Washington Trust Charitable Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Washington Trust Charitable Foundation is the charitable foundation of the Washington Trust bank and supports a wide variety of human services, health, education, housing, education, and environmental causes in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.

FUNDING AREAS: Affordable housing and revitalization programs, business and economic development, youth and family services, hospitals and health and human services organizations, museums and arts and cultural organizations, colleges and universities, libraries, conservation and environmental groups

IP TAKE: This foundation regularly provides support for capital campaigns, building or repair projects, and multi-year support. The foundation focuses its grantmaking on Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Southeastern Connecticut in a wide range of interest areas.

PROFILE: The Washington Trust Charitable Foundation (WTCF) is the grantmaking arm of Washington Trust, which is the oldest community bank in the U.S. Founded in 1800, the bank is headquartered in Rhode Island.  In these states, the bank provides commercial banking, mortgage banking, personal banking, and wealth management and trust services. WTCF supports affordable housing and revitalization programs, business and economic development, youth and family services, hospitals and health and human services organizations, museums and arts and cultural organizations, colleges and universities, libraries, and conservation and environmental groups.

This is a corporate funder that often provide multi-year grants and capital funding to build new structures and repair existing facilities. Affordable housing is a big priority for this funder, with support going to Rhode Island Housing and Habitat for Humanity. The foundation and its employees are also big supporters of the local chapters of the United Way.

The grant amounts from WTCF vary widely from one grantee to another. The largest grants are typically for capital campaigns. In addition to grants, the Washington Trust Company also provides two $5,000 scholarships to local students attending Providence College, Bryant University, and the University of Rhode Island. The funder provides sponsorships for road races, festivals, and concerts as well. An estimated 85 percent of Washington Trust employees each year. The bank launched a Peanut Butter Drive in 2001 as a hunger-fighting effort in Rhode Island, and it also hosts a free community shred day and a statewide beach cleanup effort.

The foundation does not provide official grant application forms on its website but rather simply requests that all charitable requests be sent to Dennis Algiere, the senior vice president, chief compliance officer, and director of community affairs for the Washington Trust Company. Mail these requests to the foundation’s Westerly, Rhode Island office. Direct general inquiries to 800-475-2265 or info@washtrust.com.

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