← Back to US Funders Directory

Liberty Bank Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.1M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.0M
Decision Time
3mo

Liberty Bank Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2.1 million (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Approximately 3 months (decisions made three times per year)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $25,000 (most grants $5,000-$10,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Connecticut (Greater Hartford, Middlesex County, Greater New London, shoreline areas) and Greater Springfield, Massachusetts

Contact Details

Address: 245 Long Hill Rd, Middletown, CT 06457-4063

Phone: 860-638-2961

Website: www.liberty-bank.com/foundation

Email for Grant Inquiries: tmaher@liberty-bank.com (recommended for pre-application consultation)

Overview

Founded in 1997, Liberty Bank Foundation has awarded over $20 million in grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Liberty Bank's market area. In 2024, the Foundation awarded 141 grants totaling nearly $2.1 million, marking its most impactful year yet. The Foundation's mission focuses on promoting preventive programs that assist low- and moderate-income residents in achieving their personal goals and reaching their potential. With Liberty Bank celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2025, the Foundation continues the bank's longstanding commitment to community impact, emphasizing what President and CEO David W. Glidden calls their "Be Community Kind" philosophy - a standard that guides meaningful investments in communities for generations to come.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grantmaking Program: $5,000 - $25,000 (most grants awarded at $5,000-$10,000)

  • One-time grants to support specific programs (not general operating support or endowments)
  • Three application deadlines per year: February 1 (decisions in May), May 1 (decisions in August), and November 1 (decisions in February)
  • Only one application per organization per calendar year

Capacity Building Initiative: Variable amounts

  • Grants for nonprofit organizational development, typically to agencies with existing Foundation relationships
  • Focus on making organizations more effective, efficient, flexible, sustainable, and productive
  • Includes educational workshops and an annual Executive Director Forum (hosted since 2011)

Priority Areas

Education & Workforce Development

  • Early childhood education programs
  • After-school tutoring and mentoring
  • College and career exploration and preparation
  • Parent leadership training
  • Job preparation and training programs
  • Financial literacy education
  • Collective impact collaboratives and cradle-to-career partnerships

Affordable Housing

  • Programs addressing Connecticut's affordable housing shortage
  • Homelessness prevention and support
  • Housing stability initiatives for low- and moderate-income families

Food Security

  • Limited grants for primary food pantries and soup kitchens
  • Programs addressing food insecurity for low- and moderate-income residents

Small Business & Entrepreneurship

  • Grants to Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs)
  • Support for equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems

What They Don't Fund

  • Event sponsorships or organizations (grants support programming only)
  • General operating expenses or endowments
  • Capital campaigns or building projects (not a primary focus)
  • Organizations outside Liberty Bank's service area (Connecticut and Greater Springfield, MA)
  • Multiple applications from the same organization in a single year

Governance and Leadership

David W. Glidden - President and CEO of Liberty Bank and President of Liberty Bank Foundation

Glidden has been vocal about the Foundation's mission, stating: "Our 'Be Community Kind' tagline is more than just our marketing brand. It's the highest standard we set for ourselves when it comes to improving lives in our communities for generations to come." He emphasizes that "Investing in our communities through meaningful and impactful partnerships and volunteerism embodies our brand promise to Be Community Kind."

Doug Anderson - Former Chairman of Liberty Bank Foundation (also served as Chairman of Liberty Bank's Board of Directors). Anderson brought decades of diverse leadership experience in banking, finance, management, and operations.

The Foundation operates with a board of directors/trustees, though specific trustee names are not publicly detailed beyond leadership positions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Pre-Application Consultation (Strongly Recommended)

  • Organizations that have not previously received funding from Liberty Bank Foundation should contact the Foundation before applying
  • Email tmaher@liberty-bank.com to set up a time to discuss your proposal
  • This initial consultation helps determine alignment with funding priorities

Step 2: Submit Application

  • Application deadlines: February 1, May 1, and November 1
  • Grant applications are reviewed three times per year
  • Required materials include:
    • Completed application form
    • Copy of IRS determination documenting 501(c)(3) public charity status
    • List of board of directors or trustees with their affiliations
    • Complete budget for the project requesting funding

Decision Timeline

  • February 1 deadline: Decisions announced in May (approximately 3 months)
  • May 1 deadline: Decisions announced in August (approximately 3 months)
  • November 1 deadline: Decisions announced in February (approximately 3 months)

Applicants receive notification via email or phone following board review.

