Connecticut Workforce Development Grants

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 grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and municipalities in Connecticut to support initiatives in education, housing, healthcare, and community services that improve local quality of life.

This program provides financial assistance to small businesses in Middlesex County, Connecticut, to help them sustain and grow their operations.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit projects that enhance civic participation and community engagement for residents of Avon, aiming to create a more inclusive and equitable town.

This program provides financial support to licensed child care businesses in Connecticut to help them expand their operations and increase enrollment capacity, particularly those serving infants and toddlers in underserved communities.

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.

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 Men & Boys’ Fund seeks to support local nonprofit organizations that are working to improve the lives of men and boys in the area of education, health and wellness, leadership, life skills and workforce readiness, with a focus on self-sufficiency. 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: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Main Street Community Foundation, Inc. is a community foundation serving Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Wolcott. Programs and policies of the Foundation continually evolve in order to remain responsive to the community. Eligibility Criteria  To be eligible for funding from the Men & Boys’ Fund, organizations must meet the following criteria: Grants are made for a charitable purpose and must serve the public to be a charitable expenditure. General Competitive Grants are awarded to 501(c)(3) not for profit organizations and 170(c)(1) public or governmental units. Either the organization or the program for which funding is requested, must provide a service to males of any age in the towns of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and/or Wolcott. Strong documentation must be provided from out-of-area agencies that they serve individuals from the six- town service area, and such requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. A Statement of Non-Discrimination Policy must be signed. Repeat requests from agencies are certainly 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 returned to Main Street Community Foundation. If they have not, the organization will not be eligible for funding. For more information, visit MSCF.

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.

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 Program Enhancement Project for Adult Education, as part of the AEFLA Section 231 Comprehensive Adult Education Services, aims to expand and enhance educational programs for adults in Connecticut. With an emphasis on improving basic skills and literacy, the project facilitates effective participation in society and the workforce. It supports a variety of activities including adult literacy, workplace education, family literacy, and English language acquisition, among others. This initiative, funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), encourages collaborations to avoid service duplication, address local needs, and ensure seamless educational transitions. The project is open for proposals from eligible agencies with the intent to award multi-year grants, ensuring sustained impact from fiscal year 2025 through 2028. Grant renewed every year. It will be a 4-year program ( last application probably around May 2027)