Grants in Our Communities
Eastern Bank is committed to helping communities prosper. That's why we're proud to give an average of 10% of our net income every year to charity. Since 1999, we have donated more than $120 million to non-profit organizations.
We focus our giving on supporting organizations that provide services to the underserved and neediest members of our community. We work to ensure that all our neighbors have equal access to employment, education, healthcare, housing, childcare, healthy meals and other essential support services.
The Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation currently accepts 3 types of grant requests: Community Grants, CITC Grants and Neighborhood Grants. See the chart below to determine which type of grant is most appropriate for your request.
Application Instructions
All applications must be submitted via our online application. We do not accept paper requests or letters of inquiry. If you are a first-time user of our online system, you will need to register yourself as a new user.
Your email address is your unique identifier and can be associated with only one organization. If you are affiliated with more than one organization, please obtain additional email addresses and register for each organization separately.
Click Here to Apply for a Grant
See Which Grant is Right for your Organization
Grant Categories
Our Charitable Foundation currently accepts several types of grant requests:
- Community Grants
- CITC Grants
- Neighborhood Grants
- Grants for Good
Please carefully read the grant descriptions below to determine which type of grant is most appropriate for your request.
Should you have questions on the application process or the appropriate category for your request, please do not hesitate to contact us at foundation@easternbank.com.
Community Grants
Community Grants are awarded on a rolling basis throughout the year. Requests to support programs, projects, and event sponsorships are eligible.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
The organization:
- Must have a 501(c)(3) designation
- Cannot have an IRS subclassification of 509(a)(3)
- Cannot be a private foundation
AWARD AMOUNTS:
The average Community Grant is $2,500. The maximum award for a Community Grant is $10,000.
Our Foundation does not make multi-year commitments.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
Requests are reviewed on a rolling basis.
In approximately 60 days of receiving your grant request, you will be notified of the Committee's decision.*
*Applications for events should be submitted at least 60 days before your earliest print deadline.
Apply Now
CITC Grants
CITC grants are awarded to community development corporations in MA who are registered to participate in the program and have received an allocation for CITC credit.
You will need to include your Community Investment Plan (CIP) Executive Summary as required by the MACDC with your application.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
The organization:
- Must have a 501(c)(3) designation
- Must be a community development corporation
- Must be registered to participate in the CITC program
- Must have received an allocation for CITC credit
AWARD AMOUNTS:
The average CITC grant is less than $5,000. The maximum award for a CITC grant is $15,000.
Our Foundation does not make multi-year commitments.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
Requests are reviewed on a rolling basis.
In approximately 60 days of receiving your grant request, you will be notified of the Committee's decision.*
*Applications for events should be submitted at least 60 days before your earliest print deadline.
Apply Now
Neighborhood Grants
Neighborhood Grants are available to support organizations that do not have 501(c)(3) designation.
Typically this includes fundraisers, local youth-related activities, chamber of commerce events, trade organizations.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Your organization cannot have a 501(c)(3) IRS designation.
AWARD AMOUNTS:
The average Neighborhood Grant is $1,500. The maximum award for a Neighborhood Grant is $10,000.
Our Foundation does not make multi-year commitments.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
Requests are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Within 60 days of receiving your grant request, you will be notified of the Committee's decision.*
*Applications for events should be submitted at least 60 days before your earliest print deadline.
Apply Now
Grants for Good
Every child should have an equal opportunity for a bright future. To do our part in 2019, the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation will support Enriching Early Childhood Development in a number of ways, including our Grants for Good program.
It is our goal to use our resources to support 50 organizations in the communities we serve, working to provide all young children and families with the love, communication, play and stimulation they need for healthy development and readiness to learn.
For the first time, we have identified in advance and invited 200 organizations that are among the many we've worked with over the past five years, and that we believe are leaders in early childhood development, to apply for a 2019 Grant for Good.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Your organization will be notified directly by mid-May, if it has been selected and is eligible to apply for a Grant for Good.
Applicants can choose to apply for a grant in one of four categories:
- Supporting Professional Development for Early Educators
- Achieving Early Care and Learning Quality Standards
- Strengthening Parent Engagement in Early Childhood Development
- Upgrading Early Care and Learning Facilities and Supplies
AWARD AMOUNTS:
A total of 50 Grants for Good will be awarded to early learning organizations in the communities we serve. Grant awards will not exceed $10,000.
Our Foundation does not make multi-year commitments.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
Applications are due by Monday, June 10, 2019 at 5 p.m. (Eastern Time).
Grant decisions will be announced by the end of the summer 2019.
If we can assist in answering any questions, please reach out to us at foundation@easternbank.com.
Targeted Grants and Partnership Grants
As a result of enhancements to our 2019 Giving Impact Category on Enriching Early Childhood Development, we will no longer be offering Targeted Grants or Partnership Grants.
Every child should have an equal opportunity for a bright future. To do our part in 2019, the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation will support Enriching Early Childhood Development in a number of ways, including our Grants for Good program.
It is our goal to use our resources to support 50 organizations in the communities we serve, working to provide all young children and families with the love, communication, play and stimulation they need for healthy development and readiness to learn.
If we can assist in answering any questions, please reach out to us at foundation@easternbank.com.
2019 Charitable Giving Impact Category
The Eastern Bank Charitable Giving Impact Category for 2019 is:
ENRICHING EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Learn More
Our goal is to support impactful organizations across our geographic footprint, contributing to the health and vitality of the communities we serve. Download and view list of 2018 Organizations Receiving Donations of $1,000 or more, click here.
As a result of enhancements to our 2019 Giving Impact Category on Enriching Early Childhood Development, we will no longer be offering Targeted Grants or Partnership Grants.
In 2018, we made grants totaling $12 million to charitable organizations throughout eastern MA and coastal and southern NH. The grants ranged in size from $100 to $100,000. We support a diverse array of organizations and the grants that were made in 2018 are grouped into the following categories:
| Mission Area |
2018 Support Level |
| Advancing Women* |
29% |
| Human Services |
22% |
| Family & Children |
12% |
| Education |
10% |
| Economic Revitalization |
7% |
| Healthcare |
7% |
| Social Justice |
7% |
| Other |
6% |
*2018 Targeted Grant Category
