The Fund for Greater Hartford seeks to make a sustainable impact on the vitality of Connecticut's capital region by being a catalyst for hope, inspiration and creativity and by improving the lives of its people, especially its children.
what we do
THE FUND FOR GREATER HARTFORD, a private, independent foundation, provides funding to nonprofit organizations which are creative in approach, obtain cost effective, measurable outcomes and apply best practices in program implementation. The Fund makes grants primarily in support of education, the arts, community development, health and social services, with an emphasis on programs benefiting children, youth and families. Grants in the area of the arts will be made only for outreach or education programs for children or families. (The aggregate amount of these arts grants will be limited annually.)
THE FUND UNDERWRITES A PROGRAM OF SECONDARY SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP AID at Watkinson, East Catholic and Northwest Catholic High Schools for Hispanic students of limited financial means who live in Hartford. Interested students are invited to call the schools or the Fund for more information.
SMALL GRANTS are available in late fall for holiday projects and in spring for Hartford summertime recreation and education programs. Application for these seasonal grants does not entail the usual formal procedure. A brief form is available for summer requests; applications must be submitted by March 1.
about the grants
Grants may be awarded in support of program, capital and operating expenses, for seed money and as challenge or matching grants.
Most grants are single year awards, with the exception of capital grants which typically are multi-year commitments. Two year grants will be considered for new projects that need more than one year to develop and show results. In general, applicants will be awarded funds in no more than two successive years.
An applicant cannot be considered for funding more than once in any twelve month period in order that the Fund may fairly address the many requests for support which it receives each year.
In reviewing requests for grants, Fund Trustees will take into account the extent to which the applicant agency has demonstrated an ability to actively promote, support and encourage diversity in its governing boards, in its work force and in the constituencies it attracts and serves. In the interests of promoting responsible advocacy, the Trustees will also consider the applicant’s role as an advocate for its constituency.
The Fund for Greater Hartford serves
Andover, Avon, Bloomfield, Bolton, Canton, Cromwell, East Granby, East Hartford, East Windsor, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Glastonbury, Granby, Hartford, Hebron, Manchester, Marlborough, Middletown, New Britain, Newington, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, Somers, South Windsor, Suffield, Tolland, Vernon, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor, Windsor Locks
The policies of The Fund for Greater Hartford do not allow funding of
- Organizations which are not tax exempt under IRS Code section 501(c) (3)
- Organizations which have the IRS Private Foundation designation
- Individuals
- Endowment funds
- Religious institutions, other than for their provision of non-sectarian community services
- Capital projects related to the arts
- Performances, conferences, trips, one-time events
- Annual campaigns.
how to apply
An organization wishing to apply for a grant from The Fund for Greater Hartford must submit its request using a Fund for Greater Hartford application form and attaching specified ancillary materials, including
- Verification of IRS Code status
- List of current funders and level of support of each
- Most recent income and expense statement, audited if possible
- Program report for the most recent year
- Description of program for which funding is being sought, including
- Evidence of need for program
- Measurable outcomes
- Program activities
- Detailed budget
- Timetable
- Evaluation Plan
- Future Funding Plan
Before a funding request is referred to the Board of Trustees for consideration, it will be reviewed by Fund staff. Such review may involve meeting with the grant applicant, visiting the project site, and talking with other agencies and individuals who are knowledgeable about the need which the applicant addresses.
Grant recipients are expected to demonstrate in all aspects of their operations full compliance with legislation prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual preference, or disability.
application deadlines
Applications are considered by the twelve-member Board of Trustees at its quarterly meetings in February, May, September, and November. Completed grant application packets must be received at the office of The Fund for Greater Hartford by 3 p.m. on the quarterly deadline day in order to be considered in the upcoming quarter. If the deadline date falls on a weekend or holiday, packets must reach the Fund by the last business day before the deadline date. Applicants are urged to submit application packets well before the deadline.
Deadlines are
December 15 March 15
June 15 September 15
The staff of The Fund for Greater Hartford will be happy to advise and assist any organization planning to apply for a grant of funds. Questions and correspondence may be directed to
The Fund for Greater Hartford
Kate Miller, Executive Director
543 Prospect Avenue
Hartford, CT 06105-2922
Telephone: (860) 232-3113e-mail: kmiller@fundforgreaterhartford.org
