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Amica Companies Foundation

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

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,173,711
  • Total Assets: $44 million
  • Decision Time: Up to 8 weeks
  • Grant Range: $500 - $70,000
  • Median Grant: $175
  • Average Grant: $2,500
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Rhode Island, expanding to Northwest and Southwest U.S.

Contact Details

Website: https://www.amica.com/en/about-us/corporate-responsibility/charitable-grants.html

Address: Amica Companies Foundation, Lincoln, RI

Application Portal: Online application system available through Amica's website

Overview

The Amica Companies Foundation was formally established in 1996 as the philanthropic arm of Amica Mutual Insurance Company. With $44 million in assets and approximately $3.2 million in annual giving, the foundation focuses its mission on "harnessing the power of enduring relationships to help individuals, families and communities become economically independent and strong." The foundation made 2,178 grants in 2023, demonstrating its commitment to supporting a wide range of community organizations. While historically focused on Rhode Island, the foundation has expanded its geographic reach to include nonprofits in the Northwest and Southwest regions of the United States, particularly those with connections to Amica employees. The foundation is notable for its strong emphasis on employee engagement, with employees directing more than $1 million in giving each year through matching gifts and employee-nominated grant programs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Charitable Grants Program

  • Grant Range: $500 - $70,000
  • Median Grant: $175
  • Average Grant: $2,500
  • Application Method: Online portal, rolling basis
  • Quarterly decision cycles with cutoff dates

Employee Citizenship Grant Program

  • Grants awarded to organizations where Amica employees actively volunteer
  • Selection by committee
  • Employee nominations drive funding decisions

Employee Matching Gift Program

  • Matches employee, pensioner, and director contributions to nonprofits
  • Historical match rate: 1:1 to 1.5:1
  • Historical match limit: Up to $19,800 per person (based on 2011 data)

Proactive Giving Program

  • Nearly $1 million awarded to 14 nonprofits
  • Focuses on organizations connected to Amica branches nationwide
  • Supports expansion outside Rhode Island

Priority Areas

The foundation prioritizes organizations serving Rhode Island residents and beyond in:

  • Basic Needs and Community Development: Direct services to underserved and low-income communities
  • Education: Youth development and financial education programs
  • Health: Health services and human services organizations
  • Arts and Culture: Cultural institutions and programs
  • Community and Public Affairs: Civic engagement and community strengthening

Special Emphasis: Children and youth-serving organizations receive particular attention, with significant support for organizations like Children's Friend of Providence, Boys and Girls Club of Northern Rhode Island, Year Up, and Junior Achievement of Rhode Island.

What They Don't Fund

  • Capital campaigns
  • Building restorations
  • Operating expenses

Governance and Leadership

President and CEO of Amica Mutual Insurance: Edmund (Ted) Shallcross III serves as President and Chief Executive Officer. Regarding the foundation's work, Shallcross has stated: "At Amica, we are committed to strengthening our communities and supporting the humanitarian work of the Red Cross," and "All year long, Amica supports important causes both here in Rhode Island and across the country."

Former CEO: Robert DiMuccio (retired end of 2022) emphasized the importance of "giving back to the community through our charitable foundation" as a core part of Amica's mission.

Foundation Structure: The foundation operates with a committee structure that reviews grant applications and makes funding decisions. Detailed board information is not publicly disclosed in readily accessible sources.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be a qualified federal tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization
  • Primarily serve Rhode Island residents (for Rhode Island-focused grants)
  • Organizations may submit only one application per year

Application Process:

  1. Begin with online eligibility quiz on the foundation's website
  2. Submit complete application through online portal
  3. Applications accepted year-round on a rolling basis
  4. Quarterly review cycles with specific cutoff dates

Quarterly Review Schedule:

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

Decision Timeline

  • Review process takes up to 8 weeks from submission
  • Applicants receive email notification of decision
  • Decisions announced in the month following each quarterly cutoff

Success Rates

The foundation made 2,178 grants in 2023, distributing $3.2 million. While specific acceptance rates are not publicly disclosed, the high volume of awards (2,903 grants annually based on some reports) indicates a relatively accessible funder, particularly for smaller grant amounts.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations are asked to submit only one application for funding per year. The foundation does not publicly disclose specific waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants, but the one-application-per-year policy suggests organizations should wait until the following year to reapply.

Application Success Factors

Employee Connections: The foundation has a strong emphasis on organizations where Amica employees are actively involved. According to Inside Philanthropy, networking with employees can help explore opportunities. The Employee Citizenship Grant Program specifically supports nonprofits where staff volunteer, making employee engagement a significant advantage.

Alignment with Mission: Applications must clearly demonstrate how they help individuals, families, and communities "become economically independent and strong" - this is the foundation's core mission statement and should be explicitly addressed in proposals.

Focus on Direct Services: The foundation prioritizes organizations that provide direct services to underserved and low-income communities, particularly in Rhode Island. Applications should emphasize direct impact on beneficiaries rather than indirect or capacity-building work.

Children and Youth Focus: Giving patterns show strong emphasis on children and youth-serving organizations. Programs targeting young people have received substantial support, including organizations like Junior Achievement (which Amica co-founded in Rhode Island in 1948), Year Up, Boys and Girls Clubs, and youth education programs.

Geographic Considerations: Rhode Island organizations remain the primary focus, though the foundation notes it is "currently inundated with requests" from local nonprofits and is "not seeking additional local grantees" according to a 2018 Inside Philanthropy article. However, they continue to accept Rhode Island applications through their regular process. The foundation is expanding support to nonprofits in Northwest and Southwest U.S. regions, particularly those with employee connections.

Long-term Relationships: The foundation emphasizes "enduring relationships" in its mission. Organizations like the American Red Cross (20-year partnership, over $1 million contributed) and Junior Achievement (75+ year relationship) demonstrate the foundation values ongoing partnerships.

Practical Application Advice: The foundation's website advises applicants to "carefully align proposal with foundation's mission and funding priorities." Given the exclusions (no capital campaigns, building restorations, or operating expenses), applications should focus on programmatic support.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Employee engagement is a significant advantage: If you have Amica employees or retirees volunteering with your organization, highlight this prominently and consider having them nominate you through the Employee Citizenship Grant Program
  • Focus on economic independence: Frame your work explicitly in terms of helping individuals, families, and communities become "economically independent and strong" - use this language directly
  • Direct service emphasis: Demonstrate direct, measurable impact on underserved and low-income beneficiaries; avoid applications focused solely on capacity building or indirect services
  • Youth programs favored: Children and youth-serving programs receive particular attention; if your work involves young people, emphasize this component
  • Small grants are common: With a median grant of $175 and average of $2,500, don't expect large awards unless you fall into their top tier ($35,000-$70,000 range seems reserved for select organizations)
  • Rhode Island connection critical: For non-Rhode Island organizations, establishing a connection through Amica's Northwest or Southwest branches or through employee engagement is essential
  • One shot per year: Submit only one application annually; make it count by ensuring strong alignment with all funding priorities before applying

References

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