Chelsea Groton Foundation Grant

The Chelsea Groton Foundation was established in 1998 as a philanthropic extension of Chelsea Groton Bank, initially endowed with a $2 million donation. Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed over $7.7 million in grants to nonprofit organizations within its service areas in Connecticut and Rhode Island. The Foundation operates as a Section 501(c)(3) organization, committed to supporting long-term community growth and promoting belonging, equity, diversity, and inclusion through targeted funding initiatives. The primary goal of the Foundation is to reinforce the ongoing partnership between Chelsea Groton Bank and its communities by providing financial support to a wide range of nonprofit efforts. Priority program areas for funding include Arts and Culture, Economic Development, Education, Environment, Health and Human Services, Housing, and Youth Activities. Grants are designed to support operational needs, project-based initiatives, or specific programs that demonstrate clear alignment with these funding priorities. In 2026, the Foundation has implemented a revised grant schedule, reducing the previous biannual cycles to one annual grant cycle. This change was made in response to a growing number of applications and the Foundation’s intention to sustain meaningful support across a larger number of nonprofit organizations. The maximum grant request allowed is $10,000 per application. Requests for multi-year funding are not accepted through the standard application and must be considered separately by contacting the Foundation directly. The application process opens on February 1, 2026, and closes on April 30, 2026. All grant applications must be submitted online through the Foundation’s official portal, with no option to save progress once started. Applicants are encouraged to download a sample application beforehand for preparation. Successful applicants will be notified of award decisions in June 2026, with checks disbursed in July 2026. A post-grant report is required six months after award disbursement to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of funds. Eligibility is limited to IRS-registered tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations and governmental units as outlined in IRS Code Section 170(c)(1). Additionally, applicants must operate within Chelsea Groton Bank’s primary market areas, notably New London County, Connecticut, and Westerly, Rhode Island. Eligible programs must also align with one of the Foundation’s listed funding priorities. Recipients of 2025 grants must have fully expended those funds and submitted a post-grant report before applying again in 2026. Applicants are instructed to direct inquiries and completed post-grant reports to the Foundation’s official email, giving@chelseagroton.com. Organizations that need assistance with the application process or have questions about eligibility or funding use restrictions may also contact the same address. The Foundation strictly prohibits reallocating awarded funds for alternate purposes unless a formal written request is submitted and approved before March 1, 2026. Failure to adhere to reporting and spending deadlines may disqualify applicants from future funding cycles.

Use the sample application to prepare offline. Post-grant report required within 6 months.