Tolland Community Fund

The Tolland Community Fund at Greater Hartford Gives is a locally guided grantmaking initiative designed to support projects that enhance the wellbeing, vibrancy, and resilience of the Tolland, Connecticut community. The fund operates under the broader Greater Hartford Gives Foundation, which was established to empower residents with the resources to identify community needs and champion solutions within their own towns. Each community fund is overseen by a volunteer committee composed of local residents who bring firsthand knowledge of community conditions and priorities. These committees are responsible for reviewing applications and recommending funding for projects that address both emerging challenges and longstanding disparities. The purpose of this Request for Proposals is to solicit project-based funding requests that directly benefit Tolland residents. The fund emphasizes community-centered, responsive, and feasible initiatives that can be completed within a one-year grant period. Applicants are expected to clearly articulate how their proposed project addresses a defined local need, engages or benefits residents, and contributes to a stronger, healthier, or more connected community. The program prioritizes initiatives that align with identified community needs, particularly in the areas of mental health, food insecurity, and community building, as supported by regional data sources such as the Tolland Town Equity Report and 2-1-1 service data. Funding through this opportunity is intended to support a wide range of allowable activities, including direct service programs, community events, and initiatives that improve access to resources. Projects may include reasonable administrative or overhead costs, but funds may not be used for expenses incurred prior to the award date. All grants are one-year awards, and recipients are required to complete a final report within 13 months of the award date or at the conclusion of the project period, whichever occurs first. The fund may issue partial awards depending on available resources and the competitiveness of applications. Eligibility for funding includes organizations with 501(c)(3) status, private operating foundations, and organizations working under a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) designation. Municipalities and local government agencies may also apply for projects not typically funded by public revenue. Religious organizations are eligible only for non-religious programming that does not attempt to influence participants’ beliefs. Resident-led groups may apply if partnered with a qualified fiscal sponsor. Ineligible applicants include individuals without organizational affiliation, for-profit businesses, and organizations engaged in partisan political work. The application process requires submission of the Community Funds Common Grant Application through the foundation’s online grant portal. Applicants must review the Request for Proposals in full prior to submission and complete all required components, including organizational information, project details, budget documentation, populations served, and evaluation plans. Each eligible entity may submit one application per town per cycle, although organizations may apply to multiple towns if their projects serve residents in each respective area. Applicants must ensure compliance with all necessary licenses and approvals required to implement their projects. The timeline for this funding opportunity begins with the release of the Request for Proposals on May 15, 2026, and concludes with the application deadline of July 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Following submission, applications will undergo a review period extending from July 1 through October 1, 2026, with grant award notifications expected in October 2026. The program does not include a pre-application phase such as a letter of intent, and applications must be fully completed and submitted by the stated deadline. Applicants are encouraged to submit early to avoid technical issues. For additional support, applicants may contact the Tolland Community Fund Committee for questions related to project fit or community priorities, or the foundation’s grants support team for technical assistance with the application portal. This grant opportunity is part of a recurring community funding model, with future cycles expected annually to continue supporting locally driven solutions that improve quality of life for Tolland residents.

Align proposal clearly with Tolland community priorities especially mental health food insecurity and community building demonstrate direct resident impact and feasibility within one year