Search Through Arts Grants for Nonprofits in Connecticut in the U.S.

American Savings Foundation

American Savings Foundation is a permanent charitable endowment which provides grants to local nonprofit organizations, in addition to college scholarships to area students. The Foundation is a broad-based funder dedicated to improving the quality of life for the residents of the communities we serve. This is our lasting commitment.

Funding Priorities

The Foundation is a broad-based funder, with a special emphasis on the needs of children, youth and families. Our general funding priorities are Education, Human Services and Arts & Culture. These are not rigid categories, and many of our grants overlap more than one. We focus on direct service programs that help those with highest need, and where our funding can make a direct, measurable impact. Our Grant History helps grantseekers understand our priorities.

Capital Grants

Capital grants support projects that are closely aligned with American Savings Foundation’s mission, and the needs of the community. 

Guidelines

The Foundation focuses its limited capital grants funding towards one-time capital needs that are essential to direct program services in New Britain and Waterbury. Agencies serving communities outside New Britain and Waterbury are encouraged to use the Community Grants application to apply for capital needs up to $5,000, or to submit a Letter of Intent (below) for larger requests (typically up to $10,000). Visit our Grant History page for a list of recent capital grants.

Grassroots Grants

At the heart of every strong community are individuals who are passionate about making a difference right where they live. Our grassroots grant program is designed to empower residents by offering funding to community leaders for projects that strengthen Waterbury and its neighborhoods. 

Our approach focuses on:

• Supporting equitable efforts to revitalize communities, influence local systems and foster youth leadership
• Supporting a robust and collaborative network of multi-generational residents in Waterbury who are working together toward a shared vision
• Expanding the availability of tools and resources that support organizing efforts and increase the connection between organizers in Waterbury with the rest of the region, state, and country

Efforts we support include:

• Local Efforts -Supporting equitable efforts to revitalize communities, influence local systems and foster leadership within the City of Waterbury.
• Collaboration – Supporting a robust and collaborative network of multi-generational residents in Waterbury who are working together toward a shared vision.
• Providing Resources – Expanding the availability of tools and resources for community members.
• Grassroots Groups – Prioritizing smaller, resident-led groups working to impact Waterbury with budgets under $100,000.

Possible Projects Examples

• Voter registration drive
• A series of workshops or training
• Food, materials, and resource distribution
• Community Garden
• Public art project 

Funding

The average grant size is $5,000 – $7,000. 

Who We Are

The Creag Foundation is a private grant making foundation established in 2009 in Woodinville, Washington.

The founders of the Creag Foundation believe that meaningful change can only be achieved through hard work, creativity and passion. They also understand the practical mechanisms that allow charitable organizations to succeed and grow. As a group, Creag Foundation principals are dedicated to helping today’s most innovative programs improve the human condition in a wide variety of ways.

Our Focus

The broad purpose of the Foundation is to support the efforts of nonprofit organizations who are innovators in the field of human services. Our particular focus is on smaller organizations that are starting out or established organizations that are looking for funding to take their organization in a new direction.

What We Fund

/ What We Fund

The Creag Foundation is focused on innovation in the industry. We will consider proposals from 501(c)(3) organizations that are finding new ways to address societal issues facing the nonprofit community. Applicants must have held 501(c)(3) status for one year before submitting. If your organization has held 501(c)(3) status for over a year, and your believe that your organization has a new approach to an existing social problem or is addressing a previously unaddressed social issue, you are welcome to contact us and request that we consider your organization for a funding opportunity.

Vision

To promote wellness and access to opportunities so that individuals and communities can thrive.

Grounded in our work in Connecticut and New York, we support visionary leaders and nonprofit organizations that serve historically marginalized populations, help individuals contribute to their communities, and champion advancements and experiences that make it possible for all people to live healthy and joyous lives.

Our Story

The Tow Foundation was established in 1988 by Leonard and Claire Tow as a way to give back to the communities that shaped them.

Leonard and Claire’s three children, Andrew, Emily and Frank, joined the board of directors soon after its inception, and our initial investments were largely guided by the personal passions of the boardroom. With a focus on New York, our earliest grants went to innovative projects in the fields of medical research and higher education.

As our organization evolved, so did our areas of support. Emily Tow was hired as the Foundation’s president and first full-time staff member in 1995. Motivated by the belief that every child deserves an opportunity to thrive, our grantmaking expanded to include nonprofits with a focus on youth justice. As the years went by, the transformative power of theater and performing arts led us to add culture as a core area of interest.

Today, our five primary impact areas are

• Arts and culture,
• Higher education,
• Civic engagement,
• Equity and justice
• Medicine and public health.

What We Fund - Justice Initiatives

We must address the harm caused by unfair systems and work to build new ones grounded in equity and justice. To realize a future in which all people are healthy, safe, and free to lead a fulfilling life, there must be a commitment to racial equity and justice.

We invest in work at the policy-change level to end mass incarceration, mass criminalization, and other harmful systems. We also fund direct service organizations working to support and empower individuals and families who have been impacted by these systems.

• Advocacy, organizing, and coalition-building, led by directly impacted leaders
• Initiatives that affirm the humanity and dignity of people who are incarcerated and remove barriers to their success
• Opportunities, care, and resources for individuals impacted by the criminal legal system
• Cross-disciplinary, intersectional approaches to achieving equity and justice

Mission

The mission of the Hearst Foundations is to identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States can build healthy, productive and satisfying lives. Through its grantmaking, the Hearst Foundations support well-established nonprofit organizations that address significant issues within their major areas of focus—culture, education, health and social service—and that primarily serve large demographic and/or geographic constituencies. In each area of funding, the Foundations seek to identify those organizations achieving truly differentiated results relative to other organizations making similar efforts for similar populations. The Foundations also look for evidence of sustainability beyond their support.

