Rockland Trust – Community Giving Program (2026)

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Event Sponsorships • Grants • Community Donations Supporting New England Communities

Organization: Rockland Trust
Support Type: Event sponsorships, nonprofit grants, and community donations
Geographic Focus: MA, NH, and RI communities near Rockland Trust branch locations
Application Status: Open (multiple pathways via online portal)

About the Funder

Rockland Trust’s Community Giving Program supports nonprofits and organizations that strengthen the social and economic fabric of the communities it serves. The bank provides three distinct forms of support—event sponsorships, grants, and community donations—each designed to meet different community needs. Applicants begin in a single online portal that uses eligibility questions to route requests to the appropriate program.

Note: Rockland Trust typically does not fund multiple requests (grant, donation, or sponsorship) from the same organization within a single calendar year. Organizations considering a second request are encouraged to contact the Community Giving team before applying.

I. Event Sponsorship Requests

Purpose

Supports date-specific events and short-term activities that align with Rockland Trust’s community priorities and offer brand visibility and engagement.

Typical Sponsored Events

Fundraising breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and galas
Golf tournaments
Charity walks and runs
Community festivals
School or nonprofit fundraisers

Sponsorship Eligibility & Exclusions

Rockland Trust does not sponsor:

Organizations that discriminate based on protected class status
Individuals or families
Political candidates or political/lobbying organizations
Religious organizations requesting funding for religious purposes
Field trips or conference attendance fees

Review Criteria

Community impact
Alignment with Rockland Trust’s mission
Geographic relevance
Brand visibility and engagement opportunities
Previous support received

Geographic Priority

Organizations serving individuals near Rockland Trust locations in:

Massachusetts: Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, Worcester
New Hampshire: Hillsborough, Rockingham
Rhode Island: Statewide

Timeline

Program opens: January 1
Rolling review year-round
Apply at least 6 weeks before event publicity deadline
Decisions issued within 4–6 weeks

II. Grant Requests

Purpose

Provides programmatic and general operating support to eligible nonprofits aligned with Rockland Trust’s priority focus areas.

Eligibility

Must be a 501(c)(3) public charity in good standing (or use a qualified fiscal sponsor)
Must be headquartered in and serve eligible geographies

Not Eligible
Includes (but not limited to):

Capital projects
Annual fund drives
Organizations less than 12 months old
Single-disease research or national organizations
Government agencies or municipal departments
Individual public schools
Individuals or families

Grant Focus Areas

Rockland Trust prioritizes organizations serving majority low-to-moderate income populations in the following areas:

Affordable Housing

Housing development
Emergency home repairs
Rental assistance
Homebuyer education
Foreclosure prevention
Homeless and domestic violence shelters

Youth
Preventive programs supporting youth opportunity, health, and development, including:

Early childhood education
Mental and behavioral health
After-school and mentoring programs
Literacy, tutoring, and college/career readiness

Financial Education

Financial literacy, budgeting, credit building, and debt reduction

Small Business Support

Entrepreneurship and small business development

Workforce Development

ESL and adult education
Job training, preparation, and placement

Grant Funding & Timeline

Average Grant: $5,000
Typical Range: $2,500 – $10,000+
Grants above $10,000 or multi-year awards require a signed agreement
Applications reviewed on a rolling basis
Program closes: October 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
Decisions issued within 6–12 weeks

How to Apply

All requests must be submitted through Rockland Trust’s online Community Giving portal, which begins with eligibility questions to ensure applicants are routed to the correct program.

Apply / Learn More:
➡️ https://www.rocklandtrust.com/about-us/explore/community-giving

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

Rockland Trust’s Community Giving Program is a strong fit for nonprofits that:

Serve communities in MA, NH, or RI where Rockland Trust operates
Focus on housing stability, youth opportunity, financial education, or workforce development
Are seeking event sponsorships or modest-to-mid-sized grants
Can demonstrate measurable community impact and geographic alignment

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Review Type: Rolling
Multiple Pathways: Event Sponsorships, Grants, Community Donations
Best Suited For: Community-based nonprofits serving low-to-moderate income populations in New England