People's United Community Foundation

In 2007, People’s United Bank established a $60 million charitable foundation, the People’s United Community Foundation, to help improve the quality of life for residents in the neighborhoods served by People’s United Bank.

PUCF January Update: 1/04/22

We are now accepting grant applications. The deadline to apply is February 4^th.

If your organization was scheduled to apply during the November 2021 grant application period that was postponed, you are encouraged to submit a grant request during our current open application period. The deadline to apply is Friday, February 4, 2022. Funding decisions for this grant cycle will be made by the end of March 2022.

If you are a past grant recipient, we encourage you to submit a final report with your grant application. You may upload an existing document that your organization has on your outcomes, or you can utilize our template. Progress updates that have been historically posted in our portal, are not required.

Our eligibility requirements, application process, and funding priorities have NOT changed. Please follow the guidelines that are outlined below. We have made a few minor adjustments to the application questions, solely with the goal to help simplify and minimize the information we require.

We appreciate your patience and understanding while we wait for federal regulatory approval on the merger with M&T Bank. Should we receive regulatory approval and the transaction close during our grant cycle period, please be assured that your application will continue to be processed and no further information or action will be required as a result.

Focus areas

People’s United Community Foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations that align with our primary areas of focus and giving priorities of economic stability, employment, education, and housing:

Aerial view of development construction converting former brick mill factory complex into community residential housing

Affordable Housing Development

People’s United Community Foundation supports programs that create affordable housing opportunities and the development and sustaining of safe, clean and desirable neighborhoods:

Nonprofit organizations that directly develop affordable housing or assist developers which create affordable housing, through rehabilitation, new construction and/or neighborhood revitalization efforts.
Community loan funds
State and national programs, operating within our footprint, that serve as developers of affordable housing
Supportive and transitional housing for homeless, low-income and those with disabilities or special needs
Closing costs and down-payment assistance programs
First-time homebuyer education
Homeownership counseling and foreclosure prevention programs

Community Development

People's United Community Foundation supports programs and services that address basic needs and encourage financial independence and self-sufficiency for low- to moderate-income residents; as well as activities which promote economic development in low-income neighborhoods. Funding priorities include:

Basic needs services

Initiatives that transition people from assistance to independence

Financial literacy Programs

Education, including ESL, certification and degree programs

Programs that promote economic stability and self-sufficiency

Small business development and entrepreneurial programs

Workforce development, job skills training and job placement programs

Young girl in pink shirt with black collar sitting in red chair at a school desk writing with yellow pencil

Youth Development

People’s United Community Foundation supports programs and services that address the need for educational improvement and academic advancement of children and youth, especially within low- to moderate- income communities and school districts.Funding priorities include:

Academic improvement and advancement programs

Accredited early childhood development, school readiness, and Headstart programs

College and SAT preparation programs

Career exploration and internship programs

ESL and literacy programs

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs

Eligibility guidelines

To be considered for a grant from People's United Community Foundation, organizations must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements:

Organization must be operating as a recognized 501(c)3 public charity for a minimum of 2 years.
Program/service for which funding is being requested must be operating for a minimum of 12 months and have demonstrated outcomes.
Must operate or serve individuals within the cities/towns where People's United Bank branches are located.
Grant request must fit within our three areas of focus and align with our giving priorities of economic stability, employment, education, and housing.

Ineligible List
For a list of programs, services, and organizations that do not meet our eligibility requirements, please review our Ineligible list.

United Way

People's United Community Foundation supports local United Ways across our footprint through the People's United Bank Employee Match Campaign. Due to this annual giving campaign, grant requests from United Way chapters are not accepted. We are proud of our support to our local United Way chapters, and our long-standing partnerships that have spanned more than 80 years.

Application guidelines

Organizations must also adhere to the following guidelines when submitting a grant application to People’s United Community Foundation:

Funding requests for programming and general operating support will be accepted. Please follow our guidelines for general operating support requests.
Minimum request amount is $2,500. Our average grant is $5,000.

Only one grant application will be accepted by an organization during a 12-month period.
Returning grantees should apply during the same grant cycle as previously applied or later.

Required Documentation

Most recent Audited Financial Statement, if applicable. (Subject to state laws and federal requirements)
Project and Organization Budget Summary (for funding request)

Form 990
Funding Sources Form

How to submit an application

All People’s United Community Foundation applications must be submitted online through our grant system. Paper applications are not accepted.

New and Returning Users:

First-time users are required to create an account. An account allows you to access your saved and submitted applications at any time. It also allows us to send you email confirmations and notifications regarding the status of your application and grantee requirements.

The deadline to apply is February 4, 2022. Decisions will be made by March 31, 2022.

APPLY NOW

RETURNING USERS

Access your account

To access saved and completed applications, and to submit grantee requirements, log into your account below
If you are looking to start a new application, click on the Apply Now button.

FIRST TIME APPLICANTS
Create an account

If you are a new user, you must first create an account.
After your account is created, navigate back to this page.
Click Apply Now to start an Application.

CREATE ACCOUNT

Download our guide for creating an account.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my organization is qualified for funding from People’s United Community Foundation?

Please thoroughly review the Application Guidelines, Eligibility Requirements and Ineligible List to evaluate organizational eligibility and grant request alignment with People’s United Community Foundation’s funding priorities. If you still have questions, please contact a Foundation representative.

How do I apply?

All applications must be submitted via the People’s United Community Foundation Online Application portal. We do not accept applications or materials through the mail. Please follow the procedures for first-time applicants and returning users .

How will I be notified on the status of my application?

All communication will be done via phone or email. Notifications regarding grant decisions will be directed to the primary contact/organization head listed on the application.

Questions or requests for more information may be directed to the organization head and/or project contact listed on the application.

How do I save an in-progress application so I can complete it at a later time?

Once in the application portal click “Save & Finish Later” which can be found at the bottom of the page.

Be sure to save your work often to ensure information is not lost.

An email will be sent from our grants management service provider from the email address: mail@grantapplication.com with a link to access and resume your application, along with a copy of the contents of your application.

You can also access your saved application by logging in to your account at www.portal.blackbaudoutcomes.com.

I forgot the password I created when I began my application. How can I find it?

You will need to reset your password. Click here to log into your account. You will be directed to the sign-in page, where you can request a new password.

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