Basic Human Needs Emergency Assistance Grant

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has announced the second round of its Basic Human Needs Emergency Assistance Grants for 2025. This initiative continues the Foundation’s longstanding commitment to increasing economic and social mobility, ensuring food security, and addressing critical human needs in Greater Hartford. The Foundation’s goal is to foster vibrant, resilient, and inclusive communities by supporting nonprofit organizations and community groups that offer direct emergency services and immediate aid to vulnerable residents. This grant opportunity is specifically designed to address urgent needs including food and nutritional support, personal care items, emergency financial assistance, medical aid, and informal case management services. In particular, this round places a high priority on addressing food insecurity, given ongoing regional and national challenges such as inflation and the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Foundation encourages projects that serve all members of the general public, with preference for programs that offer goods and services to any individual seeking help, regardless of background or circumstance. Applicants may request between $1,000 and $20,000 for single-organization proposals. Collaborative projects, involving multiple organizations or service sites, may request up to $30,000. Funding will support activities and services delivered within a one-year period. Grants will be awarded biannually, with the current Round 2 open from July 22, 2025, through August 26, 2025. Applicants may submit one proposal per round but may only receive one grant per calendar year. Additionally, organizations that received a Round 1 grant are not eligible to receive another in Round 2. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or community groups with a fiscal sponsor. Applicants must have been operating for at least one year prior to submission. Core support grantees and project/program grant recipients receiving $50,000 or more from the Foundation are ineligible for this opportunity. The Foundation has implemented a “three years on, one year off” rule for larger organizations (operating budgets of $2.5 million or more), though exceptions may apply for those with a core mission to improve food security. Fiscal sponsors are not restricted by this limitation. Applicants must serve communities within the Foundation’s service area. Preference will be given to applicants operating in towns where the proportion of Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, and Employed (ALICE) households equals or exceeds the statewide percentage. A rubric is available for applicants to understand how their proposals will be evaluated. Grantees are expected to report on the types of services and goods delivered, the number of people served, and emerging community trends observed through their work. For assistance with project fit or application-related questions, applicants are encouraged to contact Susan Hills, Community Impact Manager, via email at shills@hfpg.org or by phone at 860-339-3565. Technical assistance with the online application can be directed to grantsadministration@hfpg.org. The Foundation is also offering 30-minute telephone consultations, which can be scheduled via a designated sign-up link on their website. All applications for Round 2 must be submitted by August 26, 2025, and awards will be announced by late November.