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Dime Foundation

A helping hand for organizations that give our communities a lift

Download Application Download Post-Grant Report

Mission

In 1998, Dime Bank established The Dime Foundation, enabling us to further our bank's mission of supporting and giving back to the communities we serve. We strive to improve the well-being and quality of life for members of our communities by funding organizations or programs that provide, strengthen, or enhance service to individuals.

About Us

  • The foundation has three grant cycles per year. The grant application can be downloaded here.
  • Grant applications for 2026 are due on March 3, June 3, and September 9. 
  • A post-grant report is required within one year of receiving grant funding, and prior to submitting a new grant application. The post-grant report can be downloaded here.
  • For more information, call Dee Sullivan at 860-859-4300, or email [email protected].

Eligibility

Grants are awarded to:

  • Organizations that are recognized as exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501( c )(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and governmental units referred to in Section 170( c )(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.
  • Organizations that primarily serve the residents of New London County, the towns of Glastonbury, Manchester, Vernon, East Hartford, and Marlborough, CT, and the towns of Westerly, Hopkinton and Richmond, RI.
  • Funding is generally not provided to fund-raising or capital campaigns; foundations or organizations that fund other organizations; political or fraternal organizations; religious institutions; parent-run organizations (such as Parent-Teacher Organizations or Little League)

Priorities

Our funding priorities are focused on projects and organizations that support the following:

  • Affordable housing
  • Basic human services for those considered most at-risk
  • Development/education, job training, or promotion of literacy, especially programs that encourage self-sufficiency
  • Opportunities for collaborative efforts
  • Services to at-risk or under-served children, families or the elderly, with emphasis on low/moderate income levels

Recent Recipients

Organization

Project

Camp Courant Incorporated

Camp Courant's Early Learning Program.

Care and Share of East Lyme, Inc.

Purchase of food for the fully functioning food pantry.

Community Health Resources (CHR)

Homeless Diversion program.

Connecticut Oral Health Initiative

Senior Smiles Program.

Connecticut Science Center

Science in Motion traveling classroom programs to Groton and New London public schools.

East Lyme Giving Garden

Fresh vegetables from the garden for those in need.

Frank Olean Center

Health care program for individuals with I/DD.

Glenbrooke Outdoor Sports Center, Inc.

Free swim lessons to children from qualifying households.

Haitian Community Center of Greater Norwich

Roots & Futures, a comprehensive youth development program.

Healing Therapies Thru Sharing

Supportive Oncology Services.

Historically Black College Alumni, Inc.

HBCA's College Prep program.

Madonna Place, Inc

Funding for the operating costs of the three main programs.

Norwich Housing Authority

Partial funding for the cost of providing a part-time Resident Services Coordinator.

Reliance Health, Inc.

Supportive 2 Housing Program.

RI Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner - Westerly Education Center

Career Exposure Day for high school students in southern RI and SE CT.

Safe Futures

Counseling & Advocacy Program.

Save the Bay

Narrangansett Bay Field Studies program for Westerly High School students.

Special Olympics Connecticut

2026 Fall Sports Festival/Sailing Regatta.  

Thames River Community Service

Economic Security and Housing Stability Program.

Thames Valley Council for Community Action, Inc.

Emergency Client Assistance Fund. 

United Way of Southeastern Connecticut

Support for the Food Center and mobile food pantry.

Winning Ways

The Winning Circle Series: Financial Literacy Sessions. 

The Furniture Bank

Purchase of beds for families in Southeastern CT.