Apply for a Grant

Organizations must meet the following criteria to be eligible for a Norton Trust Grant:

• Organizations based in Plainville, Connecticut, with federal tax-exempt status (501(c)(3). If the nonprofit organization does not have federal tax-exempt status, a prospective applicant may apply through an eligible nonprofit and federal tax-exempt organization which agrees to be the legal Applicant/Fiscal Agent for the grant activity.
• Nonprofit organizations in communities bordering Plainville may be eligible if the project substantially benefits Plainville residents.
• Organizations part of the Plainville Community Schools. (Note: The Superintendent of Schools must review the application and co-sign as an applicant.)
• Organizations must be considered in good standing with the Elizabeth H. Norton Trust, including but not limited to submitting a Final Report for any previously funded Norton Trust Grant.
• Previous Grant Recipients

Previous Grant Recipients

Organizations with an outstanding Final Report for a previously funded Norton Trust Grant are not eligible to apply for the following two calendar years.

For organizations that have received a Norton Trust Grant in the previous grant cycle, the Grant Utilization Report must be submitted no later than September 30th to remain eligible for future grant consideration.

Norton Trust Grants are intended to support program costs, including direct expenses that are essential to carrying out the proposed project.

When considering applications, the Trust looks for projects that:

• Address a demonstrated community need;
• Benefit residents of Plainville and/or surrounding communities;
• Advance the applicant organization's mission;
• Have clearly defined goals and anticipated outcomes; and
• Present a clear and reasonable project budget.

The Trust encourages organizations to clearly explain what the project will accomplish and who will benefit.

Norton Trust Grants do not fund:

• Expenses that occur prior to or after the project’s start and end dates.
• Deficit and debt reduction
• General operating expenses, including salaries (a visiting lecturer/artist fee may be part of the request)
• Projects or activities presented in the context of a religious service or event. Faith-based organizations may submit applications if the project meets Norton Trust guidelines and serves a broad segment of the population.
• Lobbying and Political activities
• “Brick and mortar” private capital development

A visiting lecturer or artist fee may be considered when it is a direct component of an eligible program.

Faith-based organizations may apply when the proposed project meets Norton Trust guidelines and serves a broad segment of the population.

A complete grant application package must include:

1.  Completed and Signed Application

The application asks organizations to provide information about:

• The organization and its mission;
• The proposed project;
• The amount requested;
• How the project advances the organization's mission;
• How the project will benefit Plainville and surrounding communities;
• Project start and end dates; and
• Anticipated outcomes.

2.  IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter

Applicants must provide a copy of their IRS determination letter verifying federal tax-exempt status. If an organization is applying through another nonprofit organization serving as its legal applicant/fiscal agent, the fiscal agent's 501(c)(3) determination letter must be included.

3.  Project Budget

A proposed project budget must be submitted with the application and should clearly identify the expenses associated with the proposed project.

The project's budget should provide a clear picture of the costs necessary to carry out the proposed project and should support the amount requested from the Norton Trust.

The budget should include:

• A list of anticipated project expenses, with each expense identified separately.
• The estimated cost for each expense.
• The total project cost.
• The amount requested from the Norton Trust.
• Other funding sources, if applicable, including contributions from the organization, other grants, donations, or other anticipated revenue.

The budget should reflect only expenses associated with the proposed project. Norton Trust Grants are intended for program costs and direct expenses essential to the project and cannot be used for general operating expenses, deficits or debt reduction, or expenses incurred outside the project's approved start and end dates.

Applicants should ensure that the amount requested from the Trust is clearly identified and that the budget demonstrates how the requested funds will be used.

If other funding has already been secured or is anticipated, applicants should identify those sources in the project budget.

Tip: The budget should tell the same story as the application. The expenses listed should directly relate to the proposed project, its activities, and the outcomes described in the application.