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Partner

Giving back to our community.

Big ideas, small moments, and everything in between—we back the things that bring people together.

At Bay State Bank, we believe in fostering vibrant, thriving communities throughout Worcester County. Our sponsorship program is committed to supporting local organizations that contribute to community development, promote arts and culture, empower individuals through financial literacy, and enhance health and human services. While we receive a high volume of requests for support, we carefully evaluate each proposal based on our guidelines below.

Funding decisions are guided by our available resources and how well proposals align with Bay State Bank’s priorities. Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis, and applicants will receive notification via email regarding the outcome of their requests.

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Partnership Opportunities

Community Sponsorships

Eligibility

Eligibility

To be eligible for sponsorship, organizations must be:

  • Based in or primarily serve the Worcester County area.
  • A client of Bay State Bank.

Priorities

Priorities

Bay State Bank is particularly interested in sponsoring initiatives that:

  • Promote community development and enhance the overall quality of life in our neighborhoods.
  • Foster and support arts and cultural programs that enrich our community’s diverse fabric.
  • Provide financial empowerment activities, such as financial literacy workshops and capability-building initiatives.
  • Enhance health and human services, with a focus on improving well-being and providing resources for those in need.

Limitations

Limitations

Bay State Bank will consider only one application per year from any single organization. Organizations that have received a charitable contribution or sponsorship from us within the current calendar year are not eligible for additional funding until the following year. This encourages sustained engagement with a diverse array of funding sources.

We typically do not support:

  • Political, fraternal, or lobbying organizations.
  • Religious institutions and private foundations.
  • Individual requests or third-party fundraising efforts.
  • Programs that support adult clubs, teams, or associations.
  • Scholarships, camperships, and capital campaigns.
  • Advertising, incentive programs, or funding for conferences.

How to Apply

How to Apply

Organizations interested in securing sponsorship from Bay State Bank must complete our online application form. Not- for-profit (501(c)(3)) entities seeking non- sponsored funding should utilize our designated community donations application.

Getting Started

Getting Started

Submit a completed online application along with any required documentation and allow at least 45 days for a response before your event or sponsorship deadline to facilitate our review process.

Organization*
Organization Name
Tax ID/EIN
Organization Type
Website
Yes No
Does your organization bank with us?
MORE

Eligibility

To be eligible for sponsorship, organizations must be:

  • Based in or primarily serve the Worcester County area.
  • A client of Bay State Bank.

Priorities

Bay State Bank is particularly interested in sponsoring initiatives that:

  • Promote community development and enhance the overall quality of life in our neighborhoods.
  • Foster and support arts and cultural programs that enrich our community’s diverse fabric.
  • Provide financial empowerment activities, such as financial literacy workshops and capability-building initiatives.
  • Enhance health and human services, with a focus on improving well-being and providing resources for those in need.

Limitations

Bay State Bank will consider only one application per year from any single organization. Organizations that have received a charitable contribution or sponsorship from us within the current calendar year are not eligible for additional funding until the following year. This encourages sustained engagement with a diverse array of funding sources.

We typically do not support:

  • Political, fraternal, or lobbying organizations.
  • Religious institutions and private foundations.
  • Individual requests or third-party fundraising efforts.
  • Programs that support adult clubs, teams, or associations.
  • Scholarships, camperships, and capital campaigns.
  • Advertising, incentive programs, or funding for conferences.

How to Apply

Organizations interested in securing sponsorship from Bay State Bank must complete our online application form. Not- for-profit (501(c)(3)) entities seeking non- sponsored funding should utilize our designated community donations application.

Getting Started

Submit a completed online application along with any required documentation and allow at least 45 days for a response before your event or sponsorship deadline to facilitate our review process.

Organization*
Organization Name
Tax ID/EIN
Organization Type
Website
Yes No
Does your organization bank with us?
MORE

Scholarships

Awards

Awards

  • 4 scholarships will be awarded to students from Worcester.
  • 1 scholarship each will be awarded to students from Shrewsbury, Auburn, and Holden.

Eligibility

Eligibility

  • Be a high school senior, high school graduate, or GED recipient (current college undergraduates are not eligible).
  • Reside in Worcester, Shrewsbury, Auburn, or Holden, MA.
  • Plan to enroll in part-time or full-time undergraduate study for the first time at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school during the next academic year.
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale

Priorities

Priorities

Applications will be evaluated based on:

  • Financial need.
  • Academic performance.
  • Participation in school and community activities.
  • Unusual personal or family circumstances.

