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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

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