Connecticut Capacity Building Grants

This funding opportunity supports grassroots organizations in New England that are dedicated to anti-racist initiatives and social justice, helping them build movements and drive systemic change in their communities.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Connecticut focused on historic preservation, helping them improve their operations, diversify funding, and enhance community engagement.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in New Britain and Waterbury with essential capital needs to improve their services, while also allowing eligible organizations outside these areas to apply for smaller grants.

This program provides financial support to small nonprofit organizations in Greater New Haven to help them address COVID-19 impacts or advance racial equity through project support, capacity building, or general operating expenses.

The Catalyst Endowment Fund is excited to announce a competitive funding opportunity to support initiatives focused on Empowering Future Leaders and Community Builders through Youth Sports in Greater Hartford. Donor Name: Hartford Foundation for Public Giving State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/22/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This year, through a series of learning sessions, Catalyst members explored some of the positive effects youth sports can have on individuals, families, and society as a whole. From fostering teamwork and leadership skills to promoting physical and mental well-being, youth sports play a vital role in shaping resilient, confident, and empowered individuals. The focus is on sustainable support systems designed to bridge the access gaps to youth sports in Greater Hartford. Focus Areas Areas of focus include:  Infrastructure Development: Programs that improve existing sports facilities and equipment in underserved communities, ensuring long-term accessibility for youth sports activities.  Training and Capacity Building: Initiatives that train coaches, volunteers, and staff to provide quality sports programs, fostering a sustainable support network for youth sports.  Partnerships and Collaborations: Proposals that create or strengthen partnerships with schools, community organizations, and local businesses to provide ongoing support and resources for youth sports programs.  Health and Wellness Integration: Initiatives that integrate physical and mental health services with youth sports programs to promote holistic well-being and sustained participation. Funding Information The fund has $69,000 available to award. One or more grants will be awarded totaling $69,000, based on the size of the project, funding need, and the quality of plans responding to the forthcoming Request for Proposal.  Eligibility Criteria Nonprofits with a 501c3 designation that are in or provide significant services in the Greater Hartford region are eligible to apply. Community groups, or groups of residents, that do not have a 501c3 tax status, are encouraged to apply through a fiscal sponsor. For more information, visit Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) Phase 41, created in 1983, aims to supplement and expand the work of local social service agencies to assist individuals facing economic emergencies. Funded through the Department of Homeland Security, EFSP provides federal grants to organizations helping the hungry and homeless. The grants are intended to support feeding, sheltering (including transitional sheltering), and rent/mortgage and utility assistance efforts. Local Recipient Organizations (LROs) are selected by local boards based on the highest need and best use of funds. The program period is from October 1, 2022, to December 31, 2024.

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.

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.

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 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals for the Northeast Forests and Rivers Fund (NEFRF)(formerly known as the New England Forests and Rivers Fund) to restore and sustain healthy rivers, forests and grasslands that provide habitat for diverse fish and wildlife populations. Donor Name: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/11/2024 Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: The program will advance this goal by investing in projects that: Restore the quality and connectivity of stream and riparian habitats with a focus on improving habitat for river herring, Atlantic salmon, brook trout and wood turtles; Improve management of forest blocks to enhance age and structural diversity, resulting in improved forest conditions for native wildlife, with a focus on improving habitat for golden-winged warbler and New England cottontail; and, Promote hayfield management that allows for successful grassland bird breeding, with a specific focus on habitat for bobolink. Approximately $2 million is available this year. Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Zoetis Foundation and Sylvamo. Program Priorities  Proposals should strive to contribute to goals detailed in NFWF’s Northeast Watersheds Business Plan (March 2023), and specifically the strategies for Stream and Riparian Habitat, and Upland Forests and Grasslands. (Applicants interested in supporting the priorities for Coastal Habitats in the business plan are encouraged to apply to NFWF’s Long Island Sound Futures Fund and National Coastal Resilience Fund.) Priority implementation strategies for NEFRF funding in 2024 are detailed below. Approximately $625,000 in program funding will be set aside for projects that direct staff resources to help agricultural producers design and implement conservation practices benefitting select Working Lands for Wildlife target species, especially northeast turtles and golden-winged warblers. Projects should Increase Farm Bill program participation and conservation practice implementation among agricultural producers, especially farmers and ranchers in the Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories. In addition, projects that incorporate outreach to communities, foster community engagement, and pursue collaborative management leading to measurable conservation benefits are encouraged. When possible, projects should be developed through community input and co-design processes and should consider traditional knowledge where relevant. Additionally, projects should engage community-level partners (e.g., municipalities, NGOs, community organizations, community leaders) to help design, implement, and maintain projects to secure maximum benefits for communities, maintenance, and sustainability post-grant award. Grant Period Projects should plan to start no later than six months after the award date and be completed within three years. Geographical Areas  Projects are eligible from throughout the program boundary, which includes all of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, as well as parts of New York. However, within the Long Island Sound and Connecticut River watershed, NEFRF will only consider projects to sustain and restore healthy forests, grasslands and fish passage projects. All other projects should apply to the Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF). Eligibility Criteria  Eligible and Ineligible Entities: Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c) organizations, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, Tribal governments and organizations, and educational institutions. Ineligible applicants include U.S. Federal government agencies, businesses, unincorporated individuals and international organizations. For more information, visit NFWF.