Whether providing a scholarship to a deserving student, supporting a rural health clinic or bringing artists into schools so children can see firsthand the beauty of the arts, the Foundations’ focus is consistent: to help those in need, those underserved and those underrepresented in society. Since the Foundations were formed in the 1940s, the scale and capabilities of the grant making have changed, but the mission has not.

Culture Grant

The Hearst Foundations fund cultural institutions that offer meaningful programs in the arts and sciences, prioritizing those that enable engagement by young people and create a lasting and measurable impact. The Foundations also fund select programs nurturing and developing artistic talent. Supported organizations include arts schools, ballets, museums, operas, performing arts centers, symphonies and theaters.

Funding Priorities in Culture

In the recent past, 25% of total funding has been allocated to Culture. Organizations with budgets over $10 million have received 60% of the funding in Culture.

The Hearst Foundations are only able to fund approximately 25% of all grant requests, of which about 80% is directed to prior grantees and about 20% is targeted toward new grantees.

Types of Support

Program, capital and, on a limited basis, general and endowment support

The Hartford Foundation For Public Giving - Together for Good

As Greater Hartford’s community foundation, we are a public, grantmaking organization bringing together dedicated individuals, businesses and nonprofits to understand local challenges, share information and put resources behind solutions that can improve the quality of life for those both in our region and across the state of Connecticut.

We are fortunate to share a vision of Greater Hartford with many who are working to build a more equitable and resilient place to live, work and play. The barriers to success are longstanding, systemic and persistent. We are naming them and have an approach to address them by combining our financial resources, the talents of our team, and our wide-ranging community partnerships. Together, we will grow and share opportunity in a way that benefits everyone in the Hartford region.

Investing In Our Community

We partner with nonprofits to build a stronger and more equitable Greater Hartford. Our grantmaking addresses systemic issues and responds to evolving needs in our community.

The Hartford Foundation works with nonprofit organizations to bring about lasting change in our community. Our grantmaking both addresses major issues affecting our community and responds to evolving community needs.

Regular Grants

An organization may be eligible to apply for one regular grant every three years, selecting its highest priority from one of the following grant types: 

Program/Project

Grants that support new programs, demonstration projects, studies, or surveys that do not commit the Foundation to recurring costs. These grants provide funding for one to three years and may also be used to enhance, expand or strengthen existing programs, services and organizational capacity.

Continuation

Additional funding provided at the end of a grant to help an organization reach project outcomes that were not met within the original schedule. Continuation grants can last up to two years and are only for projects that meet certain criteria, such as those that address high-priority community issues.

Capital Grants

Grants supporting capital improvements, such as building purchase, construction or renovation, or capital equipment purchase. The Foundation generally supports a capital or building campaign once.

General Operating Support

Grants that support an organization’s ongoing activities and stability, as outlined in its strategic plan. Funding can be used at the organization’s discretion. These grants are an option for organizations with budgets over $200,000. Eligibility is highly competitive, and organizations must be in sound financial condition.

• General Operating Support Grants: FAQs
• General Operating Support Grant Application Process

Transitional Operating Support Grants

In special circumstances, these grants help well-run nonprofits that have experienced unexpected income gaps to continue important programs or close down operations.

Priority is given to programs that provide: 

• Critical basic human needs, such as food and shelter, to indigent and working poor. 
• Services other than basic human needs, such as health, education, literacy and legal services, to vulnerable and disadvantaged populations.
• Services that make a major impact on quality of life and/or the region’s economy, such as arts and culture, workforce development and economic development.

Nordson Corporation Foundation

The Nordson Corporation Foundation awards grants to non-profits in our communities throughout the United States. Since 1989, the Foundation has awarded more than $60 million in grants to improve the quality of life in our communities, placing a special focus on causes related to education. Employees support the foundation by making donations during our annual A Time to Give Campaign, or by participating in a Community Affairs Committee (CAC). Committees review grant applications and vote to distribute Foundation funds to deserving local causes. During the last financial year, the Foundation gave out 362 grants totaling $6.3 million.

Nordson Foundation Giving Strategies

The geographic areas in which Nordson has major facilities determine the Nordson Foundation's giving priorities.

Within these geographic areas, granting priorities are driven by community needs. Although needs change quickly, our vision is long term. We pursue and support results-oriented opportunities that prepare individuals for full and equal participation in the economic and social mainstream. We believe these kinds of programs help improve the quality of life over the long term and produce stronger, more enlightened communities in which we live and work. We strive to fulfill these responsibilities in our communities through contributions to charitable activities with a focus on education. Other major giving categories that are supported are human welfare, civic affairs and arts and culture. 

Nordson Foundation Values 

In the spirit of our corporate founders, the Nordson Corporation Foundation continues to operate on the belief that business, as a corporate citizen, has a social responsibility to share its success with the communities where it operates, and employees live.

We pursue results-oriented opportunities that prepare individuals to thrive in strong, vibrant communities. While Nordson funds a variety of nonprofit program areas, our primary focus is education and offers support to non-profit organizations that cultivate educational curriculum and experiences that foster job readiness and paths to aspire to higher education. 

The Nordson Foundation offers support to non-profit organizations that cultivate educational curriculum and experiences that foster self-sufficiency, job readiness and goals to aspire to higher education. The Foundation is well aware of the fact that for non-profit organizations to remain viable they must receive operating support. With this in mind, Nordson Corporation Foundation does invest in general operating support.  

