There is nothing more important to a community than an act of giving.

Today, more communities in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts have a unique opportunity to benefit from this spirit of giving. Our schools, our health and social services, and our artistic institutions all now have the potential to do even more. That is because of the expanded reach and resources of the NewAlliance Foundation.

A Letter from the Foundation Please Read

2008 Annual Report (Acrobat PDF file 1.86MB)
2007 Annual Report (Acrobat PDF file 1.17MB)
2006 Annual Report (Acrobat PDF file 957K)
2005 Annual Report (Acrobat PDF file 289K)
2004 Annual Report (Acrobat PDF file 963K)

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• Mission
• Funding Priorities
• Eligibility Requirements
• Grant Guidelines
• Towns We Serve

Mission

The mission of the NewAlliance Foundation is to provide financial support to not-for-profit, charitable organizations in the communities where NewAlliance Bank branches are located. The Foundation seeks to enhance economic vitality and to improve the quality of life for community residents.

Funding Priorities

• The Arts
  The arts inspire our dreams, enrich our lives, and create the bonds that bring us together as neighbors and friends. We support organizations that inspire artistic expression in all forms and bring culture to audiences throughout our communities. Programs may be in the areas of museums, the performing arts, arts education, exhibits, and events for children and families.
• Community Development
  The cities and towns where we live and work are vibrant places. But sometimes our neighborhoods need a helping hand. The NewAlliance Foundation supports organizations that use programs, direct funding or low-cost loans in such community infrastructure areas as housing, historic preservation, economic development, transportation, parks, and the environment.
• Health and Human Services
  Often those who are the most vulnerable are at risk because of poor health or physical and developmental challenges. We support organizations that provide assistance to children, the elderly, and others who need specialized health care. Programs may be in such areas as food banks and free meals, emergency fuel assistance, vocational training, hospice support, and activities for the physically or developmentally disabled.
• Youth and Education
  We strive to protect and enrich our children. That is why the NewAlliance Foundation supports organizations that encourage and directly assist children from infancy through adolescence. Programs may be in the areas of education, after-school activities, sports, mentoring, literacy, legal aid, and other programs that give our youth inspiration and a helping hand.

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicant organization must primarily serve residents in the communities where there is a NewAlliance Bank branch. Towns We Serve;
• Organizations must be tax exempt under IRS code section 501(c)3 or be a municipal entity. State agencies or departments are not eligible to apply;
• Only one grant application (operating, programmatic, sponsorship, or capital support) per organization, per calendar year will be considered.

NewAlliance Foundation does not make grants to the following types of applicants:

• Individuals;
• For-profit organizations;
• Religious institutions, except for non-sectarian programs benefiting the community-at-large;
• Service clubs, fraternal organizations or third parties raising funds for a charity;
• Parent Teacher Organizations or Associations.

NewAlliance Foundation does not make grants to support the following:

• Projects taking place in areas where we do not have a community presence;
• Political activities, including lobbying expenses or other activities influencing the outcome of the legislative or electoral process;
• Interest expenses paid on loans or payment to eliminate or reduce existing deficits;
• Feasibility Studies;
• Trips, tours, transportation costs or conference attendance;
• Golf Tournaments;
• Animal causes;
• Team sponsorships or individual sports people;
• "a-thon" fundraising events;
• Pageants

For questions regarding your organization's eligibility to apply, the type of activity for which you seek support, or the content of your application, contact Maryann Ott (203) 784-5148 or email mott@newalliancebank.com.

Grant Guidelines

We support organizations and programs that advance the funding priorities described under the "Funding Priorities" section above and that are located in the communities where there is a NewAlliance Bank branch.

• We limit organizations to one grant application per calendar year, choosing one from the following options: general operating, program, capital or sponsorship grants.
• We will consider funding up to 10% of an organization's annual operating budget or $25,000 maximum. The percentage is based on an organization's total cash income for the last completed fiscal year. It does not include the assigned value of in-kind contributions.
• In 2008, 90% of our grant making was $10,000 or less, with the median grant at $3,000.
• We will consider funding up to 40% of budget expenses for the program or project for which support is sought; therefore support from other funding partners is required. The "10% grant guideline" remains in effect, regardless of program or project size.
• We will accept applications only from organizations with at least 12 months of non-profit incorporation as designated by the Internal Revenue Service and who demonstrate a mature budget, show additional community support, and have a track record of effective programming. The start-up of new non-profit organizations will not be funded.
• We do not make multi-year commitments.
• We do not consider applications from fiduciary or fiscal agents acting on behalf of organizations who do not have IRS confirmed non-profit status. Exceptions will be made only in the case the fiduciary is a community foundation.
• We do not fund the start-up of new programs within the Bank's service area requested by organizations located outside the Bank's service area.

A final report on the most recently received grant must be submitted to the Foundation before a new grant application will be considered.

Towns We Serve

Applicant organization must primarily serve residents in the communities served by NewAlliance Bank. Towns We Serve;