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 Ion Bank Foundation is accepting applications to support programs and organizations that will contribute to the betterment of the communities it serves. Donor Name: Ion Bank Foundation State: Connecticut, New Jersey County: Hartford County (CT), Litchfield County (CT), Morris County (NJ), New Haven County (CT) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  09/18/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Types of Grants The Ion Bank Foundation awards both designated and competitive grants. Designated grants will be made to organizations selected by the Ion Bank Foundation and will not be required to submit an application for this funding. Organizations will be notified by Ion Bank Foundation about the schedule for distribution and amount of their funding immediately after these awards are made. Competitive grants are made for programs and capital needs. The Foundation will primarily fund direct costs incurred in starting or improving a program. However, indirect/overhead expenses are permitted as a line item – overhead above 10% of request must be documented in the Budget Narrative. Specifically, Ion Bank Foundation seeks projects that align with the Ion Bank Foundation’s priorities. The priorities are: Affordable housing and rehabilitation Community services; including but not limited to, healthcare, education, job training, social services, child care, and credit or financial services Economic development Revitalization or stabilization of distressed or underserved areas In addition, the Ion Bank Foundation looks for strong proposals that Address demonstrated community need. Summarize the organization’s track record in successfully implementing programs. Adopt evidence-based programs and models, when appropriate. Demonstrate potential for leveraging additional or sustaining support. Clearly explain the project plan and provide a realistic budget that aligns with stated goals. Advance community plans and priorities, when applicable. Preference is afforded to those requests with broad, visible community involvement in the design and fundraising for the project. Include alliances and collaborative ventures between organizations, especially in cases where a partnership is essential for program success. Describe local presence and benefits to Hartford County, Litchfield County, or New Haven County in Connecticut and Morris County in New Jersey. Funding Information The Ion Bank Foundation fall in the $1,000-$10,000 range. Eligibility Criteria An applicant must be a non-profit organization recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, a municipal entity seeking a grant for public purposes or a religious organization seeking a grant for nonsectarian projects primarily associated with foundation priorities. Applicants must be in, or serving communities with Ion Bank’s defined assessment area for Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) purposes. For more information, visit Ion Bank Foundation.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in the Berkshire Taconic region to support capacity-building projects that enhance governance, diversity, and overall effectiveness in serving their communities.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in the Berkshire Taconic region for innovative projects that improve environmental quality and promote community health, with a focus on engaging at-risk and low-income youth.

This grant provides financial support for nonprofit organizations and community initiatives in Andover, helping to address local needs and enhance civic engagement.

This grant provides financial support for community arts and cultural projects in East Hartford, helping to fund activities like concerts, workshops, and public art installations.

This program provides financial support to small nonprofit organizations in the Greater New Haven area to strengthen their capacity, enhance community services, and promote sustainability.

This funding opportunity provides flexible financial support to nonprofits serving communities in Greater New Haven, allowing them to allocate resources where they are most needed to sustain and grow their operations.

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.