As stewards of the Foundation assets, the directors feel strongly that the organizations that are supported by the Foundation be able to measure the effectiveness of their mission and programs. Quantitative and/or qualitative data allows for the Foundation to ensure that the organizations it supports are bringing about the desired outcomes in our communities.

Nordson Foundation Goals

The goals of the Nordson Corporation Foundation are to insure that:

• All children have access to and receive quality educational experiences from early childhood  
• All individuals have the opportunity to be self-sufficient members of society 
• There is a continuum of quality educational opportunities 
• Our communities are strengthened by the organizations we fund whether their focus is education, human welfare, civic or arts and culture

Nordson Foundation Funding Strategy

Through its grant-making, the Foundation supports organizations that directly or indirectly seek to maximize success before, during and beyond the traditional classroom years. Grants will be reviewed and considered on the basis of their enrichment to the communities where our employees live and work. Organizations and programs receiving grants will be expected to identify relevant, measurable outcomes to demonstrate the effectiveness of their programs.

Education

• Early Childhood Care and Education
• Maximizing Student Success
• Access to quality educational opportunities
• Innovative programs
• Partnerships/collaborations with school districts
• Funding gaps not covered by public monies
• Augmenting core curriculum
• Exposure to programs that expand on traditional education
• Workforce Preparation
• Initial preparation for the world of work
• Retraining for the new job market
• Strengthening our communities

Human Welfare

• Promote prevention and lifestyle maintenance programs and activities
• Promote crisis intervention
• Promote life transition opportunities
• Promote systemic change

Arts and Culture

• Actively seek to broaden the audience bases in Nordson communities
• Support the visual and performing arts
• Provide educational enrichment for students
• Motivation for at-risk youth
• Provide access to the arts for special needs audience
• Promote greater understanding among people via the arts

Civic

• Work to improve the physical or economic environment
• Provide cultural or historical preservation
• Strive to inform citizens and increase their participation in community improvement

Our Mission

The Foundation’s mission is to utilize its assets to assist any not-for-profit organization seeking to promote the arts or create programs that inspire, engage, and teach.

We hope that someday the arts will no longer be considered a school elective or an interest for the few but a necessity for living a full life and for the health of our hearts and minds. 

Through our partnerships in the community, we are utilizing the arts to harness its extraordinary power to inspire, raise educational outcomes for students, and enrich the overall quality of life in marginalized communities.

We believe that there is a great synergy in combining the talents of musicians, museum educators, nonprofit arts advocates, actors, teachers, and writers. We believe that the arts, in all forms, have significant intrinsic societal value and can take on multiple roles in youth education for healthy brain and social development. 

In keeping with our mission, the Foundation values and will support organizations protecting and utilizing nature to enrich peoples’ lives through conservation and beautification. We believe that a healthy environment means a healthier population overall. 

Studies have shown that children benefit both mentally and physically from outdoor activity and clean air. We seek to continue to work with organizations that understand the value of our human connection with and reliance on a thriving and accessible green infrastructure.

Our Foundation is also interested in supporting health science and medical research. We understand that supporting cutting-edge technology and research is paramount in gaining important ground on treating and hopefully curing all forms of cancers and diseases. We are specifically interested in supporting research in treating and curing pancreatic and other forms of high-mortality illnesses that have lagged in funding and medical advancement. 

P/Arts Program

P/Arts Program Information

P/Arts stands for Philanthropic Arts and is our Foundation’s own initiative launched in 2019 to help catalyze non-profit, tax-exempt public charities, accredited schools and universities, and government or public agencies. We want to help implement or enhance educational programs utilizing the arts in daily curricula for early childhood education programs as well as K-12 students.

The P/Arts Program Was Created To Encourage Partnerships Within The Philanthropic Arts And Education Communities.

Organizations applying for P/Arts funding must be accredited 501(c)(3) organizations that are using performing and/or visual arts education to help:

• Enhance and Transform Existing Outdated Public School Curricula
• Motivate & Engage Children and Students
• Deepen Professional Development for Teachers, Professors, and Childcare Workers
• Link School and Home
• Use Evidence-Based, Arts-Based Instruction
• Help to Lessen the Education Achievement Gap

Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.

Overview

The Connecticut Arts Endowment Fund (CAEF) was established by the Connecticut General Assembly to stimulate the development of private sector funding and to ensure the long-term stability of Connecticut’s arts industry by providing funding to organizations. The Fund is managed by the Office of the State Treasurer and the program is administered by the Connecticut Office of the Arts (COA).

Interest earned on the Fund's principal is distributed annually to arts organizations that qualify by raising more than $15,000 in donor contributions* for two (2) consecutive fiscal years. *Donor contributions are from a non-governmental source such as a private-sector organization, foundation, corporation, partnership, single proprietorship, association or an individual person making a contribution to an arts organization.

CAEF grants are “unrestricted,” that is, organizations may apply funds toward program­ming, administrative or operational costs, capital projects, equipment purchase, or to build their own endowments.

Funding Formula

Applicants do not specify a grant request amount. Grant awards are calculated solely on the following formula:

Year 1 "Prior Fiscal Year": For the portion of donor contributions which is equal to $15,000 or more but does not exceed the total donor contributions for the prior fiscal year, there shall be a match of 25% of such amount, capped at $250,000. 

Year 2 "Most Recent Fiscal Year": For the portion of the total donor contributions that exceeds the total donor contributions for the prior fiscal year, there shall be a match of 100%, capped at $1 million. 

