Connecticut Private Grants

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in specific U.S. communities to enhance literacy and STEAM education for children from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, focusing on equitable access and systemic barriers to learning.

This grant provides funding to U.S.-based non-profit organizations to support projects that promote Japanese arts and culture, particularly in areas with limited access to such events.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Connecticut for community-based programs in education, human services, and arts and culture, with a focus on serving areas outside of New Britain and Waterbury.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in New London that deliver educational, cultural, health, and human services programs to underserved communities.

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 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.

This grant provides funding to dairy processors, associations, packaging manufacturers, and educational institutions in the Northeast to support innovative projects that improve processing and packaging in the dairy industry.

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.

The Annual FirstClass Grant Program for Teachers is a grant opportunity for K-5 public school teachers in the towns of Stamford, Greenwich, Darien, Fairfield, New Canaan, Norwalk, Westport, and Bridgeport. The program aims to support creative educational programs that have a broad impact on an entire class or grade. Eligible programs include nature-based, astronomy, financial literacy, conservation, and environmentally focused initiatives. Requests for books, magazine subscriptions, school trips, and electronics are not eligible. The maximum grant amount is $1,000. Applications are accepted from September 1st to October 31st each year and require authorization from the school principal. For more information and to access the application form, please contact 203.462.4858 or email [email protected].

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, and Plymouth/Terryville, Connecticut, that focus on promoting health, youth development, and financial stability for individuals and families.

This grant provides financial support to small or all-volunteer organizations in Connecticut focused on projects or operational needs that promote equity and dismantle structural racism in Greater Hartford's Black and Latinx communities.

This grant provides funding to New England nonprofit organizations for touring projects that feature regional, national, or international artists, with a focus on community engagement and expanding access to the arts, particularly in rural and BIPOC communities.

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 funding opportunity provides financial support to local nonprofits in six Connecticut communities to enhance programs that directly benefit their residents.

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 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.

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.

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.

The Washington Trust Charitable Foundation awards grants to 501(c)(3) organizations located within its market area, covering Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and southeastern Connecticut. The Foundation's grants support a wide array of initiatives including affordable housing, business and economic development, youth and family services, health and human service organizations, arts and cultural institutions, educational entities, environmental groups, and scholarship programs. Notably, the Foundation contributes to local education through scholarships at Providence College, Bryant University, and the University of Rhode Island, facilitating students' access to higher education. The Foundation is a strong supporter of the United Way, reflecting its commitment to community welfare through employee contributions and volunteerism. Grant renewed every year. Annual deadline: October 1st. Grant awarded in January