The American Savings Foundation is a broad-based funder with a special emphasis on the needs of children, youth and families. Their three priorities areas are education, human services and arts & culture in the regions of New Britain and Waterbury.
The Foundation's grant program has broad goals centered around support for Education, Human Services, and Arts & Culture, targeting programs that directly benefit those in highest need and where the foundation's contributions can have a measurable impact. Specific causes include high-quality after school programs in New Britain, with a secondary focus on Waterbury. These programs are expected to run typically 3-5 days a week, incorporate best-practice standards, and result in better academic outcomes and increased youth engagement. Essential elements of funded programs include consistent participation, hands-on project-based learning, daily homework help, and enrichment activities focusing on skills building. The foundation seeks to fund programs that are broad in outreach, developmentally and culturally relevant, with clear outcomes for youth and methods to measure progress.