Women & Girls Pathways to Economic Security Program

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven administers the Community Fund for Women & Girls Pathways to Economic Security Program. This program offers grant funding to nonprofit organizations serving the Greater New Haven area, particularly those providing services to women, including individuals who identify as cisgender, transgender, or nonbinary. The program supports initiatives that aim to enhance women’s economic security through workforce participation, entrepreneurship, housing stability, and innovative childcare solutions. The Pathways to Economic Security grants provide funding up to $15,000 for eligible nonprofits. Grants are intended to support women’s workforce training and employment programs, services assisting women entrepreneurs, programs that promote housing stability for women, and innovative childcare initiatives designed to help working families. Examples of desired outcomes include increased workforce participation, improved housing stability, strengthened woman-owned businesses, and expanded access to childcare. Eligible applicants must meet The Community Foundation’s general eligibility criteria. Applicants must be tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) or have a qualified nonprofit fiscal sponsor. Preference is given to local nonprofit organizations serving the 20-town Greater New Haven region, which includes Ansonia, Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, Derby, East Haven, North Branford, North Haven, West Haven, Oxford, New Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Milford, Seymour, Shelton, Wallingford, Orange, and Woodbridge. Applicants must also adhere to applicable local, state, and federal anti-discrimination laws. The application process is competitive, and the deadline to apply is Monday, March 31, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions during the week of May 19, 2025. Funding requests must be submitted through the Foundation’s online application portal. The Foundation’s general funding policies also apply to this program, meaning requests for activities such as religious programming, endowment campaigns, previously incurred expenses, and funding deficits are not eligible for support. Individual applicants are ineligible unless applying through specific programs like the New Haven Neighborhood Leadership Program or academic scholarships. Projects that involve partnerships must identify a lead agency with the appropriate tax status and financial management capacity. Applicants seeking further information can contact Kara at the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven for assistance. The primary contact number is 203-777-2386, and the Foundation’s office is located at 70 Audubon Street, New Haven, CT 06510.