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Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.4M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,437,583
  • Number of Grants: 341 grants (2024)
  • Decision Time: 8-12 weeks
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $50,000
  • Average Grant: $5,000
  • Geographic Focus: Eastern Massachusetts, South New Hampshire, and Rhode Island
  • Total Distributed to Date: Over $30 million

Contact Details

Website: https://www.rocklandtrust.com/about-us/explore/community-giving

Email: Charitable.Giving@RocklandTrust.com

Application Portal: https://bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/programs/ce6213ef-569f-4078-93a7-af3e1557637a

Headquarters: 288 Union Street, Rockland, MA

Overview

The Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation was established as the philanthropic arm of Rockland Trust Bank, with a mission to strengthen the communities served by the bank, enabling individuals and their families to access opportunity and improve the quality of their lives. With total assets exceeding $50 million, the foundation distributed $2,437,583 through 341 grants in 2024. Since its inception, the foundation has distributed over $30 million to qualified non-profit organizations throughout eastern Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and South New Hampshire. The foundation's strategic approach focuses on six primary areas: affordable housing, community development, education, financial literacy, health and human services, and youth programs. In recent years, the foundation has expanded its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through specialized grant programs that have awarded over $850,000 since 2021.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grants Program: $1,000 - $50,000 (average: $5,000)

  • Applications accepted on a rolling basis until October 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST
  • Multiyear commitments available (typically 2-3 years)
  • Supports program or general operating expenses for 501(c)(3) public charities

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Grant Program: Up to $15,000

  • Launched in 2021, has provided over $850,000 to 65 organizations
  • Supports internal organizational or external community-focused DEI projects
  • Over $300,000 awarded to 23 nonprofits in 2024

Community Donations: Smaller funding amounts

  • Reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year
  • Decisions communicated 6-8 weeks after submission
  • Available to both 501(c)(3) organizations and community organizations

Priority Areas

  • Affordable Housing: Including homeless and domestic violence shelters
  • Small Business Support: Programs that support small business development
  • Children & Youth: Youth programs and educational initiatives (excluding sports teams)
  • Financial Inclusion and Workforce Development: Programs promoting economic opportunity
  • Health & Human Services: Community health and social service programs
  • Community Development: Initiatives strengthening local communities

Geographic Eligibility

Organizations must be located in and serve individuals in these areas:

Massachusetts: Barnstable, Bristol, Norfolk, Plymouth, Essex, Suffolk, Middlesex, Worcester, Nantucket, and Dukes counties

Rhode Island: Providence County

New Hampshire: Hillsborough and Rockingham counties

What They Don't Fund

  • Non-501(c)(3) organizations
  • Political or religious organizations
  • Capital requests (buildings, equipment, renovations)
  • Single-disease research
  • Discriminatory organizations
  • Requests benefiting very few people
  • Sports teams

Governance and Leadership

Alastair Ironside, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Rockland Trust, serves as President and Chair of the Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation.

Ed Seksay, Executive Vice President, Chief Risk Officer, and General Counsel of Rockland Trust Company, also manages Rockland Trust's affiliated charitable foundations.

Andrea Borowiecki, Vice President of Charitable Giving & Community Engagement, oversees the foundation's grant programs. Borowiecki has stated: "Our foundation is honored to support [work] that is so deeply rooted in a passion for giving back and empowering an underserved community."

The foundation operates as part of Rockland Trust Bank's broader community engagement strategy, with oversight from the bank's Board of Directors led by Chair Donna L. Abelli and CEO Jeffrey J. Tengel.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation uses a three-step application process:

  1. Review Eligibility Guidelines: Review the giving guidelines to determine eligibility for funding
  2. Access Application Portal: Create a new organizational account or log into an existing account at https://bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/programs/ce6213ef-569f-4078-93a7-af3e1557637a
  3. Complete and Submit: Complete the application and submit all materials by the deadline

Application Timing

  • Submission Deadline: October 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST (rolling basis until deadline)
  • Important: Organizations are strongly encouraged to not wait until the program closure date to apply
  • Multiyear Requests: Accepted and typically span 2-3 years, requiring annual narrative and financial reports

Decision Timeline

  • Decisions communicated 8-12 weeks after submission
  • Notifications sent via email
  • Grants over $10,000, including multi-year commitments, require a grant agreement signed by the grantee

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, the foundation made 341 grants in 2024 and 160 grants in 2022, indicating substantial grantmaking activity. The foundation and Rockland Trust Bank combined provided $4.2 million in grants and sponsorships to over 900 nonprofits and community organizations across Massachusetts in 2023.

Reapplication Policy

  • The foundation does not typically fund multiple applications (grant, sponsorship, or community donation) from the same organization in a single calendar year
  • Any request will take into consideration funding already received by Rockland Trust, Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation, and Enterprise Bank
  • Community donation support in one year does not guarantee support in subsequent years
  • Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly stated; contact the foundation directly for clarification

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Focus Areas

The foundation prioritizes projects that align with their six focus areas and directly serve communities within Rockland Trust Bank's geographic footprint. Recent successful grants demonstrate their commitment to:

  • Workforce development programs: St. Francis House received a $75,000 grant over three years for their Workforce Development: Pathways to Self-Sufficiency program
  • Homelessness prevention: FamilyAid received a $90,000 grant over three years to address the needs of over 3,000 children experiencing homelessness in Greater Boston
  • Affordable housing: Island Housing Trust Corporation received $100,000 for Bellevue Veterans Community, affordable rental apartments in Oak Bluffs
  • Community services expansion: YMCA of Martha's Vineyard received $100,000 to expand facilities and services

Foundation's Stated Priorities

The foundation's mission emphasizes "enabling individuals and their families to access opportunity and improve the quality of their lives," suggesting successful applications should clearly demonstrate how programs create pathways to opportunity and measurable improvements in quality of life.

Strategic Considerations

  • Geographic connection: Applications must originate from organizations based in or serving residents in communities served by Rockland Trust Bank
  • Multiyear funding: The foundation welcomes multiyear commitments (2-3 years), which may indicate preference for sustainable, long-term programs
  • DEI integration: The foundation has invested over $850,000 in DEI initiatives since 2021, suggesting organizations demonstrating commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion may have competitive advantages
  • Timing: Applying early in the rolling cycle rather than waiting until the deadline is explicitly encouraged

Reporting Requirements

For multiyear grants, the foundation requires annual narrative and financial reports, indicating they value accountability and measurable outcomes.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Apply early: The foundation explicitly encourages organizations not to wait until the October deadline, suggesting early applications may be advantageous in a competitive rolling process
  • Geographic fit is essential: Ensure your organization is based in and serves communities within the foundation's specific geographic coverage areas (eastern MA, Providence RI, southern NH)
  • Consider multiyear requests: The foundation accepts and has granted multiyear commitments of 2-3 years, which may provide more stable funding for sustained programs
  • Demonstrate community impact: Align proposals with the foundation's mission to "enable individuals and their families to access opportunity and improve quality of life"
  • Explore DEI opportunities: If applicable, consider the specialized DEI grant program which has distributed significant funding ($850,000+) since 2021
  • Average $5,000 is typical: While grants range from $1,000-$50,000, the median grant is $5,000, so budget requests should be realistic
  • No capital funding: Do not request funding for buildings, equipment, or renovations—focus on program or general operating support only

References

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