Connecticut Diversity Equity and Inclusion Grants

The Farm Transition Grant (FTG) is a competitive matching grant program designed to support Connecticut farmers and agricultural cooperatives in advancing their operations. Administered by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, the program funds projects aimed at diversification, transitioning to value-added production, and market development for locally grown products. The grant requires measurable outcomes that demonstrate significant progress beyond the applicant’s current status. For the 2025 grant cycle, applications are open from November 1, 2024, to January 10, 2025, at 4:00 PM, with awards announced by February 21, 2025. Projects are expected to begin in March or April 2025, depending on the size of the award. The FTG offers four funding categories tailored to meet different agricultural needs. The New Farmer Micro Grant provides up to $5,000 for individuals with 1–3 years of production history, requiring a 25% cash match. The Infrastructure Investment Grant allocates up to $25,000 for farmers with at least three years of production history to expand or diversify operations, with a 50% match required. The Research and Development Grant funds up to $25,000 for exploring new products, services, or markets, requiring a 40% match. Finally, the Innovation and Diversification Grant offers up to $49,999 for implementing new products or services that expand business operations, with a 25% match requirement. Each applicant may submit only one project per grant cycle. Eligible applicants must be for-profit farm businesses in Connecticut. Nonprofit organizations are excluded but may apply to other programs offered by the Department of Agriculture. Applications must include a comprehensive description of the project, demonstrate alignment with grant goals, and comply with the specified match requirements. Certain costs, such as land acquisition, routine business expenses, and previously incurred expenses, are ineligible for funding or as matches. To assist applicants, the Department of Agriculture will host a Farm Transition Grant Overview Webinar and virtual office hours on December 12, 2024, and January 6, 2025, providing opportunities for applicants to ask questions and refine their submissions. Completed applications must be submitted electronically through the grant’s online platform, accompanied by required documentation, such as budget details, quotes, and landlord consent forms if the project is on leased land. The Farm Transition Grant prioritizes projects that promote sustainability, innovation, and market expansion, with a special focus on supporting historically underserved farmers and veterans. For additional information, applicants can contact Alison Grabarz at [email protected] or visit the program’s website. This grant provides a valuable opportunity for Connecticut farmers to advance their operations and contribute to the state’s agricultural growth.

This grant provides funding to local governments and nonprofit organizations for projects that restore and enhance urban forested areas and riparian corridors, focusing on improving ecosystem health and resilience.

This program provides competitive funding for Connecticut nonprofit organizations to support capital projects or programs in sectors such as child care, education, healthcare, cultural institutions, and human services.

This funding opportunity supports organizations providing inclusive and enriching summer programs for youth and individuals with disabilities in Hartford and its surrounding areas.

This opportunity invites Manchester residents aged 14 and older to join an advisory committee that influences grantmaking decisions to support community initiatives and enhance local well-being.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for community-driven projects in East Hartford that promote civic engagement and benefit residents inclusively, with grants ranging from $250 to $5,000 available to eligible nonprofit organizations.

This program provides funding to Connecticut local governments and non-profits to improve urban forests, focusing on preserving trees and expanding tree canopy in underserved communities.

This funding opportunity provides $100,000 to nonprofit organizations in Fairfield County, Connecticut, to implement impactful programs that benefit under-resourced communities.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Middlesex County, Connecticut, to support educational, health, and human services initiatives for underserved populations, particularly in Middletown.

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 grant provides funding to small organizations in Middlesex County, Connecticut, to support programs and events that promote racial equity, education, financial stability, housing, wellness, and youth development.

The Latino Endowment Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is offering a grant of $10,000 to $100,000 for initiatives that support the Latine community in the Greater Hartford area, focusing on housing equity, educational equity, and linguistic justice, with priority given to collaborative proposals from grassroots organizations serving Latino/a residents within the Foundation’s 29-town region.

This funding opportunity supports non-profit organizations and collaborative groups working to improve the quality of life for residents of Hebron through innovative programs and enhancements to existing services.

