Pride in the Hills Fund (LBGTQ+)

The Pride in the Hills Fund, established by the Connecticut Community Foundation, is dedicated to supporting, inspiring, and celebrating LGBTQ+ individuals within Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills. This initiative underscores the Foundation's commitment to fostering an equitable and inclusive community across its 21-town service area. The Fund offers grants to nonprofit organizations that provide services or support to LGBTQ+ communities in the specified regions. Emphasis is placed on projects that promote system change, advocacy efforts, and include support for core nonprofit operations such as staff time, overhead, and evaluation. The Foundation also encourages applications from organizations led by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). To be eligible for funding, organizations must be recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be a municipal entity seeking a grant for public purposes. Organizations without their own nonprofit status may apply through a nonprofit fiscal sponsor. Additionally, applicants should have a board representative of the community, with a majority of members being neither employees nor relatives of employees. Possession of a Nonprofit Registration to Solicit Funds (or an appropriate exemption) from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection is also required. The application process involves submitting a General Grant Application through the Foundation's online system, GOapply. Applicants must register for a GOapply account, a process that may take up to two business days for approval. It's advisable to register well in advance to ensure ample time for application preparation and submission. Applications are reviewed by Foundation staff and volunteer committees trained to recognize and mitigate bias, employing a racial equity lens during the evaluation process. This approach includes considering whether projects provide benefits or burdens to BIPOC communities, addressing root causes, involving affected individuals in project design and implementation, and assessing the organization's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Foundation has set application deadlines for the Pride in the Hills Fund on February 20, 2025, and October 15, 2025. Applicants can expect a decision-making process that takes approximately ten weeks from the deadline date. For further inquiries or assistance, interested parties are encouraged to contact Josh Carey, Director of Grants Management, at jcarey@conncf.org or 203.753.1315.