Connecticut Community Development Grants

The Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) Phase 41, created in 1983, aims to supplement and expand the work of local social service agencies to assist individuals facing economic emergencies. Funded through the Department of Homeland Security, EFSP provides federal grants to organizations helping the hungry and homeless. The grants are intended to support feeding, sheltering (including transitional sheltering), and rent/mortgage and utility assistance efforts. Local Recipient Organizations (LROs) are selected by local boards based on the highest need and best use of funds. The program period is from October 1, 2022, to December 31, 2024.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Connecticut-based organizations and businesses for developing infrastructure that strengthens the local food supply chain, focusing on enhancing the processing, storage, and distribution of regionally produced food products.

This grant provides funding for projects that improve the ecological health of Long Island Sound, targeting local organizations, governments, and communities engaged in habitat restoration, water quality enhancement, and environmental education within the watershed.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations that provide stable housing and empower low- and moderate-income communities, focusing on vulnerable populations such as working families, youth, seniors, and veterans.

This program provides funding to organizations in New England for projects that preserve and share the diverse histories of their communities through the conservation of buildings, landscapes, and collections.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for one-day fundraising events in Connecticut, with applications accepted on a rolling basis depending on funding availability. Nonprofits and community groups can receive sponsorships for in-person, virtual, or hybrid events, with a focus on encouraging resident engagement in New Haven, Hamden, West Haven, and East Haven. The Foundation's minimum eligibility requirements must be met by all applicants.

This grant provides funding for nonprofit organizations and community groups in Enfield, Connecticut, to support projects that address local needs and promote inclusivity and equity among residents.

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.

This funding opportunity is designed to support new nonprofit organizations in Middlesex County that are working on initiatives related to racial equity, education, financial stability, housing, wellness, and youth development.

The Greater Worcester Community Foundation's 2024 Community Grant Program is designed to be responsive and flexible, utilizing trust-based philanthropic principles to support projects in Arts & Creativity, Basic Needs, and Economic Opportunity. This approach aims to reduce applicant burden, foster interactive engagement, and facilitate diverse storytelling, aligning with the Foundation's mission to strengthen the community by investing in critical areas that enhance the quality of life for Worcester County residents. The program seeks to build and support a diverse arts and culture ecosystem, ensure all residents have food and shelter, and create economic opportunities through English Language Learning and Job Training & Financial Literacy programs. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are primarily residents of Worcester County. The Foundation seeks to impact these residents by addressing pressing community needs through creative and innovative solutions. For Arts & Creativity, the goal is to foster a strong and inclusive arts and culture environment. In Basic Needs, the focus is on ensuring fundamental necessities like food and shelter are accessible to all. Economic Opportunity initiatives aim to empower individuals through education and skill-building, ultimately enhancing financial stability and independence within the community. The program's priorities and focus areas are distinctly defined. Arts & Creativity projects are aimed at developing a diverse and strong arts and culture ecosystem where all feel a sense of belonging. Basic Needs initiatives are dedicated to guaranteeing that all community residents have access to food and shelter. Economic Opportunity programs concentrate on English Language Learning, Job Training, and Financial Literacy to uplift individuals and families. The Foundation emphasizes organizational commitment to equity, community voice, and systems disruption, underscoring its strategic priorities to address root causes and promote systemic change. Expected outcomes include projects that demonstrate feasibility within the $2,500-$25,000 grant range, create significant access and barrier reduction for Worcester County residents, and offer creative or innovative solutions to identified community needs. Projects are also expected to have measurable and manageable goals and outcomes aligned with the specified focus areas. The Foundation's theory of change appears to be centered on empowering community-serving organizations that are sound financially and operationally, fostering authentic partnerships, and driving meaningful, unduplicated services to achieve sustainable positive change for Worcester County residents.

This funding opportunity provides financial resources to local public and private non-profit agencies in Connecticut, Texas, and Wyoming to improve juvenile justice systems and support at-risk youth in alignment with federal core requirements.