The Bradley Henry Barnes and Leila Upson Barnes Memorial Trust provides grants to support the health and well-being of Southington residents. Donor Name: Main Street Community Foundation State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/20/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Trust distributes grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving the Southington community.  Priority Areas  Funding requests must align with at least one of the following identified community health and healthcare priority areas: Health/Health Care Needs for an Aging Population Substance Use and Mental Health Healthy Initiatives and Lifestyle including, but not limited to: COVID-19 related needs and recovery efforts Availability and Access to Healthy Food Environmental Protection and Sustainability of Natural Resources Fitness and Health Health Equity Health Literacy and Education Transportation and Access to Health Services. Funding Information Grants generally range from $25,000 to $100,000.  Eligibility Requirements  Organizations must be tax-exempt organizations qualifying under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended. Organizations must be either located in the Town of Southington, or serving the residents of the Town of Southington. All organizations must demonstrate the number of residents served from the Town of Southington. Applicants with outstanding follow-up reports for closed grants will not be eligible to apply. Organizations may not receive more than one grant in a calendar year unless the other grant is a community collaboration. Organizations may not receive funding for more than three years in a row. More than one organization under a corporate umbrella may apply if they are a separate operating entity with their own tax identification number. The submission of a full proposal does not guarantee funding. For more information, visit MSCF.

The Women’s Business Development Council offers grants of up to $10,000 to qualified women-owned small businesses in Connecticut. Donor Name: Women’s Business Development Council State: Connecticut County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/24/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Ignite is designed to help women-owned businesses grow! Grants between $2,500 and $10,000 will be awarded for clearly defined projects that will have a measurable impact on the business, its growth and profitability. Eligibility Criteria  To be eligible, the business must: Be 51% or more woman-owned Be headquartered in CT, registered in the state of CT, and owned by a CT resident Have been in business for at least two years before the application round deadline, with a record of sales Have a record of annual sales/revenue in the last twelve months greater than $25,000 and less than $2,000,000 Be in good standing with the CT Department of Revenue Services (DRS) Have an established business checking account Currently utilize a formal, digital bookkeeping/financial system (e.g. QuickBooks, Sage, FreshBooks, Wave Accounting) Be a for profit business Be owned by a woman at least 18 years old Have invested at least $2,500 into your business in the last 12 months, unless the business is located in a distressed municipality The following businesses are not eligible: Childcare businesses are not eligible for the Ignite Grant. If your business is in the childcare industry, WBDC has other programs for you.  Any individual or business that has already received an Ignite Grant, Equity Match Grant or WBDC Municipal Grant is not eligible. Non-profit organizations are not eligible. Current vendors or contractors of WBDC are not eligible. (Former vendors are eligible to apply a year after working with WBDC.) Medical marijuana; liquor stores and alcohol distributors; adult businesses such as strip clubs; vape retailers; tobacco shops and smoking lounges; businesses having to do with gambling; gun stores and ranges; cash advance, check cashing, or pawn shops; bail bonds; collection agencies or services; and auction or bankruptcy or fire or “lost-the-lease” or “going-out-of-business” or similar sale. For more information, visit WBDC.

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.

This grant provides funding to non-profit organizations in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville, and Southington, Connecticut, to enhance community services and improve the quality of life for local residents.

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.

This grant provides financial support to organizations in Connecticut that assist economically disadvantaged individuals, particularly sick children and older adults, as well as public and charitable hospitals.

The Connecticut Land Conservation Council (CLCC) is excited to announce the Climate Smart Land Stewardship Grants. Donor Name: Connecticut Land Conservation Council State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The purpose of the Climate Smart Land Stewardship Grant Program is to increase the number of acres in Connecticut that are managed using climate smart land stewardship practices and encourage the future use of climate smart practices among Connecticut’s land trusts. Climate smart land stewardship practices are a collection of strategies and practices that increase the ability of land to sequester and store carbon, provide additional ecosystem services, withstand disturbances and adapt to changing conditions. Examples of projects that may be funded through the Climate Smart Land Stewardship Grant Program include, but are not limited to: Developing plans for climate smart land stewardship projects, including forest management plans; Establishing pollinator habitat, including pollinator gardens and meadows; Managing invasive species, followed by native tree and shrub planting; Managing forests to improve wildlife habitat, create structural diversity, and facilitate oak regeneration; Establishing wildlife corridors to provide habitat continuity; Increasing riparian forest buffers; Implementing agricultural practices that improve water quality and/or soil health. Funding Information Funding is available for two types of grants: Planning Grants – Maximum award $8,000 Implementation Grants – Maximum award $50,000 Project Period Planning Grants must be completed within 12 months. Eligibility Criteria Applicant is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Applicant’s mission is dedicated to land conservation and/or stewardship of conserved lands. Applicant’s service area is located within or includes the State of Connecticut. Applicant is a current member of CLCC. For more information, visit CLCC.