Connecticut Workforce Development Grants

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations that create hands-on STEAM workshops for underserved youth, enhancing technical skills and career exploration opportunities within the Best Buy Teen Tech Centers network.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and schools in select U.S. states for programs focused on workforce development in advanced manufacturing and environmental sustainability initiatives.

This grant provides $750,000 over three years to early career cancer researchers in the greater New York City area, enabling them to pursue innovative and high-risk projects while fostering collaborations and networking opportunities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for individual artists in New England to pursue professional development experiences that enhance their public art practices and promote equity in public spaces.

The Public Art Learning Fund aims to strengthen the field of public art in New England by providing professional development support directly to artists. Donor Name: New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 09/16/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: Through the Public Art Learning Fund, NEFA intends to foster the continued development of more equitable, inclusive, and vibrant public spaces and public life throughout New England. The Public Art Learning Fund aims to strengthen the public art field in the region by supporting artists in further developing the skills, resources, and connections they need to build a more vibrant and equitable community of practice in the region. Learning in partnership with grantees, NEFA strives to learn how we may be able to better support a more equitable and sustainable public art ecosystem throughout the region. Funding Priorities Public Art Learning Fund equips artists with skills, resources, and connections to strengthen public art practices that contribute to more equitable, inclusive, and vibrant public spaces and public life throughout New England. The Public Art Learning Fund gives priority to timely opportunities that are: Specifically expanding an artist’s public art practice. NEFA will look for clarity on desired learnings and application to artist’s public art practice. Equitably contributing to more just and inclusive public artmaking in the region. Artists at various stages in their public artmaking practice from urban, suburban, and rural communities across all six states in New England are welcome to apply. NEFA values diverse cultural and artistic expressions as essential to more equitable and vibrant public spaces and recognizes that some artists may experience barriers to accessing professional development opportunities due to race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, class, age, and geography. The Public Art Learning Fund intends to prioritize equity in funding opportunities. This may include but is not limited to prioritizing artists who self-identify as Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) and/or are rooted in rural communities. Funding Information The Public Art Learning Fund provides grants of $500 to $ 3000. For opportunities that take place January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025. Eligibility Criteria Applicant must be an artist who resides full-time and makes work in one of the six New England States (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) Applicant must be an artist whose artistic practice engages the public realm or who can demonstrate that they are in the process of expanding their artistic practice towards public artmaking Applicant must have a Creative Ground profile. Proposed professional development opportunity must: specifically relate to strengthening the applicant artist’s own public art practice take place during the grant period For more information, visit NEFA.

The Child Health Research Awards Program by the Charles H. Hood Foundation aims to advance child health by providing grant support to newly independent faculty within New England-based pediatric researchers. The program offers two-year grants of $200,000 ($100,000 per year inclusive of 10% indirects) to researchers who are within five (PhD scientists) or seven (physician-scientists) years of employment following completion of training. The grants support hypothesis-driven clinical, basic science, public health, health services research, and epidemiology projects focused on child health. Application deadlines occur in the spring and fall of each year, with funding beginning every January 1st and July 1st. For complete eligibility requirements and application guidelines, visit CharlesHoodFoundation.org.

This grant provides funding to organizations and businesses in the Northeast to develop and expand dairy workforce training programs, enhancing opportunities for current and potential employees in the dairy industry.

This funding opportunity supports conservation projects that provide employment and training for young adults and veterans, helping them gain experience in environmental stewardship and resource management on public lands.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that assist migrant and seasonal farmworkers with employment services, training, and housing solutions.

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 Northeast SARE Professional Development Grant program funds projects that develop the knowledge, awareness, skills and attitudes of agricultural and other service providers about sustainable agriculture practices to teach, advise or assist farmers. Donor Name: Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 4 Years Details: An agricultural service provider is a professional who assists farmers. Projects that develop the ability of other service providers (for example, real estate agents, bankers, and attorneys) to work with farmers are also eligible. These service providers then use what they’ve learned through participation in project activities in their work with farmers. A wide variety of topics can be funded by Northeast SARE, including marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, urban and Indigenous agriculture and much more. Other aspects of projects funded through the Northeast SARE program include those that address climate-smart agriculture practices intended to improve ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change; increase carbon sequestration; and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate-smart practices include reduced and no-till, cover crops, prescribed grazing, ruminant feed management, manure management, fertilizer management, and on-farm energy efficiency. In addition, projects may address traditional ecological knowledge. Funding Information Awards typically range from $30,000 to $150,000. Project Duration Typical project length is 2 to 3 years. The maximum project length allowed is 3.5 years. Geographical Focus  The Northeast region includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. Eligibility Criteria  Professional Development Grants are open to anyone who works with service providers and farmers, including personnel at nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, Cooperative Extension, municipalities, tribal governments, state departments of agriculture, federal agencies, research farms and experiment stations, and for-profit business entities (such as farms, private consultants, veterinary practices and other businesses that serve the farming community). Northeast SARE encourages projects submitted from or in collaboration with women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). Additionally, they encourage projects submitted from or in collaboration with Minority Serving Institutions (including 1890s and other historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and tribal colleges and universities) and other organizations in the Northeast that work with historically underserved communities. Your organization must have the legal structure and financial capacity to receive and implement a Northeast SARE contract, including expending funds needed for the project prior to receiving reimbursements from Northeast SARE; advance payments are not possible. Projects must take place within the Northeast region. Applicants and host organizations may be located outside of the Northeast region if the project activities and the farmers served are located within the Northeast region. For more information, visit Northeast SARE.

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)

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 Connecticut communities for projects that increase urban tree cover and improve environmental sustainability, particularly in underserved areas.

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

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations that support programs aimed at improving the quality of life, self-sufficiency, and community impact for men and boys in specific towns in 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 grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and municipalities in Connecticut to improve community services in areas such as education, healthcare, and environmental conservation.