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

The American Savings Foundation provides capital grants to support projects aligned with its mission, prioritizing direct service programs for children, youth, and families in New Britain and Waterbury. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt and can request funding for one-time capital needs, typically up to $10,000. The Foundation emphasizes measurable impact and community benefit, making it a vital resource for local nonprofits aiming to enhance the quality of life in their communities.

The CCF: Grassroots Leadership Grants aim to empower Waterbury residents and local organizations by providing funding for community-driven projects. This initiative focuses on enhancing civic engagement, fostering youth leadership, and supporting collaborative efforts to revitalize neighborhoods. With grants ranging from $5,000 to $7,000, the program prioritizes smaller, resident-led groups and encourages innovative projects that strengthen community ties and promote active participation among residents.

The Equity & Justice Initiative Grants, provided by The Tow Foundation Inc., aim to empower nonprofits addressing systemic injustices. Focused on promoting wellness and opportunities for marginalized communities in Connecticut and New York, these grants support advocacy, policy change, and direct services to enhance racial equity and justice. Organizations are invited to apply, fostering impactful initiatives in arts, education, civic engagement, and public health that affirm the dignity and humanity of affected individuals.

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving offers regular grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Greater Hartford, aiming to address systemic issues and enhance community well-being. Organizations can apply for one grant every three years, focusing on program/project support, continuation, capital improvements, or general operating support. The foundation prioritizes initiatives that tackle critical human needs, promote equity, and align with its goal of dismantling structural racism, fostering a resilient and inclusive Hartford community.

The Nordson Corporation Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing the quality of life in Connecticut's New London and Windham Counties through education and community support. Since its inception, the Foundation has invested over $60 million in grants, with a commitment to empowering local non-profits that foster educational opportunities, human welfare, civic engagement, and arts and culture. With a strong emphasis on measurable impact, the Foundation aims to create sustainable, vibrant communities by supporting initiatives that promote long-term self-sufficiency and community enrichment.

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.

The Connecticut Community Foundation offers the Older Adults: Pathways Grants & Mini-Grants to support programs enhancing the quality of life for older adults. Established in 2009, the fund focuses on healthy aging, community engagement, and educational opportunities. Grants are available to nonprofits and municipalities within a 21-town service area, promoting intergenerational projects and civic participation. The initiative emphasizes collaboration and innovative solutions to meet the needs of the aging population.

Cox Charities Northeast offers community grants ranging from $5,000 to $12,000 annually to support nonprofit organizations focused on STEAM education. Since 2001, Cox has invested nearly $8 million in youth programming across Connecticut, Ohio, and Rhode Island. The grants prioritize innovative projects in science, technology, engineering, arts, math, and sustainability initiatives, encouraging applications from eligible 501(c)(3) organizations in the Cox East serviceable footprint.

The CCF: Arts and Culture Grants aim to enhance access to creative arts programs while addressing disparities in the arts. By supporting initiatives led by BIPOC artists, the program fosters community engagement through participatory arts, collaboration, and advocacy for underrepresented groups. The Connecticut Community Foundation encourages applications from nonprofit organizations that create impactful cultural experiences, promote economic development, and nurture a diverse, inclusive arts sector, ultimately enriching the community's cultural landscape.

The Hansen Family Foundation Grant seeks to empower organizations that uphold the American values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Focused on diverse causes like children, education, animals, environmental conservation, humanitarian efforts, and arts, the foundation is committed to supporting initiatives that create positive change. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, while political campaigns and organizations with high budgets or overheads are ineligible. This grant fosters impactful contributions to society.

Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut

Ever since we were founded in 1983, our foundation has grown in knowledge, capability and influence as a direct result of the commitment of our generous donors, the depth of our relationships with nonprofit organizations and the steady oversight of caring, visionary leaders. We’ve built enduring relationships across the region and become an important part of the history – and future – of Eastern Connecticut.

We are proud to be of service to 42 communities in New London, Windham and Tolland Counties, with a combined population of approximately 450,000 residents and encompassing 1,402 square miles. We are the largest community foundation in the state – by geographic area served – covering nearly one-third of Connecticut.

250th Anniversary of the United States of America Grant

The Community Foundation announces an expansion of its civic engagement grants program to include a grants initiative focused on building democracy as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.

What will be funded: Projects for local school-aged youth to increase their understanding of democracy.

Examples of potential grants

• Projects that highlight untold stories of marginalized people from the past or present such as women, indigenous people, people of color, or young people who have played a role in building, protecting or strengthening democracy.
• Using the arts, theater, music and dance, to connect past (including pre-revolution), present and future to make connections to building a strong civic society.

The O'Reilly Automotive Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing community welfare through philanthropic initiatives that support economic stability, workforce development, health services, and disaster relief. Established in 2020, the Foundation seeks to empower underrepresented individuals and organizations in the U.S. by addressing vital community needs. It particularly aims to provide assistance to nonprofits that foster positive change and improve quality of life for those in need, ensuring a lasting impact in local communities.

The New England States Touring (NEST) Grant supports nonprofit organizations in New England to present performances, readings, and screenings by regional and international artists. With three funding tiers—NEST 1, NEST 2, and NEST 3—this initiative aims to enhance community engagement, foster collaborations, and promote diversity in the arts. Eligible organizations can receive up to $10,000 to fund projects that occur between June 1, 2025, and August 31, 2026.

