Connecticut grants for Nonprofits

This grant provides financial assistance to municipalities, non-profit land conservation organizations, and water companies in Connecticut for acquiring land to preserve open spaces and protect water supplies.

The Town of Avon is pleased to welcome applications for its Support for Community Events Grant Program. Donor Name: Town of Avon State: Connecticut County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/03/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: Goals and Objectives The Support for Community Events Grant Program aims to provide financial aid to local festivals, special events, or community programs designed to provide recreational and/or cultural opportunities for residents and generally promote the Town of Avon. The approval of financial aid will be considered for local festivals, special events, or community programs designed to provide recreational and/or cultural opportunities for residents and generally promote the Town. Special attention shall be given to events that promote the attractiveness of the Town as a place to visit and/or live, celebrate the heritage of the Town and its residents, promote recreational opportunities and/or enrich quality of life. Funding Information Grant awards will be capped at 25% of an applicant’s event budget or $7,500, whichever is less. The events will occur from July 1, 2024, through October 31, 2024.  Eligibility Criteria The applicant must meet all of the following requirements, eligibility criteria and conditions: The applicant must be identified by the IRS as tax-exempt under a 501c category. Grants will not be awarded to organizations whose primary purpose is of a political or religious nature. The event supports the aforementioned goals and objectives. Funds are not to be used to support an applicant’s regular operational costs. The applicant’s event must not be financially dependent upon receiving support from the Town of Avon. A maximum of one grant will be awarded per event. Event must be held within the limits of the Town of Avon. The recipient of the funds shall provide the Town with recognition as a sponsor in a method consistent with other sponsors who have provided funds of an equivalent value. Preference will be given to grant requests that fund the purchase of items or services that will assist event organizers in protecting the public health, safety and welfare. Examples of such items and services include, but are not limited to, emergency medical services, refuse and recycling collection and disposal, portable restrooms and wash stations, portable lighting, security services, and transportation. Grant requests to fund the purchase of products or services that are prohibited for use by, or sale to, minors will not be funded. The event must be free and open to the public. Events that charge an entrance fee to the public will not be considered. Events that are organized as a for-profit commercial venture will not be considered. For more information, visit Town of Avon.

This funding opportunity supports organizations working to improve the environmental quality of the Quinnipiac River and its watershed through initiatives like pollution reduction, habitat restoration, and public education.

This program provides funding to organizations in New England for projects that preserve and share the diverse histories of their communities through the conservation of buildings, landscapes, and collections.

These grants provide matching reimbursement to Connecticut municipalities and 501(c)3 and 501(c)13 nonprofits for projects that advance the goals of the State Historic Preservation Office through education, awareness, promotion, outreach and visioning initiatives. The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) offers matching, reimbursement Partners in Preservation (PIP) Grants of up to $20,000 to Connecticut municipalities and 501(c)3 and 501(c)13 nonprofits for projects that advance the goals of the State Historic Preservation Office through a variety of historic preservation education, awareness, promotion, outreach and visioning initiatives

Sponsorship opportunities are available for one-day fundraising events in Connecticut, with applications accepted on a rolling basis depending on funding availability. Nonprofits and community groups can receive sponsorships for in-person, virtual, or hybrid events, with a focus on encouraging resident engagement in New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, and East Haven. The Foundation's minimum eligibility requirements must be met by all applicants.

The City of Stamford is now accepting applications for its 2024 Community Microgrant Program. Donor Name: City of Stamford State: Connecticut City: Stamford Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/03/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Community Microgrant Program (formerly the Neighborhood Grant Program) has awarded small grants for community-specific projects aimed at improving the quality of life across Stamford’s neighborhoods. Depending on the needs of a particular area, as determined by people who live there, grant funds are available to help a range of resident groups – from informal grassroot organizations and well-established associations to community-wide efforts – by supporting the activities and projects important to applicants. Grant Priorities  While all applications will be given consideration, projects that meet the following criteria will be given a higher priority rating for this grant cycle: Sustainable projects Ideas or initiatives that have long-term, multi-year impact on the community Investments in physical spaces, equipment, tools, etc. that will be helpful to the community for years to come New and Innovative projects Ideas that require start-up funding to get a project off the ground New, creative ideas to improve the community that have not yet been tried – pilot projects welcome! Funding Information This year, the Community Microgrant Program has $75,000 available to invest in Stamford’s neighborhoods. Grants may be awarded for $1,000 to $10,000. Eligibility Criteria The following entities are encouraged to apply for the Community Micro-Grant Program: Stamford-based nonprofit or charitable organizations Organizations that are not 501c3 entities Please Note: Applicants who do not have legal nonprofit status will need to identify fiscal agents (local 501c3 organization or City Department) willing to be responsible for handling grant funds on their behalf. The following entities are NOT eligible for the application process: For-profit organizations Individuals. For more information, visit City of Stamford.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in specific eastern U.S. states for projects that focus on human needs, environmental stewardship, education, and community vitality.