The Miami Foundation's Arts Access Catalyst Grant Program aims to bridge disparities in arts education across the Miami-Dade region, leveraging data from artlook® Miami to inform its strategy. This initiative directly aligns with the Foundation's mission to foster stronger arts partnerships within the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) ecosystem. The program's theory of change is rooted in the belief that by investing in organizations that prioritize access, equity, collaboration, and data-driven approaches, they can significantly enhance arts education opportunities for young people, ultimately leading to improved educational outcomes and community well-being. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are Miami-Dade County young people, with a particular focus on those facing marginalization due to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, mixed-abilities, or other lines of difference. The program's impact goals are to increase access to arts education opportunities, advance equity within the arts landscape, and promote collaborative efforts between arts organizations and M-DCPS schools. By supporting projects that engage youth in the arts and demonstrate clear strategies for increasing access, the Foundation seeks to create a more inclusive and vibrant arts education environment. For this grant cycle, the Foundation prioritizes organizations focused on artist residencies and professional development, dance and theater, and addressing school needs. Key priorities include a strong emphasis on access to arts education, advancing equity, and fostering collaboration. The Foundation also stresses the importance of using data directly from artlook Miami to guide and inform projects, ensuring that interventions are evidence-based and responsive to actual community needs. Additionally, grassroots organizations with annual budgets under $750,000 are prioritized, recognizing their potential for deep community engagement and the need for support in navigating school partnerships. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in youth participation in arts education programs, stronger partnerships between arts organizations and M-DCPS schools, and a more equitable distribution of arts opportunities across Miami-Dade County. The grant provides $20,000 distributed over a two-year cycle, with the Foundation reviewing grantees' progress to ensure ongoing alignment and optimal use of funds before confirming second-year funding. The grant period spans from August 2024 to June 2025 for Year 1, and July 2025 to June 2026 for Year 2, allowing for sustained impact and the development of long-term initiatives.

This funding opportunity supports grassroots community groups with limited resources to launch new environmental projects or significantly shift existing ones, focusing on those that amplify diverse voices and address environmental justice issues.

The Town of Trumbull is allocating $100,000 in ARPA funding to support community-based organizations and nonprofits serving Trumbull residents. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits operating legally in Connecticut or community-based organizations with a fiscal sponsor. Funds are aimed at addressing the COVID-19 public health and economic response, focusing on public health impacts and economic harms to households, small businesses, nonprofits, impacted industries, and the public sector. Applications are due by July 31, 2024, with funding decisions announced by August 31, 2024. Program funds are not to replace other federal, state, or local ARPA assistance and must be used exclusively for projects, programs, and services within Trumbull. The maximum grant award is $20,000, and all funds must be expended by June 30, 2025. Indirect costs are limited to 15% of the total funding request. Funded organizations are required to submit mid-term and final reports detailing expenses and progress.

This program provides funding for municipalities and nonprofit organizations in Connecticut to implement small-scale projects that improve community living for residents, particularly those aged 50 and older.

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 Thomaston Savings Bank Phase II Grant Program is an annual initiative by the Thomaston Savings Bank Foundation, Inc., designed to enhance the lives of community members in Litchfield County, Connecticut. The Foundation is deeply committed to addressing the human and material needs of the community, aligning its mission with a broader goal of improving the quality of life for its neighbors through dedicated grant programs and community outreach initiatives. This grant cycle specifically targets local nonprofit and government agencies that demonstrate significant local impact within the designated geographic areas. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are local nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and government agencies. Religious organizations may also be considered if their programming supports community needs and falls within the priority focus areas. The impact goals are centered on assisting organizations that address critical community needs within specific towns, aiming to foster positive change and improve overall well-being. The Foundation seeks to support initiatives that will have a tangible and meaningful effect on the lives of residents in these communities. The program's priorities and focus areas are clearly defined to ensure alignment with the Foundation's strategic objectives. These include Arts & Culture, Community Development, Education & Youth Services, Health & Human Services, and Public Safety. Grant applications are carefully considered based on how well an organization's mission or services align with these identified priority areas. The geographic areas of focus are Bethlehem, Harwinton, Plymouth/Terryville, Thomaston, Torrington, and Watertown/Oakville, ensuring that the grants directly benefit the communities served by Thomaston Savings Bank. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the Foundation's strategic priorities imply an expectation of improved community well-being and enhanced quality of life within the supported towns. The theory of change suggests that by investing in organizations that address these critical focus areas, the Foundation will contribute to stronger, healthier, and more vibrant communities. The program explicitly states what it generally does not invest in, such as individuals, endowment campaigns, lobbying, political activities, religious purposes, other foundations, and discriminatory organizations, which further refines its strategic approach to grantmaking and ensures resources are directed towards its core mission.

The Ledyard Rotary Foundation offers annual grants targeting community organizations within the local area, emphasizing support for emergency relief, educational enhancements, quality of life improvements, health care access and quality enhancements, and addressing social problems. This initiative aims to benefit the residents of Ledyard and southeastern Connecticut but is also open to supporting state, national, and international programs. Grant renewed every year. Grant annual deadline: May 15th