Associated Bank Community Grants

Charitable Grants Supporting Affordable Housing, Small Business Development, Workforce Development, Sustainability, and Economic Empowerment

Associated Bank and the Associated Bank Foundation provide charitable grants and sponsorships to nonprofit organizations that help create and sustain strong, vibrant, and stable communities. The bank’s philanthropic giving focuses primarily on community development programs, with an emphasis on economic opportunity, equity, and neighborhood well-being.

Organization: Associated Bank / Associated Bank Foundation
Support Type: Charitable grants and sponsorships
Geographic Focus: Associated Bank retail footprint, including Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska
Application Period: February 1 through October 1

New to corporate grant fundraising?
Read our Corporate Grants for Nonprofits: Ultimate Guide to learn how corporate funding works.

About the Funder

Associated Bank supports nonprofit organizations working to strengthen the communities where the bank operates. Through Associated Bank and the Associated Bank Foundation, the company provides charitable donations, grants, and sponsorships that align with its community commitment priorities.

The bank places particular emphasis on programs that address systemic economic development challenges, expand access to opportunity, and support low-to-moderate income individuals, families, neighborhoods, schools, and underserved communities.

What This Program Supports

Associated Bank’s grantmaking priorities include:

Affordable Housing
Programs that provide access to affordable housing options for low-to-moderate income individuals and families. Examples include:

Down payment and closing cost assistance
Homebuyer education, including pre-purchase, post-purchase, and foreclosure education
Credit counseling
Nonprofit affordable housing development
Affordable rental development and assistance

Small Business Development
Activities that support the creation, retention, and growth of small businesses and underserved entrepreneurs. Examples include:

Programs that attract and retain small businesses
Community or neighborhood redevelopment efforts that create small business opportunities
Small business access to capital
Technical assistance and entrepreneur training
Business growth efforts that support job creation or retention

Workforce Development
Programs that support career readiness, workforce training, and skills development. Examples include:

Financial empowerment
Digital inclusion
Youth and educational programs
Scholarships

Sustainability
Programs that promote conservation, resource efficiency, and alternative transportation. Examples include:

Climate change mitigation
Creation and preservation of food gardens that address food deserts and healthy food habits
Energy efficiency and education about alternative energy sources
Recycling programs

Economic Empowerment
Programs that address gaps in access to wealth-building, health, and educational resources.

Eligibility & Preferences

Associated Bank reviews requests from 501(c)(3) public charities serving communities within its retail footprint.

The bank uses the following definitions when reviewing requests:

Low-to-Moderate Income: Less than 80% of the area median income
Low-to-Moderate Income Area: Areas designated as low- and moderate-income census tracts
Low-to-Moderate Income School: Schools where 51% or more of students are eligible for free or reduced lunch
Small Business: Businesses with gross annual revenue under $1 million
Minority Area: Census tracts where 51% or more of the population is identified as minority
Underserved Businesses and Entrepreneurs: Businesses that are women-owned, veteran-owned, LGBTQ+ owned, or owned by entrepreneurs of color

Sponsorship Requests

Associated Bank also considers sponsorship requests for activities such as:

One-time events
Special events
Fundraisers
Golf tournaments or scrambles
Corporate tables at galas
Advertisements
Sporting events

Sponsorship requests are reviewed by local leadership teams on a monthly or bi-monthly basis.

Funding Restrictions

Associated Bank and the Associated Bank Foundation do not fund:

Organizations that discriminate against protected classes
Sectarian services
Endowments
Unrestricted gifts to foundations
Lobbying or political organizations
Individual fundraising
Research

Associated Bank also notes that it will not support programming that does not foster a culture of belonging for colleagues, customers, and communities.

Funding Amounts

Associated Bank does not publish standard grant amounts. Award sizes likely vary based on program alignment, geography, request type, and available funding.

Timeline & Review

📅 Application Period: February 1 through October 1 each year
📅 Funding Period: Approved requests are funded March 1 through October 31
📅 Foundation Grant Review: Grant requests submitted to the Associated Bank Foundation are reviewed monthly
📅 Local Grant and Sponsorship Review: Regional leadership teams review local grant requests and sponsorships every six to eight weeks
📅 October 1 Deadline Note: Sponsorship requests submitted after October 1 may not be considered for funding during the same calendar year

Application / Request Process

Qualified organizations must apply online through Associated Bank’s grant application system. Applicants are encouraged to review the grant funding guidelines before submitting a request to ensure alignment with the bank’s focus areas, eligibility requirements, and geographic priorities.

Apply / Learn More:
➡️ Associated Bank Community Grants

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

This opportunity is a strong fit for nonprofits working in Associated Bank communities that are focused on economic mobility, community development, and access to opportunity.

It may be especially relevant for organizations that:

Serve low-to-moderate income individuals, families, schools, or neighborhoods
Support affordable housing access or development
Help small businesses and underserved entrepreneurs grow
Provide workforce readiness, financial empowerment, or digital inclusion programs
Promote sustainability and environmental resource efficiency
Address gaps in wealth-building, health, and educational resources

Associated Bank’s grant program is best suited for organizations with clear community development outcomes and a strong connection to the bank’s retail footprint.

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Review Type: Monthly or every six to eight weeks, depending on request type
Application Window: February 1 through October 1
Funding Period: March 1 through October 31
Funding Amount: Not publicly specified
Best Suited For: 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving Associated Bank communities with programs focused on affordable housing, small business development, workforce development, sustainability, or economic empowerment
Geographic Priority: Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska