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Eversource Energy Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$7.0M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.0M
Decision Time
3mo

Eversource Energy Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7,000,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Data not publicly available
  • Decision Time: 8-12 weeks
  • Grant Range: $500 - $10,000+ (typical grants $1,000-$10,000; Community Grants $500-$2,500)
  • Geographic Focus: Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire (Eversource service territory)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.eversource.com/residential/about/community/supporting-the-community/eversource-energy-foundation

Email: Giving@eversource.com

Phone: 860-665-3306

Address: P.O. Box 270, Hartford, Connecticut 06141-0270

Overview

The Eversource Energy Foundation Inc (EIN: 06-1527290) is an independent, nonprofit philanthropic organization established in 1998 and funded exclusively by Eversource Energy shareholders. The Foundation aims to "help build a healthier, stronger, sustainable and more equitable future for our customers and communities." In 2023, the Foundation distributed $5,984,122 across 550 grants, and increased its total giving to $7 million in 2024 to support charitable organizations throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. A board of directors governs the Foundation and reviews program guidelines to ensure alignment with the organization's values, mission, and giving strategy. The Foundation focuses its grantmaking on programs that provide broad, meaningful, and sustainable change in the communities Eversource serves.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Eversource Energy Foundation Grants: $1,000 - $10,000+ (typical range)

  • General charitable grant program for larger requests
  • Applications reviewed on rolling basis
  • For requests above $10,000, organizations should submit a one-page letter with proposal explaining why Eversource would be a good partner
  • Application process closes mid-October; reopens in March for following calendar year

Community Grants Program: $500 - $2,500

  • Awards approximately $500,000 annually to more than 250 nonprofit organizations
  • Supports programs and initiatives addressing critical community issues including hunger, homelessness, education, STEM programming, environment, and public safety
  • Managed through state-specific Community Relations representatives

Priority Areas

Community Wellness and Basic Human Needs Programs that provide families with essential tools and resources to meet their basic health and human services needs, including food security, nutritional support, social services, and medical assistance.

Education STEM education initiatives, literacy programs, mentoring, and youth development programs designed to help build a well-trained workforce.

Clean Energy and Environmental Stewardship Organizations that educate, inform, and advance environmental issues with potential to impact communities, including environmental conservation and education, park updates, and trail projects.

Community Awareness and Engagement Organizations that encourage and promote the engagement of historically marginalized and underserved communities.

Community, Economic and Workforce Development Programs that help revitalize underserved communities and support workforce development and educational opportunities.

What They Don't Fund

  • Personal expenses related to events, conferences, or travel
  • Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or marital status

Governance and Leadership

The Eversource Energy Foundation is governed by a board of directors that oversees the organization and reviews Foundation program guidelines to ensure they reflect the Foundation's values, mission, and giving strategy. Specific board member names are not publicly disclosed in Foundation materials. The Foundation operates independently from the Eversource Energy corporate structure, though it is funded solely by Eversource Energy shareholders.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation operates an annual application cycle with online submission through their website. Organizations can apply for a grant or sponsorship by visiting the Eversource Energy Foundation page and completing the eligibility quiz to begin the application process.

Key Application Requirements:

  • Must be a nonprofit organization with IRS-designated 501(c)(3) status
  • Must be based within Eversource's service territory (Connecticut, Massachusetts, or New Hampshire)
  • Request for funding must fit within at least one of the Foundation's core focus areas
  • Funding requests for a program or event must be submitted at least 90 days in advance
  • Only one donation per organization allowed in a calendar year
  • Grants do not automatically renew; organizations must reapply each year

Application Cycle:

  • Applications close mid-October for the current calendar year
  • Application process reopens in March for the following year
  • The Foundation is not accepting funding requests for 2025 calendar year; applications will reopen in March 2026

Decision Timeline

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with review times typically taking 8-12 weeks from submission to decision. Organizations should plan to submit requests at least 90 days before the program or event date to allow for adequate review time.

Success Rates

The Foundation distributed 550 grants totaling approximately $5,984,122 in 2023, and increased total giving to $7 million in 2024. Specific success rates and the total number of applications received are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Grants do not automatically renew, and organizations must reapply each year. There is a limit of one donation per organization per calendar year. The Foundation does not publicly disclose specific policies regarding unsuccessful applicants or waiting periods for reapplication.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrate Clear Alignment with Priority Areas The Foundation requires that funding requests fit within at least one of their core focus areas. Applications should explicitly connect proposed programs to the Foundation's stated priorities: Community Wellness and Basic Human Needs, Education, Clean Energy and Environmental Stewardship, Community Awareness and Engagement, or Community, Economic and Workforce Development.

Serve Communities in Eversource Territory Eligibility is limited to organizations serving communities within Eversource's service territory in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Applications should clearly demonstrate the geographic benefit to these communities.

Emphasize Partnership Value for Larger Requests For requests above $10,000, the Foundation specifically asks applicants to explain "why Eversource would be a good partner" in a one-page letter accompanying the proposal. This suggests the Foundation values collaborative relationships and seeks to understand the mutual benefit of the partnership.

Focus on Sustainable and Meaningful Change The Foundation's stated mission emphasizes supporting "organizations, initiatives and services that provide broad, meaningful and sustainable change in the communities they serve." Applications should articulate the long-term impact and sustainability of proposed programs.

Recent Funded Projects as Examples In 2024, the Foundation awarded significant grants including:

  • United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut: $74,500 to support initiatives addressing critical community needs for low-to-moderate income households, particularly ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families
  • United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut: $260,000
  • Total United Way campaign support: $2.7 million supporting hundreds of nonprofit organizations

These examples demonstrate the Foundation's commitment to organizations addressing basic needs and supporting working families facing economic challenges.

Plan Ahead for Timeline With an 8-12 week review period and requirement for 90-day advance notice for program/event funding, successful applicants plan well ahead of their program needs and budget accordingly.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic specificity is essential: Your organization must serve communities within Connecticut, Massachusetts, or New Hampshire where Eversource operates
  • Annual reapplication required: Even successful grantees cannot assume renewal; build time into your annual planning cycle for reapplication
  • One shot per year: With only one donation allowed per organization per calendar year, make your strongest case in a single application
  • Timing matters critically: Submit at least 90 days before program/event dates, and note that the application cycle closes mid-October and reopens in March
  • Partnership framing for larger asks: Requests over $10,000 require articulating mutual partnership value, not just organizational need
  • Emphasis on equity and access: Recent giving patterns show strong support for organizations serving low-to-moderate income families and historically marginalized communities
  • Sustainable impact over short-term fixes: Frame your program in terms of long-term, sustainable community change rather than one-time interventions

References

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