Renewability

Renewability

Scholarships are renewable for up to three additional years (or until a bachelor’s degree is earned), contingent on the student’s continued enrollment and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Getting Started

Getting Started

Submit a completed online application along with any required documentation by May 31st.

Name*
First Name
M.I.
Last Name
Address*
Street Address
Address Line 2
City
State
MORE

Awards

  • 4 scholarships will be awarded to students from Worcester.
  • 1 scholarship each will be awarded to students from Shrewsbury, Auburn, and Holden.

Eligibility

  • Be a high school senior, high school graduate, or GED recipient (current college undergraduates are not eligible).
  • Reside in Worcester, Shrewsbury, Auburn, or Holden, MA.
  • Plan to enroll in part-time or full-time undergraduate study for the first time at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school during the next academic year.
  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale

Priorities

Applications will be evaluated based on:

  • Financial need.
  • Academic performance.
  • Participation in school and community activities.
  • Unusual personal or family circumstances.

Renewability

Scholarships are renewable for up to three additional years (or until a bachelor’s degree is earned), contingent on the student’s continued enrollment and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Getting Started

Submit a completed online application along with any required documentation by May 31st.

Name*
First Name
M.I.
Last Name
Address*
Street Address
Address Line 2
City
State
MORE

Charitable Donations

Grant Details

Grant Details

  • Funding requests ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 will be considered.
  • Only one request per organization will be considered within a calendar year.

Eligibility

Eligibility

Funding is available to organizations that:

  • Are not-for-profit and tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.
  • Serve communities within Bay State Bank’s designated service areas.

Limitations

Limitations

The Foundation does not provide funding for:

  • Individuals.
  • Political organizations or candidates. Religious institutions.
  • Fraternal organizations.
  • Employment unions.
  • Fully tax-supported entities (such as public schools or libraries.)
  • Capital campaigns
  • Event-specific sponsorships (these requests must be submitted through the Community Sponsorships application process.)

Getting Started

Getting Started

All requests must be submitted through our online application form.
Mailed or emailed requests will not be accepted and will not be considered for review.

  • Community Donations are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year.
  • Applicants will receive funding decisions within 6–8 weeks of submission.
Organization General Information*
Legal Name of Organization
Incorporation Date
Email for principal contact
Fax
MORE

Grant Details

  • Funding requests ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 will be considered.
  • Only one request per organization will be considered within a calendar year.

Eligibility

Funding is available to organizations that:

  • Are not-for-profit and tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.
  • Serve communities within Bay State Bank’s designated service areas.

Limitations

The Foundation does not provide funding for:

  • Individuals.
  • Political organizations or candidates. Religious institutions.
  • Fraternal organizations.
  • Employment unions.
  • Fully tax-supported entities (such as public schools or libraries.)
  • Capital campaigns
  • Event-specific sponsorships (these requests must be submitted through the Community Sponsorships application process.)

Getting Started

All requests must be submitted through our online application form.
Mailed or emailed requests will not be accepted and will not be considered for review.

  • Community Donations are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year.
  • Applicants will receive funding decisions within 6–8 weeks of submission.
Organization General Information*
Legal Name of Organization
Incorporation Date
Email for principal contact
Fax
MORE

Community Support

Volunteering

Volunteering

We welcome requests for volunteer support at events and community-based projects such as:

  • Donation Drives
  • Community Clean-Ups
  • Local Events & Festivals
  • Benjie Appearances

Getting Started

Getting Started

All volunteer support requests must be submitted online. To help us plan effectively, please submit requests at least 6 weeks in advance of your event or project date.

Contact Information*
First Name
Last Name
Email
Phone
MORE

Volunteering

We welcome requests for volunteer support at events and community-based projects such as:

  • Donation Drives
  • Community Clean-Ups
  • Local Events & Festivals
  • Benjie Appearances

Getting Started

All volunteer support requests must be submitted online. To help us plan effectively, please submit requests at least 6 weeks in advance of your event or project date.

Contact Information*
First Name
Last Name
Email
Phone
MORE