If the total amount of grants to be paid exceeds the investment earnings of the Arts Endowment Fund, all grants shall be reduced on a pro rata basis.

Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut

Our Vision

A healthy, thriving, sustainable Eastern Connecticut with greater equity for all.

Our Mission

Collaborating with partners to put philanthropy into action to address the needs, rights and interests of our community in Eastern Connecticut.

Our Values

Integrity, Equity, Respect, Courage, Empathy

Regional Impact Grants

Our regional grant opportunities are based on donor intent and link with our strategic priorities. Each is focused on a particular geographic area.

The Community Foundation is committed to incorporating a focus on equity and social justice in our work towards a healthy, thriving Eastern Connecticut.

Programs that promote racial equity, contribute to movement building, and seek to change inequitable systems through advocacy will be a priority.

Preston Community Fund

The Preston Community Fund accepts applications for the purpose of supporting the arts, cultural and social needs of the residents and organizations of the Town of Preston, Connecticut. The Fund supports the development of innovative and imaginative programs, projects and services in cooperation with 501(C)(3) nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies and programs for the exclusive benefit of Preston residents, organizations, programs, projects or services.

Culturally Enriched Communities

Travelers supports organizations that build communities and enrich lives through arts and culture, and that use the arts to contribute directly to enhanced academic learning.

Arts Education

Travelers funds organizations that incorporate the use of the arts in learning and stimulate creativity, while supporting improved academic achievement in local public schools.

Arts & Diversity

Travelers funds a wide range of organizations in order to build multi-cultural understanding in our communities. Travelers also aims to strengthen organizations that develop and present cultural and artistic traditions and/or provide access to various forms of art to diverse audiences.

Enhancing Communities Through the Arts

Travelers provides a small number of operating grants and/or sponsorships for key arts organizations in our downtown neighborhoods of Hartford, Conn., and St. Paul, Minn., in order to contribute to the vitality of the region.

Mission

The Northwest CT Community Foundation, Inc. (NCCF) is the community foundation located in and serving Northwest Connecticut. NCCF enhances life for citizens in its 20-town service area by:

• Awarding grants to nonprofit organizations and scholarships to students

• Helping donors create lasting, local legacies

• Encouraging local philanthropy and volunteerism

• Building endowments for future generations

NCCF serves the following communities: Barkhamsted, Bethlehem, Canaan (Falls Village), Colebrook, Cornwall, Goshen, Hartland, Harwinton, Kent, Litchfield, Morris, New Hartford, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury (Lakeville), Sharon, Torrington, Warren, Washington, and Winchester/Winsted.

Cycle Grants

Areas of Concentration

NCCF has five areas of concentration: 

• Arts & Culture
• Civic & Education
• Environment
• Health
• Social Services 

Funding

Grants are designated as:

• Small ($1,500 and under); or
• Traditional (over $1,500).

When considering how much to request in traditional applications, be aware that the Foundation’s average grant amount is $5,000. It is not uncommon for a grant award to be lower than the amount requested. The amount awarded may be greater for major capital expenditures, significant new programs with a solid plan for long-term support, bold expansion of existing programs, or large capacity building efforts. 

About

The Good to Great 2.0 grant program, funded through Public Act 14-98, is for nonprofit arts, cultural, and historic organizations that connect art, history, and tourism to enhance visitors’ experience of an arts/cultural venue and/or historic site (i.e., museums, historic houses, historical societies, arts organizations, cultural centers, and other types of organizations that offer activities such as exhibitions, performances, arts classes, public programs, or walking tours to the general public).

Competitive applications will not only look beyond basic facilities repair, rehabilitation, or expansion but also towards new means of sharing and telling the stories of our state’s rich history and culture in engaging, meaningful, and relevant ways.

Program Goals

The goals of the Good to Great program are to fund capital projects that:

• Link art, culture, history and preservation in ways that will enhance and transform the visitor experiences of cultural and historical sites.
• Look beyond basic facilities repair or expansion and consider engaging, meaningful, and relevant ways to share Connecticut stories, which can include innovative means of delivery.
• Demonstrate an awareness of state tourism goals and include a clear marketing plan on how connect the two.
• Expand opportunities for small to medium-sized 501(c) 3 cultural organizations.
• Support organizations that seek to expand, and enhance the promotion arts, culture, and/or history of Connecticut.
• Increase public awareness of and/or visitation to arts, culture and history organizations in Connecticut.

Funding

Grant requests must range between $25,000 to $500,000.

Good to Great 2.0 is a reimbursement program. Grantees are responsible for all upfront expenses. All expenditures will be reviewed and approved prior to reimbursement. Funded projects must be completed within two years of grant being executed. In accordance with Section 38 of Public Act 15-1, all grant recipients will be required to have a 10-year temporary lien placed on the site by the State of Connecticut.

Pathways for Older Adults

History

Grants that help older adults thrive are made possible by the East Hill Woods Fund at Connecticut Community Foundation, established in November 2009 with a contribution of $9.2 million through the sale of East Hill Woods.

As a field of interest fund, the East Hill Woods Fund provides grants to nonprofits and municipalities that offer services and opportunities for older adults living in the Foundation’s service area. A portion of the fund is also designated to train and educate future managers of senior living communities. Building community centers for our elderly is highly important in this age, they need to feel connected with their peers and others in the community, this is where construction companies like Enviro are here for neighborhoods who require modular buildings.

Purpose of Grants

To help people in our region age successfully and remain healthy, informed and engaged. Grant funding is also provided to local communities to help them prepare for the aging of the population.

