The Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations that strengthen local communities by supporting education, health and human services, youth programs, and community development.

Rockland Trust's philanthropic mission is to strengthen the communities served by Rockland Trust Bank, enabling individuals and their families to access opportunity and improve the quality of their lives.

Funding Opportunities

• Grants

• Community Donations

• Event Sponsorships

Funding Priorities

Grants are provided to organizations or programs that fall within the following focus areas:

-Affordable Housing

Priority is given to programs that create and provide safe, affordable housing or provide programs and services to provide shelter and/or foster homeownership or ensure that individuals and families stay in their current homes, thereby preventing homelessness. 

Examples of funded programs are: 

• Development of low-to-moderate income housing 

• Emergency home repairs 

• Rental assistance programs 

• Homebuyer education programs 

• Foreclosure prevention and homeowner counseling programs 

• Domestic violence and homeless shelters

-Children & Youth

priority is given to programs that are preventive in nature and that focus on providing children and youth with equal access and opportunity to programs and services that foster health, wellness, education, and leadership skills to achieve their full potential. 

Examples of funded programs are: 

• Parenting education and training 

• Early childhood education 

• Social-emotional and mental health, including grief support programs 

• After-school enrichment/tutoring programs in sports, arts, and leadership with an educational component 

• Mentoring and literacy programs 

• Access to summer camps for underserved youth 

• Career/College exploration, preparation, and support

Requests for youth sports teams, parent-teacher organizations, Scout troops, local scholarships, education foundations, food insecurity/access, and basic needs (holiday gifts, backpacks, clothing, etc.) are considered for support through Rockland Trust’s Community Donation program.

-Financial Education: Support is provided to organizations that offer financial literacy programs, including money management, budgeting, banking, credit building, and debt reduction.

-Small Business Support: Support is provided to organizations that offer programs to support small, for-profit businesses and entrepreneurial assistance programs that strengthen our communities.

-Workforce Development

Support of programs/organizations that enable individuals to build the employment skills they will need to achieve their potential and become contributing members of society. 

• Adult education, e.g., English as a Second Language 

• Job preparation, training, and placement

Organizations must be located in, and serve, individuals in one or more of the following geographic areas:

Massachusetts Counties

• Barnstable

• Nantucket

• Bristol

• Norfolk

• Dukes

• Plymouth

• Essex

• Suffolk

• Middlesex

• Worcester

New Hampshire Counties

• Hillsborough

• Rockingham

Rhode Island Counties

• Providence

Funding Amount

Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation’s average grant amount is $5,000, but can range from $2,500 - $10,000+. Grants of more than $10,000, including multi-year commitments, will be supported by a grant agreement signed by the grantee. The Foundation reserves the right to make grants in multi-year installments, usually 2-3 years. Grant support of an organization in one year does not guarantee support in subsequent years.

Rockland Trust Charitable Foundation only requires grant reports for awards of $10,000 or more and multi-year grants.