The American Savings Foundation is inviting applications for its Community Grants program which is designed to provide meaningful support as a percentage of the specific budget for which funds are requested. Requests for funding should not represent the lead or primary funding source for the program or project.

Grants are primarily awarded for direct service and should not include capital purchases such as computers or space renovations.  Select requests for essential capital equipment may be considered – call the Foundation before submitting any capital request.  

Funding Information

• Grants range from $250 to $5,000. Awards may be made for less than the amount requested.
• Renewals are never automatic.  If awarded in three consecutive years, an agency may not reapply for a period of one year.
• Only one request for a specific program or project will be considered from any agency in a calendar year.
• An agency may only receive one community grant within a calendar year.
• Agencies that have been awarded a program grant or after school grant are not eligible.

Eligibility Criteria

• In order to apply:
  • Organization must be tax exempt under IRS section 501(c)(3).
• With very few exceptions, the Foundation does not fund:
  • General operating support or unrestricted grants
  • Primary or secondary schools -- public, private independent or parochial -- or colleges and universities
  • Funding to replace municipal, state or federal funding, or direct funding to municipal organizations.
• If applicant request is for any of the above purposes, the Foundation strongly encourages calling the Foundation before submitting a proposal.
• Ineligible for funding:
  • Political advocacy and lobbying
  • Religious institutions, except for non-sectarian activities that benefit the community at-large
  • Individuals
  • Annual campaigns
  • Endowment funds
  • Travel (e.g. sports teams, field trips)
  • Animal welfare organizations
  • Disease-specific research or other specific
  • Environmental conservation, land trust, or other related causes
  • Event sponsorships
  • Private Foundations

For more information, visit Community Grants.