R.S. Gernon Trust

/

OVERVIEW: The R.S. Gernon Trust supports education, health, and human services nonprofits in Norwich, Connecticut.

FUNDING AREAS: Education, health, human services

IP TAKE: Nonprofits outside of Norwich and in nearby parts of Connecticut occasionally see this funder’s support too for programs that serve underprivileged residents.

PROFILE: Established in 1975, the R.S. Gernon Trust is a private foundation in Connecticut. The founder established this trust to aid underserved populations in his home region. This foundation is managed by Bank of America’s Connecticut office. Grantmaking includes education, health, and human services.

This funder focuses on underserved populations and gives broadly in its areas of focus. However, the Gernon Trust has a narrow geographic focus and typically supports only causes in Norwich. This foundation does not typically provide capital project support to grantees. Past local support has gone to Big Brothers Big Sisters in Hartford, Furniture Bank of Southeast Connecticut, Martin House of Eastern Connecticut, and the Norwich Housing Authority.

Foundation grants are often $3,000 to $6,000 each. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking is very focused on the city of Norwich, Connecticut. However, other grantees have been based in the Connecticut cities of Hartford, Old Lyme, Quaker Hill, and New London. The funder usually provides single-year support, but it occasionally considers multi-year grant requests as well. However, it does not provide support to grantees for more than three consecutive years.

This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. The annual application deadline is August 15, and applicants can expect to hear back with a funding decision within about two to three months after this date by letter. Grantseekers must use the Bank of America online system to apply for a grant. Direct general questions to the staff at ct.grantmaking@ustrust.com or 860-244-4870.

PEOPLE:

Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).

LINK: