Connecticut grants for Independent school districts

This grant provides financial support to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations and schools for community events that promote cultural enrichment, connection, and civic engagement.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and schools in select U.S. states for programs focused on workforce development in advanced manufacturing and environmental sustainability initiatives.

This grant provides funding for innovative environmental projects that promote preservation, conservation, restoration, and education in the Lower Connecticut River Valley, targeting eligible nonprofits, municipalities, and schools in specific towns.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations and schools focused on improving mobility access for individuals with disabilities, as well as initiatives in education and environmental sustainability.

This program provides funding to schools, municipalities, and nonprofits in Connecticut to promote safe and accessible walking, biking, and rolling through the purchase of safety equipment and educational materials.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and public entities in implementing programs that benefit low- to moderate-income individuals and historically underserved communities.

The Annual FirstClass Grant Program for Teachers is a grant opportunity for K-5 public school teachers in the towns of Stamford, Greenwich, Darien, Fairfield, New Canaan, Norwalk, Westport, and Bridgeport. The program aims to support creative educational programs that have a broad impact on an entire class or grade. Eligible programs include nature-based, astronomy, financial literacy, conservation, and environmentally focused initiatives. Requests for books, magazine subscriptions, school trips, and electronics are not eligible. The maximum grant amount is $1,000. Applications are accepted from September 1st to October 31st each year and require authorization from the school principal. For more information and to access the application form, please contact 203.462.4858 or email [email protected].

The Connecticut Grown for Connecticut Kids Grant Program, hereafter referred to as the CTG4CTK Grant, provides funds to Connecticut local or regional boards of education, regional educational service centers, cooperative arrangements pursuant to section 10-158a of the general statutes, child care centers, group child care homes and family child care homes, as such terms are described in section 19a-77 of the general statutes, or any organization or entity administering or assisting in the development of a farm to school program. Donor Name: Connecticut Department of Agriculture State: Connecticut County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/18/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The CTG4CTK Grant shall, “assist schools, school districts, childcare centers and homes, and organizations to develop farm to school programs that will increase the availability of local foods in child nutrition programs, allow educators to use hands-on educational techniques to teach students about nutrition and farm to school connections, sustain relationships with local farmers and producers, enrich the educational experience of students, improve the health of children in the state and enhance the state’s economy.”  These funds are intended to provide a combination of resources to build capacity for long-term Farm to School Programs in schools, school districts, childcare centers, and homes. Priorities To fund applicants located in alliance districts, as defined in section 10-262u of the general statutes, as amended by this act, or who are providers of school readiness programs, as defined in section 10-16p of the general statutes To fund applicants who demonstrate a broad commitment from school administrators, school nutrition professionals, educators, and community stakeholders. In the grant narrative, applicants are requested to describe both the support that they have for the project and detail how input was gathered to formulate the idea Tracks The one-time Shipping Container Growing grant program has a funding cap of $250,000 and a 24-month timeline to complete. Track 1: Farm to School (K-12) Local Procurement Assistance Grant Track 2: Farm to School (K-12) Experiential Learning Grant Track 3: Producer Capacity Building Grant Track 4: Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) Grant Track 5: Shipping Container Growing Grant Funding Information The maximum amount awarded to any applicant through the CTG4CTK Grant shall not exceed $75,000 in Tracks 1, 2, & 4. Project Period 24 months Eligibility Criteria Local and regional boards of education; Regional education service centers; Private schools or institutions; Cooperative arrangements pursuant to section 10-158a of the general statutes; Childcare centers, group childcare homes and family childcare homes as such terms are described in section 19a077 of the general statutes; or  Any organization or entity, including Connecticut farmers, administering or assisting in the development of a farm-to-school program. For more information, visit Connecticut Department of Agriculture.

Under the broader Program Enhancement Projects for Adult Education, Section 225 targets corrections education and education for other institutionalized individuals in Connecticut. This initiative seeks to provide educational services to those likely to leave correctional institutions within five years, aiming to enhance their literacy, employment, and reintegration prospects. It emphasizes the importance of basic skills and literacy for effective societal participation. Funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the project promotes collaboration to meet the educational needs of this specific population, with a commitment to multi-year funding that spans from fiscal year 2025 to 2028. Grant renewed every year. It will be a 4-year program ( last application probably around May 2027)

Under the broader Program Enhancement Projects for Adult Education, Section 243 focuses on Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE). This program supports English language learners in improving their literacy and understanding of American civics, aiming for better integration, employment, and educational opportunities. Eligible providers are encouraged to propose projects that combine IELCE educational services with integrated education and training (IET), reflecting the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act’s (WIOA) objectives. This funding opportunity, spanning fiscal years 2025 through 2028, promotes collaborations to fulfill the educational needs of English language learners in Connecticut. Grant renewed every year. It will be a 4-year program ( last application probably around May 2027)

The Program Enhancement Project for Adult Education, as part of the AEFLA Section 231 Comprehensive Adult Education Services, aims to expand and enhance educational programs for adults in Connecticut. With an emphasis on improving basic skills and literacy, the project facilitates effective participation in society and the workforce. It supports a variety of activities including adult literacy, workplace education, family literacy, and English language acquisition, among others. This initiative, funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), encourages collaborations to avoid service duplication, address local needs, and ensure seamless educational transitions. The project is open for proposals from eligible agencies with the intent to award multi-year grants, ensuring sustained impact from fiscal year 2025 through 2028. Grant renewed every year. It will be a 4-year program ( last application probably around May 2027)