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. However, in 2024, the Foundation awarded 141 grants, and in 2023, it awarded 127 grants. The Foundation receives many requests and aims to give fair consideration to all applications.

Reapplication Policy

  • Organizations may submit only one application per calendar year
  • Support in one year does not guarantee future funding
  • The Foundation welcomes reapplications from organizations whose proposals were not funded, though specific waiting periods or restrictions are not publicly documented
  • Organizations are encouraged to maintain contact with the Foundation between application cycles

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Low- to Moderate-Income Focus: The Foundation explicitly targets programs serving low- and moderate-income individuals and families. Applications should clearly demonstrate how the proposed program serves this population in Liberty Bank's service area.

Geographic Fit: Strong preference for organizations operating in Liberty Bank's market area: Greater Hartford, Middlesex County, Greater New London, Connecticut shoreline areas, and Greater Springfield, Massachusetts. Programs serving towns and cities with high populations of low- and moderate-income families are particularly aligned with the Foundation's strategy.

Programmatic Focus Over Operations: The Foundation funds specific programs, not general operating expenses, events, or sponsorships. Successful applications articulate a clear program with measurable outcomes rather than institutional support requests.

Pre-Application Dialogue: The Foundation strongly encourages initial consultation before applying, especially for first-time applicants. This demonstrates respect for the Foundation's process and increases the likelihood of submitting a well-aligned proposal. Contact tmaher@liberty-bank.com to initiate this conversation.

Proven Track Record or Strong Plan: While the Foundation considers new organizations, capacity building grants are typically directed to agencies with existing Foundation relationships. First-time applicants should demonstrate organizational stability and a clear track record of serving the target population.

Economic Mobility Emphasis: The Foundation seeks to support "preventive programs designed to build the knowledge that parents and children need to become economically successful citizens." Applications should emphasize how programs help participants achieve economic stability and success, not just address immediate needs.

Recent Grant Examples: Understanding the Foundation's actual awards provides insight into priorities:

  • Middlesex YMCA: $1 million (largest single grant ever) for All Together Better Capital Campaign
  • Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke: $15,000 for youth programming
  • Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven: $15,000 for affordable housing
  • Middletown Public Schools: $7,500 for Family Engagement Liaisons
  • Pro Bono Partnership: Grant for capacity building support to nonprofits
  • East Longmeadow Food Pantry and Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity: $5,000 each

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Pre-application consultation is critical: Don't skip the recommended initial contact with tmaher@liberty-bank.com, especially for first-time applicants. This conversation helps ensure alignment and demonstrates respect for the Foundation's process.

  • Focus on economic mobility, not just services: Frame your program in terms of how it helps low- and moderate-income individuals achieve economic success and reach their potential, not just as service delivery.

  • Geographic specificity matters: Clearly identify which Liberty Bank service area communities your program serves and emphasize populations of low- and moderate-income families within those areas.

  • One shot per year: With only one application allowed per organization annually and three review cycles, choose your timing strategically based on your program timeline and readiness.

  • Program grants, not institutional support: Don't request general operating funds or event sponsorships. Articulate a specific program with clear outcomes and a detailed project budget.

  • Build the relationship: The Foundation values ongoing relationships and offers capacity building support to organizations in its portfolio. Consider the initial grant as a potential entry point to a longer-term partnership.

  • Align with the "Be Community Kind" philosophy: The Foundation's leadership emphasizes meaningful, impactful partnerships. Show how your organization shares this commitment to improving lives for generations to come.

References

← Back to US Funders Directory