This grant provides funding for nonprofit organizations and community groups in Enfield, Connecticut, to support projects that address local needs and promote inclusivity and equity among residents.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to municipalities and non-profit organizations in Connecticut for environmental assessment and cleanup of brownfield sites, particularly in underserved communities, to promote the creation of parks and recreational spaces.

This grant provides funding to distressed municipalities and registered non-profits in Connecticut to develop or improve urban green spaces and community gardens for public enjoyment and environmental education.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that assist migrant and seasonal farmworkers with employment services, training, and housing solutions.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local nonprofit organizations in Connecticut for innovative programs and urgent needs, with grants ranging from $250 to $10,000.

The Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation is now accepting grant applications from local 501(c)(3), 170(c)(1), and other qualified non-profit organizations in the communities served by Jewett City Savings Bank. Donor Name: Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Established in 2004, the Foundation was created for the support and benefit of community, charitable, educational, and other benevolent purposes. In 2023, the Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation provided more than 70 grants totaling $96,211 to local non-profits that provide health, social and emergency services, and in support of food pantries, libraries, and arts and culture. The Foundation has donated more than $1.2 million since its establishment. For more information Jewett City Savings Bank Foundation.

This funding opportunity is designed to support new nonprofit organizations in Middlesex County that are working on initiatives related to racial equity, education, financial stability, housing, wellness, and youth development.

The Northeast SARE Professional Development Grant program funds projects that develop the knowledge, awareness, skills and attitudes of agricultural and other service providers about sustainable agriculture practices to teach, advise or assist farmers. Donor Name: Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 4 Years Details: An agricultural service provider is a professional who assists farmers. Projects that develop the ability of other service providers (for example, real estate agents, bankers, and attorneys) to work with farmers are also eligible. These service providers then use what they’ve learned through participation in project activities in their work with farmers. A wide variety of topics can be funded by Northeast SARE, including marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, urban and Indigenous agriculture and much more. Other aspects of projects funded through the Northeast SARE program include those that address climate-smart agriculture practices intended to improve ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change; increase carbon sequestration; and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate-smart practices include reduced and no-till, cover crops, prescribed grazing, ruminant feed management, manure management, fertilizer management, and on-farm energy efficiency. In addition, projects may address traditional ecological knowledge. Funding Information Awards typically range from $30,000 to $150,000. Project Duration Typical project length is 2 to 3 years. The maximum project length allowed is 3.5 years. Geographical Focus  The Northeast region includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. Eligibility Criteria  Professional Development Grants are open to anyone who works with service providers and farmers, including personnel at nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, Cooperative Extension, municipalities, tribal governments, state departments of agriculture, federal agencies, research farms and experiment stations, and for-profit business entities (such as farms, private consultants, veterinary practices and other businesses that serve the farming community). Northeast SARE encourages projects submitted from or in collaboration with women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). Additionally, they encourage projects submitted from or in collaboration with Minority Serving Institutions (including 1890s and other historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and tribal colleges and universities) and other organizations in the Northeast that work with historically underserved communities. Your organization must have the legal structure and financial capacity to receive and implement a Northeast SARE contract, including expending funds needed for the project prior to receiving reimbursements from Northeast SARE; advance payments are not possible. Projects must take place within the Northeast region. Applicants and host organizations may be located outside of the Northeast region if the project activities and the farmers served are located within the Northeast region. For more information, visit Northeast SARE.

