Frank Loomis Palmer Fund

The Frank Loomis Palmer Fund, established in 1936, is a philanthropic foundation managed by the Connecticut office of Bank of America, N.A. It was created to support and enhance educational, cultural, human services, and healthcare initiatives aimed at underserved populations. The fund's mission is specifically focused on benefiting the residents of New London, Connecticut, and aligns with a broader effort by Bank of America Philanthropic Solutions to address vital community needs across various foundations under its management. The Palmer Fund offers annual grant opportunities that primarily provide one-year funding, although in some cases, multi-year grants may be awarded. However, recipients are restricted from receiving funding for more than three consecutive years. The fund supports a wide array of program types, including arts, culture, humanities, education, health, and human services, with an emphasis on projects that directly impact the New London community. The types of support may include both program/project-based and general operating funding, depending on the alignment with the fund’s mission and guidelines. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations serving the New London area. While the fund does not support endowment campaigns or start-up organizations, it is open to discussing opportunities with organizations that can demonstrate a strong community impact and established programming. Applications must reflect clear alignment with the fund’s geographic focus, and applicants are required to provide demographic breakdowns of those served, particularly by town, within the online application portal. The submission process is conducted online via the Bank of America Philanthropic Solutions portal. Applications are due by November 15 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, although can be submitted anytime indicating a rolling structure. If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the due date is extended to the next business day. Technical support for the online portal is only available during regular business hours, so applicants are encouraged to begin early to avoid last-minute issues. Following submission, organizations are notified of funding decisions within 3 to 4 months via formal correspondence. Grant recipients are required to submit a Post Grant Evaluation Report within one year of the grant application date, regardless of whether the funds have been fully expended. For multi-year awards, annual reporting is required throughout the grant term. Contact for all inquiries regarding the Palmer Fund and the application process is the Bank of America Connecticut Philanthropic Solutions office via ct.grantmaking@bofa.com, with clear mention of the foundation name in the subject line.

Begin early to avoid lack of weekend technical support; ensure demographic data is town-specific.