Applicants are invited to apply for the New England States Touring Grant Program. Donor Name: New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: There are three distinct grant opportunities for New England nonprofit organizations: NEST 1, NEST 2, and NEST 3. Organizations serving rural communities and/or deeply engaging Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities are encouraged to apply. NEST 1 Funds the public presentation and engagement of a New England artist presented by a New England nonprofit organization based in a different New England state from the artist’s home state. Grants provide up to 60% of the artist fee and range from $500 to a maximum of $5,000. Applications with artist fees under $2,000 may request the full artist fee. The artist must be listed as NEST-Eligible on the CreativeGround directory. NEST 2 Funds the public presentation and community engagement activities of a New England artist presented by two New England nonprofit organizations. Tours must include one presenting organization based inside of the artist’s home state and one other organization from outside of the artist’s home state. Both presenting organizations must submit their own application and both applications must be submitted at the same deadline. There are three application deadlines each year. They are the first business days of August, December, and March. Grants provide up to 60% of the artist fee and range from $500 to a maximum of $5,000. Applications with artist fees under $2,000 may request the full artist fee. The artist must be listed as NEST-Eligible on the CreativeGround directory. NEST 3 Funds tours, including public presentation and community engagement activities, of regional, national, or international artists presented by New England nonprofit organizations. Tours must include a minimum of three New England organizations in different communities presenting the same artist. The organizations applying must be from at least two different New England states. Each organization is responsible for reviewing the program goals and criteria, negotiating the terms of the engagement with the artist, and completing a NEST 3 application. Organizations may submit up to three NEST 3 applications. The annual deadline is the first business day of March. Grants provide up to 60% of the artist fee to a maximum of $10,000. Applications with artist fees under $2,000 may request the full artist fee. New England artists must be listed as NEST-eligible on Creative Ground. For non-New England artists, an artist work sample must be submitted by one of the touring partners. Grant period: Touring projects must occur between June 1, 2024 and August 31, 2025. Funding Criteria The amount of funding awarded is based on the extent to which the project meets the criteria. NEST 3 projects will be assessed on the individual strength of each partner’s application and the collective strength of the tour. The funding criteria are: Clear rationale for how the project aligns with the organization’s arts programming goals and its significance for the community. Collaborative planning among tour partners and artists to provide a meaningful experience for the artist and partner organizations and their communities. The featured artist(s) should be included in project planning. (Applicable for NEST 2 & 3 only). Additional activities beyond the performance, which provide opportunities for the artist(s) in this engagement to meaningfully connect with various sectors of the community. Cross-sector exchanges (connecting arts and non-arts organizations) and collaboration are strongly encouraged. Expands access to the arts for all New England communities, including rural and/or Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. NEFA acknowledges structural inequities that have excluded individuals and communities from opportunity based on race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, class, age, language, culture, and geography, and strives to counter those inequities in our work. NEFA strongly encourages charging admission to performances and events for the following reasons: Admissions are a vital source of income to help pay artist fees and other event expenses. Admissions remind audiences that the work of artists has distinct value and that the professionals involved must make a living from their endeavors in order to continue. Admissions purchased through advance ticket sales help ensure attendance. Admissions purchases provide patron information that can aid in marketing, fundraising, and audience development. Eligibility Criteria To be eligible for NEST funding, applicants must: Be a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, school, federally recognized Indian tribal government, or unit of state or local government. (Nonprofit organizations do not have to be arts organizations. Organizations that do not have a federal tax identification number may apply if part of an official government agency). Fiscal agents cannot be funded through NEST. Be based in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont). Have a Unique Entity ID in SAM.gov. For more information, visit NEFA.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CT DOT) is soliciting projects for the 2024 Active Transportation Microgrant Program. Donor Name: Connecticut Department of Transportation State: Connecticut County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/27/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This program provides funding for a variety of transportation projects including equitable, safe, accessible, and sustainable access to transportation by making conditions safer for people of all ages to walk, bike and roll, thereby encouraging more people to use these healthy and environmentally sustainable modes of travel.  Funding Information The funding limits for Active Transportation Microgrants awarded for this solicitation range up to $5,000 for each grant. Activities eligible for funding under this program Activities eligible for funding under this program shall improve access and conditions for active transportation users. All eligible items are considered non-infrastructure and will not require design or construction including Items include one or more of the following: Bicycle helmets Bicycle locks Bicycle lights Bicycle maintenance training and materials (non-infrastructure) Rental of Bicycle fleets and/or purchase of bicycles including adaptive bicycles League Cycling Instructor (LCI) training Programs, events and materials for pedestrian and bicycle safety education Safety vests for pedestrians Use of Funds can only be used for eligible active transportation non-infrastructure items. Costs associated with engineering; rights-of-way negotiations and acquisitions; utility relocation; and public involvement, are the responsibility of the organization applying. Eligibility Criteria Municipalities, schools, school districts, and nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit SCRCG.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations focused on improving their services for low- to moderate-income and historically underserved communities through strategic investments in planning, staff development, and technology.

This grant provides financial support for land acquisition and environmental education initiatives aimed at protecting water quality in the South Central Connecticut Regional Water District.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for educational, cultural, human services, and healthcare programs aimed at helping underserved communities in Greater New London County.

This grant provides funding to local organizations in underserved states and territories to implement educational programs that encourage youth aged 10 to 19 to avoid non-marital sexual activity and promote healthy life choices.