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Amica Companies Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.2M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M
Decision Time
2mo

Amica Companies Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3.2 million (2023)
  • Number of Awards: 2,178 grants (2023)
  • Grant Range: $500 - $70,000
  • Average Grant Size: $2,500
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Rhode Island, with expansion to Northwest and Southwest regions
  • Decision Time: Up to 8 weeks
  • Application Method: Quarterly deadlines via online portal

Contact Details

Address: 100 Amica Way, Lincoln, RI 02865-1156

Online Application: apply.yourcausegrants.com

Information: amica.com/charitable-grants

Overview

Established in 1996, the Amica Companies Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Amica Mutual Insurance Company. The foundation's mission is to "harness the power of enduring relationships to help individuals, families and communities become economically independent and strong." With annual giving of approximately $3.2 million distributed through over 2,000 grants, the foundation primarily supports community-based organizations serving Rhode Island residents, though it has expanded nationally since 2016 through its Proactive Giving program. The foundation emphasizes employee engagement, directing more than $1 million annually through employee-connected programs. The organization received the Community Impact Award from Fresh Start Women's Foundation for its longstanding support of Rhode Island nonprofits.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Regular Grant Program: $500 - $70,000 (average $2,500)

  • Quarterly application deadlines through online portal
  • One application per organization per year
  • Focus on Rhode Island nonprofits

Proactive Giving Program:

  • Supports nonprofits connected to Amica employees at branches nationwide
  • Nearly $1 million awarded to 14 nonprofits in recent years
  • Expanded to Northwest and Southwest regions since 2016

Citizenship Grant Program:

  • Awards grants in the names of employees and their spouses who volunteer
  • Organization must have active employee involvement
  • Part of $1 million+ in annual employee-directed giving

Matching Gifts Program:

  • Matches employee, pensioner, and director contributions
  • Match ratio ranges from 1:1 to 1.5:1
  • Match limit up to $19,800 per person
  • Applies to schools and other 501(c)(3) organizations

Priority Areas

The foundation supports organizations in these categories:

  • Basic Needs and Community Development: Direct services to underserved and low-income communities
  • Education: Particularly children and youth-serving organizations
  • Health: Health services and programs
  • Arts and Culture: Cultural organizations and programs
  • Community and Public Affairs: Civic engagement initiatives

Emphasis Areas:

  • Children and youth-serving organizations receive priority
  • Direct service organizations for Rhode Island's underserved communities
  • Economic independence and community resilience
  • Organizations with active Amica employee involvement

Recent Grant Recipients (examples):

  • Children's Friend of Providence
  • Boys and Girls Club of Northern Rhode Island
  • Scouting America of Cranston
  • Year Up
  • Junior Achievement of Rhode Island
  • Fresh Start Women's Foundation ($95,000 over three years for Jump Start program)
  • Farm Fresh Rhode Island
  • Clean Ocean Access
  • Portland YouthBuilders
  • Frisco Family Services (Dallas)

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation typically does NOT provide support for:

  • Capital campaigns
  • Building restorations
  • Operating expenses

Governance and Leadership

Foundation Structure: Corporate foundation established by Amica Mutual Insurance Company in 1996

Charitable Giving Coordinator: Meredith R. Gregory

Parent Company Leadership: Bob DiMuccio, Chairman, President and CEO of Amica Insurance

Foundation Philosophy (from Meredith R. Gregory): "Resiliency is one of the most important characteristics of Amica's charitable giving efforts." She notes that the foundation's mission provides "flexibility and adaptability to fund organizations in meaningful ways."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Qualified federal tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations
  • Generally restricted to organizations serving Rhode Island residents (exceptions for employee-connected grants nationwide)
  • Organizations may submit only one application per year

Application Method: Online application system at apply.yourcausegrants.com

Quarterly Deadlines:

  • Q1: March 1 (decision in April)
  • Q2: June 1 (decision in July)
  • Q3: September 1 (decision in October)
  • Q4: December 1 (decision in January)

Decision Timeline

  • Review Period: Up to 8 weeks from application deadline
  • Notification Method: Email notification when decision is made
  • Decision Schedule: Decisions announced monthly following quarterly deadlines

Success Rates

  • Total Awards: 2,178 grants made in 2023
  • Specific Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Note: Foundation reports being "inundated with requests" for Rhode Island grants, suggesting competitive application environment

Reapplication Policy

Organizations are limited to one application per year. The foundation has not publicly disclosed specific waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants to reapply.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Priorities

Resiliency and Economic Independence: According to Charitable Giving Coordinator Meredith R. Gregory, "Resiliency is one of the most important characteristics of Amica's charitable giving efforts." Applications should clearly demonstrate how programs help individuals, families, and communities "become economically independent and strong."

Employee Connection Advantage: Organizations with active Amica employee involvement have multiple pathways to funding through:

  • Regular grant program
  • Citizenship Grant Program (for organizations where employees volunteer)
  • Proactive Giving program (for organizations connected to branch locations)
  • Matching gifts for direct donations

Focus on Direct Services: A majority of Amica's grants support organizations providing direct services to Rhode Island's underserved and low-income communities, with emphasis on children and youth programs.

Long-term Relationship Approach: The foundation values "enduring relationships" and has demonstrated multi-year commitments, such as the $95,000 in funding to Fresh Start Women's Foundation over three years.

Flexibility in Mission Application: The foundation's mission statement is intentionally broad to provide "flexibility and adaptability to fund organizations in meaningful ways," suggesting value in creative applications that align with economic independence goals.

Geographic Considerations

  • Rhode Island applicants: Primary focus area, but foundation reports being "inundated with requests" and not actively seeking new local grantees
  • Northwest/Southwest regions: Foundation is focusing expansion efforts in these areas, particularly for employee-connected organizations
  • Employee-connected organizations outside Rhode Island: Strong prospects through Proactive Giving program

Corporate Citizenship Connection

The foundation's emphasis on employee engagement means organizations should consider:

  • Whether any Amica employees volunteer with the organization
  • Opportunities for employee volunteerism (foundation provides paid volunteer day annually)
  • Ways to acknowledge employee participation in grant applications

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Align with economic independence mission: Frame your program outcomes in terms of helping individuals, families, and communities become "economically independent and strong" and demonstrate organizational resiliency
  • Emphasize direct services: Priority goes to organizations providing direct services to underserved and low-income communities, particularly youth programs
  • Leverage employee connections: Organizations with Amica employee volunteers have multiple funding pathways and stronger prospects
  • Plan for quarterly cycle: Submit applications aligned with quarterly deadlines; review takes up to 8 weeks
  • Avoid restricted categories: Don't apply for capital campaigns, building restorations, or operating expenses—focus on program funding
  • One chance per year: Submit only your strongest, most aligned program since you can only apply once annually
  • Consider geography strategically: Rhode Island applicants face high competition; employee-connected organizations in Northwest/Southwest regions may have advantage through Proactive Giving program

References

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