ASF Capital Grants

American Savings Foundation, headquartered in New Britain, Connecticut, is a philanthropic organization dedicated to supporting the communities it serves, particularly New Britain and Waterbury. The Foundation offers various funding opportunities aligned with its mission to strengthen community well-being, with a focus on education, human services, and arts and culture. Among its grant offerings is the Capital Grants program, which is specifically designed to support essential one-time capital needs for direct program services in New Britain and Waterbury. The Capital Grants initiative addresses significant physical or infrastructural improvements necessary for the delivery of core services. Projects may include building renovations, equipment purchases, or other tangible capital needs that are directly tied to an organization's ability to provide services. The Foundation emphasizes that funding is limited and highly competitive, and thus only projects demonstrating clear alignment with community needs and the Foundation’s mission are considered. Organizations located outside New Britain and Waterbury are still eligible to apply, though funding levels are more modest. These organizations may submit requests for capital funding through the Community Grants program, limited to $5,000, or submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) for larger requests, typically up to $10,000. The LOI submission serves as the initial step in the two-stage application process and may be submitted at any time. Only selected organizations will be invited to complete a full application through the Foundation’s Grants Portal. To qualify for funding, applicants must be nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt status under IRS Section 501(c)(3). Certain types of organizations and activities are not eligible, including religious institutions (except for non-sectarian community-focused initiatives), primary and secondary schools (public or private), higher education institutions, endowment funds, private foundations, and government entities. These exclusions ensure that the Foundation’s resources are directed toward organizations that align with its mission and provide direct benefit to the broader community. The Foundation encourages prospective applicants to consult with Maria Sanchez, Director of Grantmaking & Community Investment, before submitting a request. Maria can be reached by phone at (860) 612-3375 or via email at msanchez@asfdn.org. Early consultation is advised to ensure that the project meets eligibility criteria and aligns with Foundation priorities. While no specific deadlines are listed for the Letter of Intent, the rolling nature of submission means applicants may initiate the process at any time. However, due to the limited nature of the funding and the requirement to be invited for full application submission, organizations should plan well in advance of their project start date. The Foundation’s emphasis on accessibility and transparency is reflected in its encouragement for applicants to reach out with questions and its provision of historical grant data for reference.

Contact Maria Sanchez well in advance of the project date to ensure alignment with Foundation priorities.