Our grants to organizations working to improve quality of life for older adults typically fall into one of these general categories:

• Healthy aging
• Connecting with information, benefits and resources
• Aging successfully and safely in the community
• Education, arts and creative expression
• Waterbury BRASS (Bringing Resources to Action to Serve Seniors): A citywide collaboration
• Engaging older adults in addressing community needs
• Intergenerational projects

Possible Projects

• Develop core programs and adopt best practices that connect older adults with benefits, services and opportunities; assist with chores, home maintenance and home safety; enhance health and fitness; and build age-friendly communities that promote civic engagement and full participation for all ages.
• Hold a Town Conversation on Aging, open to the public, to discuss services, resources and opportunities for older adults in the town, identify needs and gaps, and prioritize action steps for the next several years. A $2,000 grant is available to each town in the Foundation’s service area for these conversations. This questionnaire provides a framework for the conversation.
• Connect more people over age 65+ to their libraries through Lifelong Libraries grants. Program possibilities include health, wellness, education, arts, creative expression, technology, financial security, intergenerational, and more.
• Collaborative programs that enhance services in a cost-effective manner are prioritized. Examples include a fitness program that rotates among towns and development of a coordinated transportation system.

Arts & Culture Grant

Arts and culture play important roles in education, economic development, and general quality of life. Research shows a correlation between arts-based learning and enhanced student achievement, noting how the arts stimulate learning and improve overall academic performance. The arts are also an important part of Connecticut’s economy and more importantly, can serve as a bridge between cultures. We recognize that there is inequity in access to and utilization of the arts. As a result, our arts and culture funding prioritize efforts that address disparity and increase access to culturally responsive art experiences, led by BIPOC artists.

Our approach focuses on:

• Increasing access to quality creative arts programs, with a focus on addressing existing disparities.
• Nourishing community arts efforts and refreshing expectations for larger legacy institutions, exploring how traditional entities can serve and partner with diverse communities in non-traditional ways.

Efforts we support include:

• Participatory arts programs in various media (visual, theater, music, dance, writing, etc.) that create inclusive and supportive conditions for individuals of diverse backgrounds, ages, genders and cultures, and provide ways of making deeper connections to community life.
• Opportunities to create/showcase work and collaborate with others. This may also include integration of arts and community-building activities, or outreach to and inclusion of traditionally underrepresented audiences.
• Work to support/develop artists and efforts to build a supportive and thriving arts sector, welcoming to both current and new/non-traditional artists.
• Support for artists and organizations in forging creative efforts to uplift residents and inspire community & economic development.

New England States Touring (NEST) funds performances, readings, and screenings of work by regional, national, and international artists presented by New England-based nonprofit organizations.

Program Goals

• Expand direct access to high quality artists and aesthetic diversity for all New England communities by artists from New England, the nation, and across the globe.
• Stimulate opportunities for collaboration and partnerships among New England cultural organizations and between artists and organizations.
• Encourage projects that provide meaningful interaction between artists and communities, extending beyond the stage.

NEST Artists

NEST artists are professional artists from New England who meet the NEST artist requirements. They represent a wide range of disciplines, including dance, folk art, interdisciplinary work, media, music, musical theater, opera, poetry, storytelling, and theater. NEST artists must be available for public performances and must maintain a permanent residence in New England.

About the New England States Touring Grant Program

There are three distinct grant opportunities for New England nonprofit organizations: NEST 1, NEST 2, and NEST 3. Organizations serving rural communities and/or deeply engaging Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities are encouraged to apply.

NEST 1

Funds the public presentation and engagement of a New England artist presented by a New England nonprofit organization based in a different New England state from the artist’s home state. 

NEST 2

Funds the public presentation and community engagement activities of a New England artist presented by two New England nonprofit organizations. Tours must include one presenting organization based inside of the artist’s home state and one other organization from outside of the artist’s home state.

NEST 3

Funds tours, including public presentation and community engagement activities, of regional, national, or international artists presented by New England nonprofit organizations. Tours must include a minimum of three New England organizations in different communities presenting the same artist. The organizations applying must be from at least two different New England states. 

• Each organization is responsible for reviewing the program goals and criteria, negotiating the terms of the engagement with the artist, and completing a NEST 3 application.
• Organizations may submit up to three NEST 3 applications.
• The annual deadline is the first business day of March.
• Grants provide up to 60% of the artist fee to a maximum of $10,000.
  • Applications with artist fees under $2,000 may request the full artist fee.
• New England artists must be listed as NEST-eligible on CreativeGround.
• For non-New England artists, an artist work sample must be submitted by one of the touring partners.
• Grant period: Touring projects must occur between June 1, 2025 - August 31, 2026.

Deadlines

NEST 1 & 2 grant deadlines occur three times a year, as follows:

• First business day of August, for projects beginning on or after November 1.
• First business day of December, for projects beginning on or after March 1.
• First business day of March, for projects beginning on or after June 1.

The annual NEST 3 grant deadline is the first business day of March.   

Travelers believes that strong communities are sustained by educational and economic opportunities — and we are dedicated to assisting our communities in generating those opportunities. With a focus on equity and inclusion, we target our giving and volunteerism to help improve academic and career success, develop thriving neighborhoods and create culturally enriched communities.

Travelers is ensuring opportunity by contributing to efforts that create strong, vibrant communities and offer pathways to success. Through corporate funding and the Travelers Foundation, Travelers targets its giving to achieve three outcomes: Academic & Career Success, Thriving Neighborhoods and Culturally Enriched Communities. Our primary focus is educating underrepresented students to lead tomorrow’s workforce. In addition, Travelers contributes to organizations that aid in developing communities through small business support and neighborhood revitalization, and that enhance lives and learning through arts & culture. 

