Bolton Greater Together Community Fund

In 2019, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving established a $100,000 Greater Together Community Fund for the Town of Bolton. The Foundation's purpose in creating this fund was to support community members in taking ownership around the needs of their town, encourage broad and inclusive civic engagement, and anchor the Hartford Foundation in each of the 29 towns within its region. In 2025, the Foundation added an additional $50,000 to the Bolton fund to continue supporting community needs. This initiative exemplifies the Foundation’s mission to improve the lives of all residents by mobilizing human and financial resources throughout Connecticut’s Capitol Region. The Greater Together Community Fund for Bolton is designed to support projects that provide a beneficial impact to a sizable group of Bolton residents, address needs that cannot be funded through normal means, offer a likelihood of success based on project design, and provide ongoing benefits to the town’s residents. The funding scope allows for projects of up to $7,500. Applications must clearly demonstrate how proposed projects meet the outlined criteria and contribute to the well-being of the community. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations that are recognized as 501(c)(3) entities. Additionally, groups that partner with the Town of Bolton and utilize the town as a fiscal agent are also eligible to apply. This opens the opportunity to a wider range of community-driven initiatives and encourages partnerships between local government and grassroots organizations. Grant applications will be accepted starting June 1, 2025. The submission deadline for applications, including a budget, is Monday, October 6, 2025. Applications must be submitted via email to bolton@hfpgcommunityfunds.org. The review process will be conducted by the Bolton Greater Together Community Fund Committee, and applicants will be notified of their funding status by December 31, 2025. The awarded funds must be used for projects that are completed no later than December 31, 2026, and grantees are required to submit a final report with project photos upon completion. The application process includes downloading and completing the official application form provided by the Hartford Foundation. Applicants must also submit a detailed budget. The committee evaluates applications based on their potential to impact the Bolton community positively, the project’s sustainability and feasibility, and the ability to address unmet needs. While no specific list of application questions is provided in the source document, applicants should be prepared to address these key evaluation criteria within their proposals. For questions and concerns related to the application process, interested parties may contact the Bolton Greater Together Community Fund via email at bolton@hfpgcommunityfunds.org. Additionally, for more information about the fund or to express interest in joining the committee, potential applicants can reach out to Karen Hartenstein, Program Manager, at khartenstein@hfpg.org. Media inquiries should be directed to Chris Senecal at csenecal@hfpg.org. The fund also maintains a historical record of prior grant recipients from 2021 through 2024, showcasing its ongoing commitment to supporting initiatives that enhance life in Bolton.