Connecticut Food and Nutrition Grants

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in Connecticut that help individuals meet essential needs related to food, housing stability, and clothing or hygiene.

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.

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.

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 Northwest Community Bank Foundation is accepting applications for its grant program to support non-profit organizations that strengthen and enhance the quality of life in the communities they serve. Donor Name: Northwest Community Bank Foundation State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/15/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Northwest Community Bank Foundation was funded and organized on January 1, 2022 by Northwest Community Bank and its Divisions, Collinsville Bank and Litchfield Bancorp, as a separate non-profit entity. The Foundation extends the Bank’s contributions to non-profit agencies and organizations working to address the needs of the communities the bank serves. Focus Areas  Education That Fuels Future Economic Success The education grants help empower people to build personal assets and skills to take charge of their futures. Youth development including early childhood education Financial education Employment skills/workforce development Women’s empowerment Safe and Affordable Housing The affordable housing grants support access to safe, clean and affordable places to live. Community development projects Maintenance and renovation projects Homebuyer programs Foreclosure and eviction prevention programs Basic Human Services The basic human services grants support organizations that meet the immediate needs of individuals and families while also supporting prevention and long-term solutions for people living in difficult economic circumstances. (Food Pantries are encouraged to request support through Northwest Community Bank’s Corporate Giving programs.) Food and nutrition programs Fuel assistance Domestic violence programs Temporary housing, shelter Basic necessity assistance e.g., clothing Health Services Community Impact The community impact grants support the overall well-being of individuals within the community Disaster relief The Environment The Arts Animal Welfare. Types of Grants  The Foundation will consider the following types of funding requests from organizations that fit the investment focus areas. Program Grants to support the delivery and/or expansion of the direct services core to the mission of local organizations. Capacity Building Grants aimed at strengthening an agency’s ability to make a greater impact, improve effectiveness and efficiency or adapt to address changing community needs. e.g., strategic planning, staff and board development, technology upgrades, and marketing. Capital Grants and Campaigns will be considered by the Foundation but may also be selectively considered by Northwest Community Bank’s Corporate Giving programs. Geographical Areas  Avon, Barkhamsted, Berlin, Bethlehem, Bloomfield, Bridgewater, Bristol, Burlington, Canaan, Canton, Colebrook, Collinsville, Cornwall, East Granby, Falls Village, Farmington, Goshen, Granby, Hartford, Hartland, Harwinton, Kent, Lakeville, Litchfield, Morris, New Britain, New Hartford, Newington, New Milford, Norfolk, Plainville, Rocky Hill, Roxbury, Salisbury, Sharon, Simsbury, Southington, Suffield, Terryville, Thomaston, Torrington, Warren, Washington, Watertown, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor, Windsor Locks, Winsted and Woodbury. Eligibility Criteria  To apply for a grant from the Northwest Community Bank Foundation applicants must be: A registered 501(c) 3 organization that demonstrates significant local Municipalities will be considered. An organization whose mission or services align with Northwest Community Bank’s investment focus. An organization providing services within Northwest Community Bank Communities. For more information, visit NCBF.

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is pleased to announce a competitive grant opportunity to support nonprofits as they increase access to emergency services and immediate assistance for the most basic of human needs for vulnerable residents in Greater Hartford. Donor Name: Hartford Foundation for Public Giving State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The Hartford Foundation is continuing the historic tradition of supporting emergency aid and basic needs throughout its service area in alignment with the Foundation’s Basic Human Needs desired outcomes to increase food security, decrease homelessness, and improve the physical and emotional wellbeing of residents. The Foundation is seeking requests to directly provide emergency services and assistance that address the most basic of human needs of Greater Hartford residents. Examples of emergency services and assistance might include one or more of the following: Food or food assistance Emergency clothing needs (e.g., shoes, school uniforms, coats) Personal care items (e.g., deodorant, diapers, sanitary products) Emergency financial assistance (e.g., rent and/or mortgage assistance and utility expense assistance, childcare assistance, bus fare/tokens, gas money) Emergency medical aid or immediate expense assistance (e.g., dental, medical, mental health supports, and prescription expenses) Aftercare programs for victims of domestic violence Emergency and/or informal case management services. Funding Information The Foundation welcomes requests of $1,000-$15,000 for individual projects and up to $20,000 for collaborative projects for items and/or services to be provided during a one-year time-period. Eligibility Criteria  Applications must be submitted by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Community groups can use an organization with a 501(c)(3) designation as a fiscal sponsor. Nonprofits may serve as a fiscal sponsor for multiple projects.  Both the organization and program in the application should be in existence for at least one year prior to applying.  If your organization is named as a direct beneficiary in a collaboration grant that was awarded in Round 1, your organization is now ineligible to receive a grant in Round 2.  A nonprofit or community group can only submit one application for one project or program each round for consideration. If you received a grant in July, you are not eligible to receive a grant in November.  If a nonprofit organization or community group is currently the recipient of a multi-year core or project/program support from the Foundation you are ineligible for this opportunity (excluding those serving as a fiscal agent for another applicant).  To increase funding equity, applicants are eligible to receive a Basic Human Needs Emergency Assistance grant based on a “3 years on 1 year off policy”. Grantees are eligible to receive a grant for three consecutive years and will be ineligible the 4th year. Applicants will then be eligible to apply after year 4th. Organizations subject to this RFP’s 3 years on 1 year off policy are organizations reporting an average annual operating budget of $2.5 million or more. Exceptions might apply to organizations whose primary purpose or mission is to increase food security. The 3 years on 1 year off policy applies to 2022 BHN Emergency Assistance grantees. Requests from the Foundation’s entire service area will be considered. However, this RFP prioritizes serving vulnerable residents in Foundation towns where the percentage of households living under Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained and Employed (ALICE) or below the Federal Poverty Line is comparable to or higher than the State percentage. For more information, visit HFPG.