The Academic & Career Success Grant, offered by the Travelers Foundation, focuses on enhancing educational and economic opportunities in Hartford, Connecticut, and St. Paul, Minnesota. This grant aims to support underrepresented students from middle school through college, ensuring they are prepared for successful careers. By prioritizing initiatives that foster academic achievement and career readiness, the foundation seeks to bridge achievement gaps and develop a skilled workforce for the future.

The Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation offers Local Impact Grants to nonprofit organizations in 11 markets, providing $225,000 to support local programs addressing community issues. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits with a revenue exceeding $100,000 and must operate in one of the specified television markets. The grants aim to empower youth through education, promote diverse storytelling, and enhance community engagement. This initiative underscores Comcast's commitment to fostering inclusion and equitable opportunities for underserved communities.

The WGPF: Legends & Lore Marker Grant Program celebrates and promotes local folklore, legends, and folklife as vital aspects of cultural heritage. Targeted at 501(c)(3) organizations and government entities across 14 US states, it aims to enhance cultural tourism by commemorating community stories. Successful applications typically focus on folktales, historical legends, and community traditions, while excluding purely literary works or personal folklore that lacks broader community significance.

The Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation (NCCF) offers Cycle Grants to enhance community life through arts, education, environment, health, and social services. Grants are available for small projects up to $1,500 and traditional projects over $1,500, with an average award of $5,000. NCCF encourages innovative, collaborative projects serving residents in its 20-town area, fostering local philanthropy and volunteerism.

The Bydale Foundation Grant supports nonprofit organizations in Connecticut, Westchester County, and North Carolina, focusing on environmental initiatives, social justice, women’s rights, and grassroots advocacy. The foundation also funds programs in performing arts and poetry, as well as human rights and peace advocacy initiatives. However, unsolicited proposals from outside these areas are not accepted, and social service programs in Israel are ineligible for funding.

The Thriving Neighborhoods Grant, offered by the Travelers Foundation, aims to strengthen Hartford and St. Paul communities through support for organizations focused on safety, stability, and economic growth. Prioritizing equity and inclusion, funding is directed towards accessible housing, small business development, and disaster resilience initiatives. This grant is exclusively available for nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status in specific locations, fostering vibrant, culturally enriched neighborhoods and enhancing the lives of historically underrepresented groups.

The Charles Parker Trust for Public Music Fund Grant aims to provide affordable music to the public in New Britain, Connecticut. Managed by Bank of America, this fund supports nonprofit organizations focused on arts, culture, and humanities. Eligible applicants must conduct musical performances within New Britain and may receive grants for one year. However, requests for capital projects are not considered, and grants cannot be awarded for more than three consecutive years.

The Southbury Community Trust Fund Grant aims to support programs benefiting Southbury residents through collaboration and partnerships. Priority is given to initiatives in social services, health education, youth development, and community enhancement. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and municipal entities. The fund does not support political or religious requests and encourages projects that serve the local community and promote advocacy efforts. This grant fosters community resilience and cultural heritage.

The Windsor Locks Greater Together Community Fund, established by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, aims to enhance community ownership and engagement. This fund, which has grown significantly since its inception, supports local 501(c)3 organizations focusing on equity and social mobility, especially for Black and Latino communities. As part of its commitment, it allocates grants for projects that meet community needs and aligns with five strategic outcome areas, fostering a more inclusive Greater Hartford.

The Bolton Greater Together Community Fund, established by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, aims to enhance the quality of life for Bolton residents through targeted grants. Launched in 2019 with an initial investment of $100,000, the fund addresses community needs and encourages civic engagement. In 2024, it awarded $36,752.59 to support eleven local nonprofits, focusing on impactful projects that benefit a significant number of residents and address unmet needs.

The Georgia-Pacific Foundation Grant supports organizations in the Metro Atlanta area, focusing on education, entrepreneurship, community enrichment, and environmental sustainability. Established in 1958, the foundation prioritizes investments that align with its mission and values, promoting long-term well-being within communities where Georgia-Pacific operates. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public schools, and local government entities located within 30 miles of GP manufacturing sites.

The New Alliance Foundation's Emerging Grant Program supports early-stage nonprofit organizations dedicated to addressing local needs in Connecticut. By providing one-year grants, the program aims to help these organizations build capacity, test innovative ideas, and foster community impact. Priority is given to initiatives that align with the Foundation's mission of advancing literacy and dismantling systemic inequities. This program empowers nonprofits to grow and create lasting change in their communities.

The Connecticut Arts Endowment Fund Grant supports nonprofit arts organizations in Connecticut by providing unrestricted funding to enhance their operations. Organizations eligible for funding must demonstrate significant donor contributions and maintain compliance with state regulations. The grant incentivizes fundraising efforts by matching contributions based on a formula, ensuring that arts initiatives receive the necessary financial backing to thrive. This program aims to cultivate long-term sustainability within Connecticut's arts sector.

The Preston Community Fund, part of the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, provides grants to support arts, culture, and social needs of Preston residents. It prioritizes projects that promote equity and social justice, encouraging collaboration with 501(c)(3) organizations and governmental agencies. Applicants must be charitable organizations or schools, and grants are not available for individuals or for-profit endeavors. The fund aims to foster innovative programs that benefit the community.