The NSTAR Foundation represents a commitment to improving the lives of those in our service territory. The Foundation will marshal available resources of funds, manpower, goods and services to positively address local, high-priority concerns and needs that also mesh with Foundation priorities and guidelines
Focus
The Foundation's primary focus will be on the prudent
investment of our available resources in programs in the
area of Youth Development (with particular emphasis on
after-school programs designed to improve student’s
opportunities for educational advancement and future career
success).
In addition, consideration will be given in certain instances to grants to organizations outside this category, which broadly serve NSTAR's employees, shareholders, customers and other constituencies. The Foundation also matches, within established limits, gifts by NSTAR employees, retirees and directors in support of cultural, human service and educational organizations.
Consideration Criteria
NSTAR takes the following into consideration when
determining if an organization is eligible for support from
the Foundation:
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Tax Status - An organization must have IRS 501(c)3 status
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Geographic Location - The program should directly serve the needs of NSTAR communities.
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Strategy - The program must have measurable goals and objectives that relate to an important area of Foundation concern and a realistic strategy for achieving those goals, i.e., other potential sources of income, sufficient staff to handle the program along with regular activities. The Foundation encourages the collaboration of community agency programs in order to leverage existing funds.
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Visibility - The program must provide NSTAR with significant recognition for its involvement in the community.
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Employee Involvement - Volunteer involvement is an important part of the NSTAR Foundation giving strategy. Opportunities for NSTAR employee involvement are an important consideration.
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Specific Project - To insure that our contribution is used to positively impact a particular need, we prefer to support specific projects rather than general operations. We discourage unsolicited requests and focus on those projects identified by NSTAR employees.
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Impact - A contribution of our limited resources should have the potential to generate a positive effect on an important community concern.
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Need - A proposal should clearly illustrate that there is a demonstrated need for the program and that it is not duplicating an existing effort. Additionally, the program should serve a broad constituency of the community.
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Future Considerations - Foundation support is not guaranteed beyond the year in which the contribution is made. Therefore, it is very important to show provisions have been made for attracting continued financial support for the program after Foundation support is withdrawn.
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Long-Term Impact - A project should provide a long-term solution to a particular issue and not act as simply a band-aid measure.
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Exclusions – Contributions will not be made to or for:
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Individuals
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Political candidates
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Fraternal and labor organizations
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Athletic teams
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Organizations that discriminate for any reason
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The general funds of public institutions or agencies
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Religious organizations (exclusive of social service activities)
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Group travel expenses
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Please note, The Foundation does not typically support capital campaigns (building as well as renovation), conferences or symposiums and programs receiving substantial support from others. The Foundation also severely limits its consideration of contributions to third party organizations, preferring to support direct program grants. The Foundation reserves the right to audit any grant to ensure compliance.
Application Procedures
All proposals should be submitted on a fully completed
Common Proposal Form (available on the
Associated Grantmakers of Massachusetts web site).
Proposals will be assessed upon receipt; therefore, there are no formal deadlines. The NSTAR Foundation reserves the right to reject unsolicited requests.
Completed forms can be sent to:
The NSTAR Foundation
One NSTAR Way
SW300
Westwood MA 02090
For more information, you can also call the Foundation at 781-441-3587.
