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Community Giving through the Chelsea Groton Foundation
Chelsea Groton Foundation, Inc. was established in 1998 as a Section 501(c)(3) organization. Initially endowed with a $2 million dollar donation from Chelsea Groton Bank, the Foundation has awarded over $6.79 million in grants to non-profit organizations in the Bank’s Connecticut and Rhode Island market areas. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation swiftly responded to support emergency relief efforts, granting more than $1,000,000 to non-profit organizations – double the usual amount of total funds granted in a calendar year.
The Foundation’s mission is to support the ongoing commitment in partnership to the long-term growth of our community. Along with Chelsea Groton Bank, the Foundation is committed to belonging, equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring an ongoing sense of belonging for all, today and in the future.
Eligible organizations are invited to submit a grant application to the Foundation. See guidelines and frequently asked questions below.
Guidelines for Chelsea Groton Foundation grant applicants
Eligibility Quiz:
- Is your organization an IRS-registered, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization or other acceptable 501(c) status? Or a Governmental Unit referred to in the IRS Code Section170(c)(1)?
- Does your organization or program benefit the communities served by Chelsea Groton, primarily New London County, CT and Westerly, RI?
- Does your project or program fall under one of Chelsea Groton Foundation’s program area funding priorities, including: Arts and Culture, Economic Development, Education, Environment, Health and Human Services, Housing, and Youth Activities?
- If applicable, have you submitted a Post-Grant Report grant for your previous Foundation grant?
If you answered NO to any of the above questions, you may not be eligible to receive a Foundation Grant. Email giving@chelseagroton.com with questions.
Schedule
- Grants are awarded twice per calendar year:
- Applications received January 1 – the third Friday in April (spring deadline) will be reviewed in May.
- Those received June 1 – the third Friday in September (fall deadline) will be reviewed in October.
- If your organization is in need of emergency funding outside of the regular grant cycles above, please email giving@chelseagroton.com.
- Organizations are permitted to receive only one grant per calendar year. If the organization was denied funding, they may reapply in the same calendar year.
Application Procedures
- All applications must be submitted online.
- All submitted materials become the property of Chelsea Groton Foundation, Inc., and will be held in strict confidence.
- All grant recipients will be required to submit a post-grant report six months after the grant award.
- Download a sample application here in order to prepare answers in advance of completing the online version. Once you begin the online application, you will not be able to save your progress and return at a later time.
- If you need application assistance, please email giving@chelseagroton.com.
Learn more about the Fall 2024 Grant Award Recipients.
Chelsea Groton Foundation Scholarships
Chelsea Groton awards scholarships each year to local high school seniors planning to attend college or trade school. Winning students have excelled academically, exhibited strong leadership skills, and exemplified community service through their volunteer efforts in high school. Since 2007, Chelsea Groton has supported hundreds of students as they have pursued degrees in higher education.
How to Apply for a Scholarship
Students who live in the communities served by Chelsea Groton Bank should contact their high school guidance department for an application and return the application to the guidance department. All students must apply through their high school’s guidance department. High school guidance departments that have not received information about Chelsea Groton’s scholarship program should reach out to Miria Gray.
For any Chelsea Groton Bank customers who do not believe their student’s high school has the scholarship information and application, please ask the school to contact Miria Gray. or email Miria the guidance counselor’s contact information. All guidance departments are required to review all applications before submitting one to Chelsea Groton. Guidance counselors are encouraged to email Miria Gray with any questions. Chelsea Groton Bank does not accept paper applications directly.
Acts of Kindness
The Bank celebrates its anniversary each year with the Acts of Kindness initiative. Through this program, Chelsea Groton Foundation makes a donation to the worthy cause or non-profit of each employee’s choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please contact June Holaday directly at 860-448-4105 or giving@chelseagroton.com.
Yes. Your organization must be exempt from federal income taxation as an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), other acceptable 501(c) status, or be a governmental unit referred to in Section 170(c)(1) of the Code.
The Bank serves communities in eastern Connecticut and southern Rhode Island.
Yes. Although the nonprofit does not need to be located in the bank’s communities, the funds must be used to improve the quality of life in the communities Chelsea Groton serves.
On the “Request Information” page of your application, you will provide the Total Income and Expenses from the last 2 fiscal years. On the Attachments page, you will upload your most recent 990 Return Form.
Grants are awarded twice per calendar year. Applications received January 1 – the third Friday in April (spring deadline) will be reviewed in May. Those received June 1 – the third Friday in September (fall deadline) will be reviewed in October.
If your organization is in need of emergency funding outside of the regular grant cycles above, please email giving@chelseagroton.com.
Organizations are permitted to receive ONLY one grant in any calendar year. If organizations apply and are turned town, they may apply again in the same calendar year.
An account is not needed to access the online application. To start the application, enter your organization’s tax ID number.
No, please download the sample application here in order to prepare answers in advance of completing the online version. Once you begin the online application, you will not be able to save your progress and return at a later time.
No, once you start the application, you will not be able to save and return to it. You must complete the whole application and submit it for it to be completed. You may use the RESET FORM button (on the bottom of the page) to start over. To download a sample application, click here.
Applicants must upload ALL required documents to the online application. Follow the instructions on the Attachments page of the online application. Attachments may be submitted in Adobe PDF, Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel formats.
Please contact June Holaday at 860-448-4105 or giving@chelseagroton.com.
When you click “Submit” you will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your application. This is why it is very important to enter your e-mail address accurately.
The Chelsea Groton Foundation takes your privacy seriously. We do not rent, sell or share personal information about grant applications with other people or with nonaffiliated companies or organizations, without your prior permission.
Please contact June Holaday at 860-448-4105 or giving@chelseagroton.com.