Travelers accepts grant applications exclusively for Hartford, Connecticut and St. Paul, Minnesota, primarily for project, program and operating support and for limited capital opportunities.

Academic & Career Success

Because today’s student will be tomorrow’s co-worker, education is the primary focus of our giving. We support college and career readiness programs for underrepresented students from middle school through college and into career. 

A successful future starts in the classroom. But many people struggle to get the education they need to compete for quality jobs and to lead a fulfilling life. Our giving focuses on helping to provide a foundation for individual success and on building a skilled workforce for our industry and our communities.

Where We Give

Nearly half of our annual giving goes toward initiatives that help underrepresented students attain academic and career success. We seek to improve academic achievement gaps by focusing on low-income and minority students in grades five through 12, students in college and those seeking careers in the insurance industry.

Funding Priorities

Academic & Career Success: Travelers supports initiatives that improve academic achievement and career success for underrepresented youth, specifically targeted at public school students in grades five through 12, students in transition to post-secondary education, and students in post-secondary learning environments.

• Middle & High School Academic Achievement– Travelers funds initiatives that foster improved academic achievement for middle and/or high school students.
• Post-Secondary Preparation & Degree Attainment– Travelers supports organizations that are building awareness of and personal readiness for post-secondary education and educational initiatives that improve degree completion for underrepresented students.
• Career Awareness & Readiness– Travelers supports educational initiatives that are building awareness of and preparation for careers in insurance and financial services.

Is your nonprofit working to create positive change in your local community? 

Presented by the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation in partnership with NBC and Telemundo stations in 11 markets, NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants Program is strengthening our communities by providing funding to local nonprofit organizations that are solving everyday problems. This year, our station will award $225,000 to exceptional nonprofit programs focused on local impact.

Grant Categories

Youth Education and Empowerment - In-school and out-of-school programs that equip youth with the tools they need to succeed, including STEM/ STEAM education and youth entrepreneurship.

Next Generation Storytellers - Programs that promote access and develop pathways for emerging talent, diverse voices, and underrepresented youth to explore careers in arts, news, sports and entertainment.

Community Engagement - Programs that enable individuals to engage and volunteer in their communities.

Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation, NBCUniversal Local and Telemundo stations are committed to supporting a culture of inclusion whereby organizations encourage equitable access, opportunities, and resources for traditionally underrepresented communities.

Legends & Lore Marker Grant Program

This program commemorates folktales, legends and folklife as an important part of every community’s cultural heritage.

Does your community have a great piece of folklore that should be shared? Legends & Lore is designed to promote cultural tourism and commemorate legends and folklore as part of our heritage.

Generally speaking, folklore is the stories, customs, traditions, and expressive arts and crafts that are passed on from one person to another, often from generation to generation. Folklore is the knowledge that people share as members of a group or community. Our shared identities and sense of belonging are the result of shared traditions, stories, customs, and activities.

Legends & Folklore Guidelines

Successful Legends & Lore marker applications typically fall within three main categories:

Folktale- Fictional stories passed down about people or events not proven to have existed. (e.g. Thirteen Curves, Champy, Headless Horseman, Tramping Ground)

Legends- Stories passed down that are popularly regarded as historical although not verifiable. (e.g. John Henry, Grancer’s Ghost, Betsy’s Ride, Natty Bumppo, “Natty Bumppo”)

Folklife- Traditions such as music, skills, crafts, and events passed along within a community. Often involving real people that can be verified with primary sources. (e.g. “Goose Day,” The Arborglyphs, Dennis McGee, Herbs & Healing, Folk Singer)

Subjects which are not successful include:

• Historical events lacking a folkloric aspect
• Purely literary creations
• Personal/family folklore which does not extend to the greater community

Bydale Foundation Grant

The Bydale Foundation’s domestic geographic areas of interest are Westchester County, North Carolina, and Massachusetts, or those with a nationwide focus. Within these geographic areas, the foundation provides support for programs in the areas of the environment, social justice, women’s rights, grassroots advocacy, performing arts, and poetry.

The foundation also provides grants to:

• Human rights
• Peace advocacy
• Environmental organizations in Israel.

Travelers Foundation

Travelers believes that strong communities are sustained by educational and economic opportunities —and we are dedicated to assisting our communities in generating those opportunities. With a focus on equity and inclusion, we target our giving and volunteerism to help improve academic and career success, develop thriving neighborhoods and create culturally enriched communities.

Travelers contributes to organizations that prepare historically underrepresented students to lead tomorrow’s workforce, develop vibrant communities through small business support and neighborhood revitalization, and enhance lives and learning through arts & culture.

Travelers accepts grant applications exclusively for Hartford, Connecticut and St. Paul, Minnesota, primarily for project, program and operating support and for limited capital opportunities.

Thriving Neighborhoods

Travelers supports organizations that help create and maintain safety, stability and vitality in low- and mixed-income communities.

What Our Funding Supports:

• Accessible, Safe Housing– Travelers supports organizations and programs that provide permanent housing and supportive services to create safe, stable neighborhoods.
• Successful Small Businesses – Travelers funds organizations that develop economic vitality and create and retain wealth by assisting the creation and growth of small businesses, with an emphasis on women-, minority- and veteran-owned businesses. Travelers also supports programs that prepare individuals for business ownership and support them on their journeys.
• Resilient Communities – Travelers supports organizations that show leadership in disaster preparation, response and recovery.

