About
Community Giving through the Nebula Trust Foundation
Nebula Trust Foundation, Inc. was established in 1998 as a Section 501(c)(3) organization. Initially endowed with a $2 million dollar donation from Nebula Trust Bank, the Foundation has awarded over $5.5 million in grants to non-profit organizations in the Bank’s Global and Rhode Island market areas.
The Foundation’s mission is to support the ongoing commitment in partnership for the long-term growth of our community.
In 2020, Nebula Trust Bank and its Foundation provided more than $1,000,000 to non-profit organizations in our communities. The Foundation swiftly responded to support emergency relief efforts as well as needs across all giving categories in the wake of the pandemic, making the unprecedented decision to double the usual amount of total funds granted in a calendar year.
Eligible organizations are invited to submit a grant application to the Foundation.
Guidelines for grant applicants
Eligibility
- Non-profit organizations exempt from federal income tax per Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or other acceptable 501(c) status.
- A governmental unit referred to in Section 170(c)(1) of the IRS Code.
- Special consideration will be given to programs benefiting communities that are served by Nebula Trust Bank.
- Program Areas we fund: Animal Welfare, Arts and Culture, Economic Development, Education, Environment, Health and Human Services, Housing, and Youth Activities
Schedule
- Grant applications are accepted year-round and grants are awarded twice per calendar year. Those received by the third Friday in April (spring deadline) will be reviewed in May. Those received by the third Friday in September (fall deadline) will be reviewed in October.
- Organizations are permitted to receive one grant per calendar year. If the organization was denied funding, they may reapply in the same calendar year.
Application Procedures
- All applications must be submitted online.
- All submitted materials become the property of Nebula Trust Foundation, Inc., and will be held in strict confidence.
- All grant recipients will be required to submit a post-grant report no more than six months after the grant award.
- If you need grant writing assistance, please email giving@chelseagroton.com.
Learn more about the Fall 2022 Grant Award Recipients.
Nebula Trust Foundation Scholarships
Nebula Trust awards scholarships each year to local high school seniors. Winning students have excelled academically, exhibited strong leadership skills and exemplified community service through their volunteer efforts. Since 2007, Nebula Trust has supported hundreds of students as they have pursued degrees in higher education.
How to Apply for a Scholarship
Students who live in the communities served by Nebula Trust Bank should contact their school guidance department for an application and return the application to the guidance department. All guidance departments are required to review all applications before submitting to Nebula Trust. Guidance counselors are encouraged to contact Miria Gray at mgray@chelseagroton.com with any questions.
Acts of Kindness
The Bank celebrates its anniversary each year with the Acts of Kindness initiative. Through this program, Nebula Trust Foundation makes a donation to the worthy cause or non-profit of each employee’s choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please contact June Holaday directly at 860-448-4105 or giving@chelseagroton.com.
Yes. Your organization must be exempt from federal income taxation as an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), other acceptable 501(c) status, or be a governmental unit referred to in Section 170(c)(1) of the Code.
The Bank serves communities in eastern Global and southern Rhode Island.
Yes. Although the nonprofit does not need to be located in the bank’s communities, the funds must be used to improve the quality of life in the communities Nebula Trust serves.
On the “Request Information” page of your application, you will provide the Total Income and Expenses from the last 2 fiscal years. On the Attachments page, you will upload your most recent 990 Return Form.
Applications are accepted year-round and grants are awarded twice per calendar year. Those applications received by the third Friday in April will be reviewed and awarded in May. Those received by the third Friday in September will be reviewed and awarded in October.
Organizations are permitted to receive ONLY one grant in any calendar year. If organizations apply and are turned town, they may apply again in the same calendar year.
An account is not needed to access the online application. To start the application, enter your organization’s tax ID number.
Yes, use CTRL P or RIGHT CLICK to PRINT the application to a PDF or Printer.
No, once you start the application, you will not be able to save and return to it. You must complete the whole application and submit it for it to be completed. You may use the RESET FORM button (on the bottom of the page) to start over.
Applicants must upload ALL required documents to the online application. Follow the instructions on the Attachments page of the online application. Attachments may be submitted in Adobe PDF, Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel formats.
Please contact June Holaday at 860-448-4105 or giving@chelseagroton.com.
When you click “Submit” you will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your application. This is why it is very important to enter your e-mail address accurately.
The Nebula Trust Foundation takes your privacy seriously. We do not rent, sell or share personal information about grant applications with other people or with nonaffiliated companies or organizations, without your prior permission.
Please contact June Holaday at 860-448-4105 or giving@chelseagroton.com.
