Grants announced by the American Savings Foundation include:

• $5,000 to Advancing Connecticut Together, Inc. for free tax preparation and financial literacy services in the Greater Waterbury area.
• $2,000 to After School Arts Program for a creative writing program for students at Children's Community School in Waterbury
• $4,000 to Arts for Learning Connecticut for an arts programs in Ashford designed to enrich school culture and student engagement.
• $5,000 to Boys & Girls Club of Bristol for an after-school homework support and mentorship program for youth in Bristol. 
• $3,000 to Bridge Family Center to host workshops for parents and caregivers from the West Hartford area that enhances their child's education and build connection to the school.
• $3,000 to Bristol Symphony Orchestra to host a concert featuring the Bristol orchestra and local high school bands performing a side by side.
• $4,000 to Connecticut Storytelling Center for a language enrichment program that connects New Britain students to professional storytellers.
• $5,000 to Covenant Soup Kitchen tp support their soup kitchen and food pantry for individuals and families across northeastern Connecticut.
• $1,000 to Farmington Valley Symphony Orchestra to offer musical education for elementary students, and orchestral concerts for high school students in Farmington.
• $1,000 to Girls With Voices for a year-round positive enrichement and leadership program for girls from New Britain.
• $5,000 to KidsPlay Children's Museum to provide access to the museum for social service programs and agencies in the Torrington area to share with the families they serve.
• $5,000 to Klingberg Family Centers to provide food and resources at their onsite pantry in New Britain.
• $3,000 to LiveGirl for an after-school leadership program for middle school youth from Waterbury
• $2,000 to National Society of the Colonial Dames of American in Connecticut to host an artistic series at the Webb Deane Stevens Museum.
• $4,000 to Naugatuck Valley Soup Kitchen to provide Naugatuck residents freshly cooked meals, three days a week through a meal delivery service.
• $4,000 to New Britain Youth Theater to host theatrical experiences for New Britain and area students.
• $2,000 to New Haven Symphony Orchestra to host free family concerts at the Russell Library in Middletown.
• $4,000 to Newington Children's Theatre Company for a performing arts program for children and young adults form Newington and surrounding towns.
• $5,000 to Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater to host four mainstage plays performed by teens and young adults in Middletown.
• $5,000 to Plainville Community Food Pantry to connect food and resources to individuals in Plainville and surrounding towns.
• $5,000 to Salvation Army - Waterbury to connect Waterbury residents in crisis to energy assistance.
• $5,000 to Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries to provide food and basic needs supports for individuals and families throughout ASF towns along the shoreline.
• $2,500 to The Arc of the Farmington Valley, Inc. for a theater program in Farmington designed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• $3,000 to The Spott Unlimited to provide individuals and families in New Britain with a hot meal every Thursday evening.
• $3,500 to The University of Bridgeport, Inc. to provide students in Waterbury with hands-on STEM activities.
• $5,000 to Tri-Town Youth Services Bureau, Inc to connect individuals and families from Deep River, Chester and Essex to services and programs as needed.
• $1,500 to Veterans Strong Community Center to renewing a three year license for a case management software that supports program delivery for veterans in Bristol.
• $5,000 to Volunteers In Psychotherapy to provide individuals throughout ASF towns with private therapy sessions in exchange for volunteer work for the charity of their choice
• $3,000 to Women Composers Festival Hartford to host a two-day music festival at CCSU in New Britain that celebrates women musicians and composers.