The Bitsie Clark Fund for Artists (The Bitsie Fund) seeks to help artists pursue new work or achieve specific creative and career goals. Donor Name: The Bitsie Fund State: Connecticut Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Greater New Haven has long boasted an abundance of gifted artists who deserve the financial support to help them soar. In 2024, The Bitsie Fund will award two $5,000 grants. One is designated for a Black artist. The second is open to all. This Bitsie Clark Fund for Artists grant focuses on individual artists at a significant point in their personal development. Although impact on the community is a wonderful feature of any project, this grant is not about community development but about individual development. It will support individual artists seeking: to tackle a major goal in their artistic development, to take a risk on a new direction in their work, or to move their career as an artist forward. The Bitsie Fund is a donor-advised fund housed at the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. The artist must live in one of the towns served by the Foundation. Uses of funds  Approved uses of funds include, but are not limited to: Purchase of materials, equipment, or supplies, Compensation for time spent developing a project or creating art, Hiring others, Performance or touring costs, Travel to a destination relevant to the proposal, Rental of work/studio space or performance space, Production expenses, such as costumes, props, lighting or sound, Other items necessary for your development as an artist. Eligibility Criteria  The Bitsie Clark Fund for Artists will consider applications from individual artists practicing in all creative disciplines, including (but not limited to) dance, music, theater, visual, design, craft, literary, voice, poetry, playwriting, composition, and film. Artists who have created a substantial body of recent work and artists emerging in their field are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit The Bitsie Fund.

The Fairfield County’s Community Foundation is inviting applicants for its Greater Bridgeport Grant: Arts in the Service of Equity. Donor Name: Fairfield County’s Community Foundation State: Connecticut County: Fairfield County (CT) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: In recognition of the power arts and culture hold to amplify community voice, change narratives, promote inclusivity, and transform communities for the better, they are excited to announce a 3-year renewable grant opportunity focused on arts innovation for systems change in Greater Bridgeport. This funding opportunity honors the legacy and leverages the resources of the Greater Bridgeport Area Foundation, which merged in 2008 with Fairfield County’s Community Foundation. With a total funding pool of $1 million, this initiative will support up to three collaborative projects in Greater Bridgeport. Each project will receive three general operating support grants over three years, with the largest of the three grants coming in year one, and smaller wind-down grants in years two and three. General operating support will allow collaborating organizations flexibility to allocate funding in the ways that they deem best facilitate their projects’ goals and objectives. This funding seeks to leverage the arts to accelerate and catalyze social change in community. Competitive Proposals will: Demonstrate the impact/potential impact on Black, Indigenous, and People of color (BiPoC) Demonstrate the impact/potential impact on low-to-moderate income communities Clearly communicate how their work is addressing racial inequities in Fairfield County Clearly communicate partnerships with roles and responsibilities Have a clear three-year project plan/program design with an aligned budget. Aim to influence economic, physical, and social change Made a clear, detailed connection between the project and key results areas Eligibility Criteria They will consider requests from Arts and Culture-focused organizations located within Greater Bridgeport doing work that directly benefits residents of Greater Bridgeport. Eligible communities include: Bridgeport Easton Fairfield Monroe Stratford Trumbull Grassroots, BiPoC-led organizations with systems-level change goals will be given preference. Organizations are encouraged to apply regardless of budget size. Non-traditional arts organizations, defined as those not established for an arts-related purpose, must have an identified partnership with a traditional arts organization that will be expected to serve as the lead applicant. Lead applicants must be recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or 509 (a) public charity, or work under a fiscal sponsor that is a registered 501(c)(3). Foundation does not award grants for any of the following purposes: Persuading people to join/support a specific religion, political party, or candidate Capital campaigns or projects (e.g., major building repairs) Covering budget deficits Annual fundraising appeals Hosting a fundraising event Purchasing land as open space For-profit, parochial, charter, private, or individual public schools Nonprofit endowments Helping one specific person For more information, visit Fairfield County’s Community Foundation.

This grant provides financial support to established livestock farmers in select New England counties to implement regenerative agriculture practices that enhance soil health, water quality, and pollinator habitats.

This grant provides financial assistance to nonprofit organizations that support residents of Salisbury, Connecticut, who are in need due to sickness, misfortune, or lack of opportunity.