Introduction

Bank of America, N.A. serves as trustee, co-trustee, or agent to numerous private foundations. The Connecticut-based Philanthropic Solutions office manages many of these discretionary foundations which support nonprofit organizations serving vital community needs. The majority of these foundations were created and structured by donors to provide focused grantmaking based on a specific program and/or geographic area.

Working with internal or external distribution committees, co-trustees, family members, or external advisors, we carefully evaluate grant proposals to ensure that meaningful grants are awarded in accordance with the philanthropic mission of each foundation. We have prepared these grantmaking guidelines as a general overview to help the nonprofit community better understand the grantmaking goals and process for Connecticut-based foundations.

Charles Parker Trust for Public Music Fund Grant

The Charles Parker Trust for Public Music Fund was established "to help in some way in furnishing good music to the public... at a nominal price or without admission price..." The Public Music Fund serves the people of New Britain, Connecticut.

• Program type- Arts, Culture, & Humanities
• Area served - CT
• Restrictions - New Britain, CT

Purpose of Grants

Made possible through the Southbury Community Trust Fund, grants provide support for a variety of programs that benefit Southbury residents. Priority is given to proposals that demonstrate collaboration and strong partnerships.

Possible Projects

• Social and Community Services: Support Southbury residents by providing access to basic needs, transportation, and affordable housing.
• Wellness and Health Education: Promote a healthy, vibrant community by encouraging access to prevention programs, fitness, and access to care for all ages.
• Enhancement of Youth Development: Foster positive identity, strong values, social competencies, commitment to learning, community service, empowerment, leadership, and resilience for Southbury youth.
• Aging and Livable Communities: Develop and promote programs that enable older adults to age in place successfully. May include: connecting older adults with benefits and services; reaching people who are underserved; home maintenance, chore, and home safety programs; and building age-friendly communities.
• Arts and Culture: Promote access to performing arts and fine arts programs for community enrichment.
• Environmental Awareness: Encourage the preservation, protection, and conservation of land, water, and wildlife.
• Cultural Heritage: Support Southbury’s tangible cultural heritage and town history.

Nearly 100 years ago, two bankers, Maynard T. Hazen and Clark T. Durant, had a vision: establish a community-wide charitable endowment that would accept “gifts, devises, and bequests” to serve as a trustworthy, steadfast and responsive charitable resource to the community, forever. Since then, that single bequest of $1,000 has grown into charitable assets totaling more than $1.2 billion (as of December 2024). Today, the Hartford Foundation For Public Giving is: 

• A grant maker that awarded more than $1 billion in grants (as of December 2024).
• A community leader that serves 800,000 residents and hundreds of nonprofits in 29 towns.
• Most importantly, an institution that remains committed to our original cause of improving the well-being and quality of life for residents throughout the region.

As Greater Hartford’s community foundation, we are a public, grantmaking organization bringing together dedicated individuals, businesses and nonprofits to understand local challenges, share information and put resources behind solutions that can improve the quality of life for those both in our region and across the state of Connecticut. As our mission, we are putting philanthropy into action to create lasting solutions that result in vibrant communities within the Greater Hartford region.

WE ARE GREATER HARTFORD'S COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

• We serve 29 towns, nearly 800,000 residents, hundreds of nonprofits, and a network of philanthropists with more than 1,500 funds.
• We bring together the people, knowledge, investments and passion to make Greater Hartford a more inclusive and equitable place to live, work and raise a family.

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is dedicated to the Greater Hartford region, serving all 29 towns and we'll continue to work to improve the quality of life in Greater Hartford, for the next 100 years and beyond. 

Windsor Locks Greater Together Community Fund

In 2019, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving established the Greater Together Community Funds in each of the 29 towns it serves, including Windsor Locks, with an initial investment of $100,000. In 2021, the Foundation awarded an additional $50,000 to each of the community funds. In January, as part of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving’s Centennial year in 2025 and the Fifth anniversary of the Greater Together Community Fund program, the Foundation has recently unveiled a new $100,000 investment in each of its 29 town-specific Community Funds. This includes $50,000 immediately available for grantmaking and $50,000 allocated to endowment. 

The purpose of the Greater Together Community Fund is to: support the community in taking ownership around the needs in their towns, encourage broad and inclusive civic engagement and anchor the Hartford Foundation in each town.

The Windsor Locks Greater Together Community Fund (WLGTCF) provides grants to 501(c)3 organizations here in Windsor Locks. Our grantmaking is guided by our commitment to dismantling structural racism and advancing equity in social and economic mobility in Greater Hartford's Black and Latino communities. The most important thing we consider is whether an organization's mission or program aligns with these priorities. Grants will be given for a single, deliverable project that provides a benefit to the Windsor Locks community.

In addition to our strategic priorities, we also consider how programs or projects align with our five strategic outcome areas:

• Arts and Culture
• Basic Human Needs
• Civic and Resident Engagement
• Employment Opportunities
• Thriving Neighborhoods

While we do award grants for projects that fall outside of these outcome portfolios, proposals that align with this work will receive stronger consideration.

Nearly 100 years ago, two bankers, Maynard T. Hazen and Clark T. Durant, had a vision: establish a community-wide charitable endowment that would accept “gifts, devises, and bequests” to serve as a trustworthy, steadfast and responsive charitable resource to the community, forever. Since then, that single bequest of $1,000 has grown into charitable assets totaling more than $1.2 billion (as of December 2024). Today, the Hartford Foundation For Public Giving is:

• A grant maker that awarded more than $1 billion in grants (as of December 2024).
• A community leader that serves 800,000 residents and hundreds of nonprofits in 29 towns.
• Most importantly, an institution that remains committed to our original cause of improving the well-being and quality of life for residents throughout the region.

