Excellence In the Arts Grant

The Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation’s Excellence in the Arts Grant Program supports high-quality, mission-aligned artistic experiences within Hartford County, Connecticut. Rooted in the foundation’s long-standing commitment to the cultural vitality of Hartford, the program is designed to sustain and elevate the arts for the benefit of the entire community. The foundation is particularly interested in funding exceptional aesthetic experiences that celebrate and uplift the human spirit. The Excellence in the Arts grant is open to 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organizations located in or primarily serving Hartford County. Priority is given to organizations based in Hartford, Bloomfield, East Hartford, Farmington, New Britain, Newington, South Windsor, West Hartford, Wethersfield, and Windsor. Organizations in adjacent towns may also be considered but should consult with the executive director before applying. Applicants are limited to one application per calendar year, and a final report must be submitted for any previous grant before applying again. Grants are reviewed on a quarterly basis, with 2025 application deadlines on February 3, May 1, August 1, and November 3. Corresponding board meetings occur on March 11, June 17, September 16, and December 19, with notifications following soon after. Projects must not be underway or occurring within 90 days of the application deadline to be eligible. Applications must be submitted via the foundation’s online portal; mailed or emailed submissions will not be considered. Grant requests must not exceed $25,000 without prior communication with the executive director. For large requests, a one- to two-page summary may be required before a full proposal is submitted. All new applicants may be subject to a site visit. The foundation will not fund endowments, general operating costs, scholarships, individuals, completed or underway projects, events occurring within 90 days, or proposals from public schools or their foundations. Applicants must respond to a series of questions addressing their mission, artistic definition and alignment, marketing and recognition plans, and community impact. Required attachments include IRS verification, financial statements, organizational and project budgets, a board list, and possibly an annual report or strategic plan. For current grantees applying for $5,000 or less, several financial documents are not required unless significant organizational changes have occurred. In keeping with its Visual Artist Compensation Policy, the foundation now requires all applicants featuring visual artists to disclose how those artists will be compensated. The foundation encourages directing funds specifically toward fair artist compensation to improve the quality and integrity of funded work. Grant recipients are expected to complete projects within 12 months of receiving funds and must submit a final report detailing outcomes and attaching final budget-to-actuals documentation. No new applications will be accepted until the prior report is submitted.