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 grant provides financial support to charitable organizations that meet the basic needs of underserved children, focusing on housing, clothing, food, and medical care.

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.

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 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 Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is pleased to announce a competitive grant opportunity to support nonprofits as they increase access to emergency services and immediate assistance for the most basic of human needs for vulnerable residents in Greater Hartford. Donor Name: Hartford Foundation for Public Giving State: Connecticut Town and City: Selected Towns and Cities Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/07/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Funding Information The Foundation welcomes requests of $1,000-$15,000 for individual projects and up to $20,000 for collaborative projects for items and/or services to be provided during a one-year time-period. Uses of funds Items and services may include food, personal care items, emergency financial aid, one-time medical device or medical aid assistance, immediate or informal case management services, or other critical basic needs you see in the community you serve. Proposal Requirements The Foundation is seeking requests to directly provide emergency services and assistance that address the most basic of human needs of Greater Hartford residents. Examples of emergency services and assistance might include one or more of the following: Food or food assistance Emergency clothing needs (e.g., shoes, school uniforms, coats) Personal care items (e.g., deodorant, diapers, sanitary products) Emergency financial assistance (e.g., rent and/or mortgage assistance and utility expense assistance, childcare assistance, bus fare/tokens, gas money) Emergency medical aid or immediate expense assistance (e.g., dental, medical, mental health supports, and prescription expenses) Aftercare programs for victims of domestic violence Emergency and/or informal case management services. Eligibility Criteria  Applications must be submitted by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Community groups can use an organization with a 501(c)(3) designation as a fiscal sponsor. Nonprofits may serve as a fiscal sponsor for multiple projects. Both the organization and program in the application should be in existence for at least one year prior to applying. For more information, visit Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

Applications are now being accepted for the Creating New Work Grant Program. Donor Name: Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation State: Connecticut City and Town: Selected Cities and Towns Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/01/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: Initiated in 2003, the foundation offers a special grant program designed to: Foster creativity in Greater Hartford by supporting local artists in the creation of new work. Foster collaborations between artists and arts organizations that benefit the artist, the organization and the community. Further the foundation’s mission to support and encourage excellence in the arts in Hartford and the immediately surrounding community. Grant Period The artist(s) must complete their project within 24 months of the grant award. Geographical Areas CNW is designed to support local artists. To be eligible, all artists affiliated with the project must primarily live or work on their art in: Hartford, Avon, Berlin, Bloomfield, East Granby, East Hartford, East Windsor, Ellington, Farmington, Glastonbury, Manchester, New Britain, Newington, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, South Windsor, Vernon, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor, and Windsor Locks. Who may apply? 501(c)(3) arts organizations in the foundation’s geographic giving area. The foundation gives priority to requests from organizations in the following cities and towns in Connecticut: Hartford, Bloomfield, East Hartford, Newington, West Hartford, Wethersfield and Windsor. Artists may not apply directly to the foundation but must seek out a partnering organization in the foundation’s geographic giving area. Organizations may apply for either the Creation of New Work grant or an Excellence in the Arts grant within a calendar year.  Should an organization’s Creation of New Work application be declined, it may apply for an Excellence in Arts grant in a subsequent cycle. Criteria for Selection Projects are judged on the following criteria: artistic excellence and potential of the project to advance the artist(s)’s work quality of the collaboration between the artist(s) and the organization potential impact on the benefit to the community The organization must demonstrate a clear plan for working with the artist(s) and be able to articulate the project’s benefit to the organization and the community. The sponsoring organization and artist must submit a post-grant report within six months of the close of the project. For more information, visit ECATRF.

This grant provides funding to empower Waterbury residents in leading initiatives that promote civic engagement, community cohesion, and neighborhood revitalization.