Back to all articles

Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation: 25 Years of Giving

June 10, 2025

25 Years of Giving Back: Celebrating a Milestone with the Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation.

This June, the Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation proudly celebrates its 25th anniversary—an enduring testament to our deep-rooted commitment to serving the communities we call home. Since its founding in 2000, the foundation has become a cornerstone of the bank’s mission to make a meaningful, lasting impact on the lives of individuals and families across our branch towns.

As part of our 25th anniversary celebration, the foundation awarded $250,000 in special grants to 50 nonprofit organizations that embody our mission of strengthening local communities. These grants not only recognize the incredible work being done across our footprint but serve to deepen our support for causes that address critical needs—from food insecurity and affordable housing to youth development, education, and mental health services.

25th Anniversary Grant Recipients

By directing funding to these organizations, we’re investing in long-term, grassroots solutions led by people who know their communities best. This initiative reflects our continued commitment to building stronger, more resilient neighborhoods—together.

“This isn’t just about celebrating 25 years of giving—it’s about recommitting to the values that got us here: listening first, acting locally, and supporting the people and organizations who know our communities best,” said Mike Kuza, president of the Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation.

The idea for the foundation was born out of a natural evolution of the bank’s community efforts. From the very beginning, our goal was to support the community not just in good times, but in all times. That guiding principle led to the creation of a foundation that could give independently of the bank’s financial performance or the broader economic climate. Our original intent was not to focus on one single cause, but instead to remain flexible and responsive. In our first grant cycle in 2001, we focused exclusively on education. By 2003, the scope expanded to include educational opportunities, capacity building, and community development. Over the years, our programs have continued to evolve to meet emerging needs, with a consistent focus on serving low- to moderate-income and at-risk populations.

The impact of the foundation over the last 25 years has been far-reaching. We have awarded over $17 million in grants to local nonprofit organizations working across a wide range of sectors, from education and basic human services to public safety and emergency relief. The foundation has also provided more than $700,000 in scholarships to college-bound high school seniors throughout the region.

Throughout the years, the foundation has responded not only to long-term needs but to moments of crisis and change:

2018 – Awarded $1.2 million in grants to education foundations across each of our branch towns).
2019 – Delivered a community gift exceeding $1 million to support local senior centers, councils on aging, food pantries, and libraries.
Early 2020 – Granted $460,000 to local police and fire departments to enhance public safety efforts.
2020 (COVID-19 pandemic) – Pledged over $1 million in emergency relief, shifting quickly from standard grant programs to meet nonprofits’ urgent operational needs.

Thank you to all who have been part of this journey—from our local nonprofits and community leaders to our customers and employees. We are proud of the work we’ve done together and excited for what lies ahead. Here’s to the next 25 years of giving back—stronger, wiser, and more committed than ever.