Chelsea Groton Foundation Grant

The Chelsea Groton Foundation, a charitable arm of Chelsea Groton Bank established in 1998, provides grant funding to nonprofit organizations serving communities primarily in New London County, Connecticut, and Westerly, Rhode Island. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $6.79 million to support local nonprofits. In 2025, the Foundation will shift to a single annual grant cycle, in contrast to its historical practice of two cycles per year, due to a rise in funding requests and a desire to support a broader array of community organizations more effectively. Applications for the 2025 grant cycle will open on February 1, 2025, and close on April 30, 2025. Grant award announcements will be made in June 2025, with disbursements following in July 2025. The maximum allowable grant request is $10,000. For applicants seeking multi-year funding, prior consultation via email with the Foundation at Giving@ChelseaGroton.com is required. Grants are distributed through a competitive application process and are limited to qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or governmental units as defined in IRS Code Section 170(c)(1). To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate that their project or program benefits communities served by Chelsea Groton, particularly in the designated areas of Connecticut and Rhode Island. Applicants must also align with one of the Foundation’s seven priority funding areas: Arts and Culture, Economic Development, Education, Environment, Health and Human Services, Housing, and Youth Activities. Organizations that received funding in 2024 must have spent all awarded funds by April 30, 2025, and submitted a Post-Grant Report to be eligible for 2025 funding. If funds from a previous grant are intended for use beyond that date, organizations must defer their next application until 2026. All applications must be submitted online. A downloadable sample application is available to help applicants prepare, as progress cannot be saved once the online application has begun. The Foundation emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability, requiring all recipients to submit a Post-Grant Report six months after receiving an award. Additional grant-related inquiries, including requests to repurpose previously awarded funds, must be sent in writing to Giving@ChelseaGroton.com by March 1, 2025, for Board consideration. In addition to grants, the Foundation also offers scholarships for local high school seniors who plan to attend college or trade school. These students must apply through their high school guidance offices, which are responsible for reviewing and submitting applications. Questions regarding the scholarship process should be directed to Miria Gray at the bank.