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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: 3 review cycles per year
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $25,000
  • Geographic Focus: Connecticut and Greater Springfield, Massachusetts (Liberty Bank market area)

Contact Details

Address: 1190 Silas Deane Hwy, Wethersfield, CT 06109

Phone: (860) 638-2961

Email: tmaher@liberty-bank.com (for pre-application discussions)

Website: https://libertybankfoundation.org

Pre-Application Support: Required for first-time applicants. All applicants encouraged to email to discuss proposals before submitting.

Overview

Liberty Bank Foundation was established in 1997 as the charitable arm of Liberty Bank, Connecticut's oldest mutual bank. Since inception, the foundation has awarded over $21 million in grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts. In 2024, the foundation achieved a record year, awarding 141 grants totaling nearly $2.1 million—the highest dollar amount in its history. The foundation's mission focuses on empowering low-to-moderate income residents through grants to education programs that support economic success, affordable housing initiatives, and food security programs. Led by Executive Director Toral Maher, the foundation takes a highly collaborative, relationship-focused approach to grantmaking, providing not just funding but also volunteer support and professional guidance to partner organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grants: $5,000 - $25,000 (most grants awarded at the $5,000-$10,000 level)

  • Reviewed three times per year
  • Supports programming (not events or general operating expenses in most cases)
  • One-time basis grants

Special Initiatives:

  • Community Organizing Mini-Grant Program
  • Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive partnership with local Rotary Clubs

Priority Areas

Education & Training:

  • Early childhood education
  • After-school tutoring and mentoring
  • College/career exploration and preparation
  • Parent leadership training
  • Job preparation and training
  • Financial literacy education
  • Workforce development programs

Affordable Housing:

  • Ending homelessness
  • Affordable housing development and support
  • Housing stability programs

Food Security:

  • Food pantries ($5,000-$10,000 grants to primary food pantries or soup kitchens in each community)
  • Hunger relief programs
  • Basic human needs

Special Considerations:

  • Programs serving low-to-moderate income individuals and families
  • Preventive programs that generate long-term change rather than temporary relief
  • Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs) serving small businesses

What They Don't Fund

  • Event sponsorships (handled separately by Liberty Bank's corporate sponsorship program)
  • Organizations outside Liberty Bank's market area
  • Programs that do not serve low-to-moderate income populations
  • General operating expenses (with limited exceptions)

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Toral Maher, Senior Vice President

  • Over 15 years of experience in foundation leadership and administration
  • 20 years as a Liberty Bank employee, working her way up from service associate to senior program officer before assuming executive director role in 2021
  • Purpose-driven corporate social responsibility leader with expertise in community engagement and volunteer program management

Board Leadership: Doug Anderson, Chairman (also serves as Chairman of Liberty Bank's Board of Directors)

Quote from Leadership: Regarding programs that empower families, Toral Maher stated: "We're proud to support programs like this that encourage parents to be advocates for their children's health, safety and learning."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

First-Time Applicants: Must email tmaher@liberty-bank.com to set up a time to discuss your proposal before applying.

Previous Grantees: Online application portal available; email consultation encouraged but not required.

Application Requirements:

  • Complete online application form
  • IRS determination letter documenting 501(c)(3) public charity status
  • List of board of directors with affiliations
  • Complete project budget
  • All documents must be uploaded; system will not accept incomplete applications

Important Restrictions:

  • Only one application per organization per calendar year
  • Organizations must operate within Liberty Bank's market area (Connecticut and Greater Springfield, Massachusetts)

Decision Timeline

  • Grant requests are reviewed three times per year
  • Specific review cycle deadlines available on foundation website
  • Notification methods not specified in public materials

Success Rates

  • In 2024: 141 grants awarded from total applications received (total application numbers not publicly disclosed)
  • Historical data: 153 awards (2024), 127 awards (2023), 126 awards (2022), 111 awards (2021)
  • Success rate percentage not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

  • Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent years
  • One application per organization per calendar year limit applies to all applicants
  • Support in one year does not guarantee future funding
  • No waiting period specified for unsuccessful applicants

Application Success Factors

Foundation's Stated Evaluation Criteria:

  • Level of need of the people to be served
  • Whether the program generates long-term change by preventing potential problems (vs. providing only temporary relief)
  • Return on investment (ROI) and number of people served
  • Alignment with foundation's focus areas (Education & Training, Affordable Housing, Food)
  • Service to low-to-moderate income populations

Recent Successful Grant Examples:

  • Middlesex YMCA's All Together Better Capital Campaign: $1 million (largest single grant in foundation history)
  • American Cancer Society: $50,000
  • The Hundred Club of Connecticut: $25,000
  • Habitat for Humanity of Greater New Haven: $15,000
  • Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance (SINA) in Hartford: $15,000
  • Connecticut Veterans Legal Center: $10,000
  • Higher Edge in New London: $10,000
  • Pro Bono Partnership: $5,000

Advice from Reviewers and Grantees:

  • "Just pick up the phone and give them a call"—the foundation is described as very accessible
  • Get to know the staff; relationship-building is valuable
  • Be sure your ROI is defensible—demonstrate clear impact metrics
  • Focus on specific programs rather than general operating expenses
  • Emphasize preventive approaches and long-term outcomes
  • Demonstrate how the program serves low-to-moderate income populations

Foundation's Collaborative Approach:

  • Described as highly collaborative and relationship-focused
  • Provides more than just funding—offers volunteer support and professional advice
  • Values ongoing partnerships with community organizations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Pre-application contact is critical: Email to discuss your proposal before applying, especially for first-time applicants. The foundation values relationship-building and wants to ensure alignment before you invest time in a full application.

  • Focus on prevention and long-term change: The foundation evaluates whether programs generate lasting impact versus temporary relief. Emphasize how your program prevents problems and creates sustainable outcomes.

  • Demonstrate ROI: Be prepared to show defensible return on investment metrics, particularly the number of people served relative to grant amount requested.

  • Target the sweet spot: Most grants are $5,000-$10,000 for specific programs. Request amounts in this range unless you have a compelling case for larger funding.

  • Serve low-to-moderate income populations: This is non-negotiable. Clearly demonstrate how your program benefits this demographic within Liberty Bank's market area.

  • One shot per year: With only one application allowed per calendar year and three review cycles, timing matters. Plan strategically and submit your strongest proposal.

  • Think partnership, not transaction: The foundation seeks collaborative relationships and provides volunteer support beyond funding. Highlight opportunities for ongoing engagement.

References

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