Connecticut Women & Girl Services Grants

This grant provides funding to organizations that support quality health care and services for underserved senior women in Fairfield and New Haven Counties, Connecticut.

This funding initiative provides financial support to organizations that help underserved job seekers in Greater New Haven overcome barriers to employment and achieve sustainable careers.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations in the Greater New Haven area to support initiatives that enhance economic security for women and girls through workforce training, entrepreneurship, housing stability, and childcare solutions.

This program provides financial support of up to $25,000 to women-owned small businesses in Connecticut that have previously received WBDC funding and are seeking to expand their operations through targeted investments.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills that empower women and girls through advocacy, skill development, and services for victims of domestic violence.

This program provides training, mentorship, and resources to support early-stage food entrepreneurs in Connecticut, particularly those from communities of color and immigrant backgrounds, helping them launch and grow their food businesses.

This program provides financial assistance to licensed child care providers in Connecticut for urgent repairs needed to ensure safe operations.

This grant provides $10,000 to support impactful projects that benefit youth in the community, specifically targeting initiatives rather than general operating expenses.

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.

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 Women & Girls Fund assists women and girls with obtaining the skills and competencies to develop their potential and improve the quality of their lives. Donor Name: Main Street Community Foundation State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/06/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Women & Girls Fund seeks to deepen its impact by providing grants that will allow organizations to build internal capacity to ensure ongoing support of women and girls in the local communities. Applications will be accepted for program grants and capital requests that are related to a program that meets grant guidelines. Grantmaking Priorities  Preference will be given to grant requests that address the following needs: Services for Senior Women: Programs that provide supports to senior women to increase self-sufficiency such as – basic needs, financial literacy resources, and opportunities to decrease social isolation Confidence Building and Leadership: Programs that build self-esteem and self-reliance particularly in young girls and teens such as – programs that promote connections with a caring and stable adult, programs that promote financial literacy and life-skills, and programs that develop skills to be a successful leader in school, the community or in a career. Mental Health and Well-being: Programs that reduce anxiety and stress through non-clinical methods, teach mindfulness skills, and improve overall self-care and well-being for women of all ages. Eligibility Criteria  To be eligible for funding, organizations must meet the following criteria: Grants are made for a charitable purpose and must serve the public to be a charitable expenditure. Competitive Grants are awarded to 501(c)(3) not for profit organizations while grants to 170(c)(1) public or governmental units are considered on a case-by-case basis. Either the organization or the program for which funding is requested, must provide a service to the residents of at least one of the following communities: Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington, Wolcott. Strong documentation must be provided from out-of-area organizations that they serve individuals from the six-town service area. A Statement of Non-Discrimination Policy must be signed. Repeat requests from organizations are welcome. If an organization’s request for funding is approved three years in a row, the organization is asked to wait one year before submitting another request for funding. Follow up reports from all closed grants must have been completed and submitted to Main Street Community Foundation to be eligible for funding. Grantmaking Criteria Each request must include stated outcomes and criteria by which the program/project will be assessed. In general, grants are made for future, planned expenditures and not to cover operating deficits or previously incurred obligations. A proportionate amount of salaries, overhead expenses and transportation costs may be included in the program or project budget for which funding is being requested. Requests for capital expenditures will be given consideration if related to a project that meets the grant guidelines. The Main Street Community Foundation, at its sole discretion, may provide discretionary grants, challenge grants or grants which require matching funds. For more information, visit MSCF.

The Women’s Business Development Council is offering the Torrington Grant Program to help businesses in the City of Torrington, Connecticut grow. Donor Name: Women’s Business Development Council State: Connecticut County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The grant funds cannot be used towards operating expenses (e.g. inventory, on-going marketing expenses, salaries), real estate improvements (e.g. construction costs), reimbursement for past purchases or debt repayment. Funding Information Grants between $2,500 and $10,000 will be awarded. Eligibility Criteria To be eligible, the business must: Have been in business for at least two years (as of the date of your application submission) 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 registered in Connecticut Be located in Torrington, Connecticut and have a zoning permit from the City of Torrington 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 person that is at least 18 years old The following businesses are not eligible: Child care businesses are not eligible for the WBDC/Torrington Small Business Grant.  If your business is in the childcare industry, WBDC has other programs for you Any individual or business who has already received a grant from WBDC is 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-our-lease” or “going-out-of-business” or similar sale. For more information, visit WBDC.