Catalyst Fund

The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain (CFGNB) has announced its 2025 Catalyst Fund Request for Proposal (RFP), focusing on initiatives that support unhoused populations in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville, and Southington. This opportunity offers a single grant award of up to $20,000 to one community-based 501(c)(3) organization, to be disbursed in November 2025. Catalyst is a donor-driven giving circle affiliated with CFGNB, established to improve the quality of life in the four designated towns. Each year, Catalyst members identify a thematic focus area and select one grantee for targeted support aligned with that priority. Funding from the Catalyst Fund is independent and does not exclude applicants from other CFGNB grants or the Community Response Grant program. The primary objective of the 2025 RFP is to fund a proven or promising prevention or intervention strategy that addresses homelessness within the Foundation’s geographic service area. The Foundation is particularly interested in proposals that fill service gaps or enhance existing efforts and demonstrate a strong plan for sustainability. Proposed activities may include focused rehousing interventions for unsheltered individuals, eviction prevention services, outreach to at-risk individuals, landlord engagement strategies, support services that promote housing retention, or expansion of shelter and outreach options that reduce health risks and promote faster access to housing navigation. Applicants are encouraged to propose specific and measurable interventions with expected outcomes to be achieved within a six- to twelve-month timeframe. Strong proposals will ideally demonstrate collaboration with other community actors, including municipalities, housing authorities, landlords, and health service providers. Metrics such as the number of individuals housed, prevented from becoming homeless, or retaining housing will be used to assess the impact of the program. To be eligible, applicants must be nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status and must demonstrate a successful track record of providing homelessness-related services. The proposal must describe how the intervention aligns with Catalyst's goals and explain how it will improve outcomes beyond service delivery—specifically in advancing long-term housing stability. A total of one award will be made under this RFP. The application process requires submission of a five-page proposal that follows the guidelines provided in the RFP document. Required sections include organizational information, experience with the target population, project description, evidence or rationale for the proposed strategy, partnerships, implementation risks, impact measurement, project timeline, and sustainability plan. In addition to the proposal, applicants must submit a project budget, IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter, and a signed Certificate of Non-Discrimination. Proposals must be submitted via email to jwruck@cfgnb.org by Friday, August 15, 2025. A select number of applicants may be invited to present their proposal at the Catalyst Fund evening meeting on September 17, 2025. The final funding decision will be announced in November 2025. For questions or further information, applicants are encouraged to contact Joeline Wruck, Director of Community Grants & Initiatives, at jwruck@cfgnb.org or 860-229-6018 x307.

Strong proposals include measurable impact, collaborations, and a sustainability plan.