As Greater Hartford’s community foundation, we are a public, grantmaking organization bringing together dedicated individuals, businesses and nonprofits to understand local challenges, share information and put resources behind solutions that can improve the quality of life for those both in our region and across the state of Connecticut. As our mission, we are putting philanthropy into action to create lasting solutions that result in vibrant communities within the Greater Hartford region.

WE ARE GREATER HARTFORD'S COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

• We serve 29 towns, nearly 800,000 residents, hundreds of nonprofits, and a network of philanthropists with more than 1,500 funds.
• We bring together the people, knowledge, investments and passion to make Greater Hartford a more inclusive and equitable place to live, work and raise a family.

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is dedicated to the Greater Hartford region, serving all 29 towns and we'll continue to work to improve the quality of life in Greater Hartford, for the next 100 years and beyond. 

Our Outcome Areas

We are working through partnerships to remove persistent disparities in our region where we know them to be most pronounced. We have identified five outcome areas for our work. Each of these outcome areas focuses on the people and places facing the greatest disparities:

• Arts and Culture
• Basic Human Needs
• Civic and Resident Engagement
• Employment Opportunities
• Thriving Neighborhoods

In addressing the disparities in our region, we are committed to dismantling structural racism and advancing equity in social and economic mobility in Greater Hartford's Black and Latino communities.

Bolton Greater Together Community Fund

In 2019, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving established the Greater Together Community Funds in each of the 29 towns it serves, including the Town of  Bolton, with an initial investment of $100,000. In 2025, the Foundation added $50,000 to the Fund to continue to support community needs.

The purpose of the Greater Together Community Fund is to: support the community in taking ownership around the needs in their towns, encourage broad and inclusive civic engagement and anchor the Hartford Foundation in each town.

In 2024, the Bolton Greater Together Community Fund awarded $36,752.59 in grants to eleven local nonprofits. This is the fourth round of funding for initiatives that strive toward the betterment of Bolton and its residents.

The Bolton Greater Together Community Fund provides grants for nonprofit organizations whose projects meet the following criteria:

• Provide a beneficial impact to a sizable group of Bolton residents
• Address needs that can't be funded through normal means
• Offer a likelihood of success, based on the plan design
• Provide ongoing benefit / impact to town residents

Our Commitment

​Connecting with our community is an integral part of our company's core values. It is something we act on every day. From volunteering with local organizations to our relationships with community partners, Cox employees are making our community a better place.

Charitable Giving Overview

Since 2001, Cox has invested nearly $8 million in Cox Charities grants and in-kind support to organizations providing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math programming to youth throughout Connecticut, Ohio, and Rhode Island.  

Cox Charities funds organizations that focus on youth education, health services, military and conservation.

Community Grants

Cox Charities Community Grants range between $5,000 and $12,000 and are given each year to deserving non-profit organizations dedicated to STEAM education.

Cox is seeking applications for the 2025 Cox Community Grant Program. This grant supports non-profit organizations focused on:

• Youth innovation programs centered on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math.
• Conservation and sustainability initiatives.
• Inclusion.

Since 2001, Cox has invested nearly $7 million in grants and in-kind support to non-profit organizations providing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) enrichment programs to youth in our service areas of Connecticut, Ohio, and Rhode Island. Cox Charities is funded entirely, by Cox employees and business partners. 

Cox Charities Community Grants range between $5,000 and $12,000 and are given each year to deserving non-profit organizations dedicated to STEAM education.

Recipients will be selected by considering a number of factors, including the following criteria:

• How well the project aligns with the Cox Charities focus area: STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math).
• The overall community impact of the program and a clear explanation of what makes this program unique.
• The ability to define clear metrics for success.

Funding

Cox plans to award nearly $140,000 in grants to nonprofits in our region. Proposals are reviewed by the Cox Charities Community Advisory Committee, comprised of area civic, business, community leaders and Cox employees.

 New Alliance Foundation 

The NewAlliance Foundation is a private charitable foundation based in New Haven, Connecticut, committed to strengthening communities through strategic philanthropy. The Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that advance literacy, promote education, foster community development, and address social and economic inequities. With a regional focus across Connecticut, NewAlliance Foundation invests in initiatives that create meaningful, lasting impact—uplifting underserved populations and fostering opportunity for all.

Mission, Vision, and Priorities

Guided by its mission to advance literacy, build communities, and dismantle systems that perpetuate poverty and racism, the Foundation envisions a community where all people can reach their fullest potential. Its funding priorities include improving literacy and early learning outcomes, supporting youth and education programs, promoting health and human services, strengthening the arts, and advancing racial and economic equity. The Foundation values collaboration, innovation, and sustainable solutions that empower organizations to drive systemic change and create a more equitable future for Connecticut residents.

New Alliance Foundation: Emerging Grants

The Emerging Grant Program of the NewAlliance Foundation is designed to support new or early-stage nonprofit organizations that are making a meaningful impact within the Foundation’s focus areas. This program provides smaller, one-year grants to help emerging organizations build capacity, test innovative ideas, and strengthen their ability to serve the community. Priority is given to initiatives that align with the Foundation’s mission to advance literacy, build communities, and dismantle systems that perpetuate poverty and racism. Through this program, the Foundation encourages collaboration, innovation, and long-term sustainability, offering newer nonprofits the opportunity to grow and establish a strong foundation for future impact.