Best Child Welfare Grants in Connecticut

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Connecticut working on youth development, child welfare, basic needs, or community programs can seek funding to enhance quality of life. Vermont Mutual Insurance Group provides support for initiatives that promote education, foster youth, strengthen communities, and address housing, homelessness, and hunger within its marketing territories.

Connecticut child welfare organizations serving underserved children’s basic needs, such as housing, clothing, food, and medical care, may be eligible for this grant. Focused on improving the social welfare of children, Olga Sipolin Children's Fund, administered by Bank of America, can also support related human services, education, health care, arts, and environmental programs.

Focused on health and human services, Swindells Charitable Foundation invites Connecticut child welfare and related human services organizations to seek one-year support for sick, suffering, or economically disadvantaged people. Public and charitable hospitals and programs serving children or older adults, including those in child welfare, may be especially competitive for this funding.

Connecticut nonprofits improving education and child welfare can apply for Elizabeth Carse Foundation’s one-year grants, awarding up to US $10,000 for program support. Organizations offering child welfare services or training elementary and secondary school teachers to help children achieve better standards of living may be especially competitive.

Organizations providing child welfare and immigration-related services in Connecticut can apply for US $1,000,000 - US $50,000,000 to deliver home study and post-release support for unaccompanied children in the U.S. Grants from US Dept. of Health & Human Services: Administration for Children & Families fund safe placements, case management, and community connections for these minors.

Nonprofit organizations working on child welfare, early childhood development, or preventing child abuse and neglect in Connecticut and nationwide can seek support for community-led, prevention-oriented projects that help families thrive. The Doris Duke Foundation backs innovative efforts that reimagine child welfare systems and test alternatives like the Opportunities for Prevention & Transformation Initiative (OPT-In).

Child welfare and family-service nonprofits in the greater Chicago area can receive US $2,000 - US $10,000 to support programs such as child welfare services, foster care and adoption, crisis intervention, and related human services. McGraw Foundation provides single-year grants for general operating support, specific projects, and occasionally capital needs; Connecticut organizations may be ineligible due to the geographic focus.

Child welfare and adoption agencies in Connecticut and other eligible U.S. jurisdictions can apply for US $1,500,000 - US $2,150,000 to test collaborative models that improve permanency through adoption for children with complex needs. Grants from US Dept. of Health & Human Services: Administration for Children & Families support system-level recruitment, training, and retention of specialized adoptive families, plus rigorous evaluation.

State, territorial, and CSBG-eligible entities working on child welfare and anti-poverty services in Connecticut and other U.S. jurisdictions can seek funding to strengthen Community Services Block Grant administration and outcomes. Focused on capacity-building, the Administration for Children & Families invites applicants to improve compliance, enhance core program elements, and better coordinate resources across systems like foster care, behavioral health, housing, and public assistance.

Connecticut child welfare and youth-serving nonprofits focused on foster care, adoption, homelessness, or related systems-change work may be eligible for support, though Laird Norton Family Foundation’s human services funding is currently limited to King County, WA. The foundation also funds arts in education, climate change, and watershed stewardship initiatives across select U.S. regions.

Youth who are or have been in Nevada foster care and plan to attend an accredited college, trade, or vocational program can apply for the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada’s Foster Children Education Scholarship, awarding $1,000 - $5,000. Eligible applicants must be U.S. residents with financial need and meet GPA and foster care criteria.

Joyful Heart Foundation

Since 2004, Joyful Heart has been a leading national organization with a mission to transform society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse by building a world that prioritizes survivors’ healing.

Our Areas of Focus

We continue to carry out our mission through programming centered on survivors’ needs. We strive to fill gaps where those needs aren’t being met, without duplicating existing programs. In order to build a more compassionate, more informed culture rooted in the possibility and promise of healing, we focus on three key areas: Awareness and Community Building, Policy and Advocacy and Healing Programs.

• Healing Programs and Resources: Creating and fostering a culture of healing and nurturing for survivors and the professionals who support them.
• Policy and Advocacy: Advocating for policies and practices that forge a path to safety, justice and hope for survivors.

• Awareness and Community Building: Creating spaces and conversations that channel a drive for change into action and transformation.

Heal the Healers Grant 

Helping alleviate the effects of secondary trauma for the long-term wellbeing of professionals who support survivors

Building for a System of Care and Compassion

Heal the Healers Grantmaking Program provides critical support for professionals who help survivors heal and seek justice. People working on the frontlines of survivor-centered services are subject to the often overlooked effects of secondary trauma that can emerge as a result of continuous exposure to people who have recently experienced abuse and violence.

The Heal the Healers Grant Fund and Grantee Learning Cohorts provide resources to mitigate the effects of secondary trauma among the practitioners responsible for the earliest stages of survivors’ paths to justice and healing. Creating a safer, more compassionate world for the people who do this work helps lay a foundation for lasting change and a world where every survivor’s healing is prioritized.

The Heal the Healers Fund provides micro-grants of up to $5,000 to nonprofit, Tribal, or governmental organizations supporting survivors for training, small capital projects, or organizational activities.

Areas of Support

The Joyful Heart Foundation has established the following guidelines for its Heal the Healers Fund grants to support those working directly with survivors in the following areas.

• Training and/or program development on self-care practices such as training in trauma-informed yoga, breathwork, somatic therapy, etc.
• Small capital items and equipment that specifically allow staff and volunteers to address their self care needs such as daylight lamps for staff or new furniture for a break room.
• Staff activities to build and support connections between colleagues such as, trust building experiences, monthly pizza nights, or bagel Fridays.
• Or any combination of the above. 

In addition to the financial support, grantees will also be invited to join a peer learning community cohort that includes:

• Opportunities to amplify their fellowship/cohort experiences to inspire others in the field
• Virtual peer-to-peer networking opportunities
• Virtual training/presentations by leading healers, therapists and other professionals with expertise in cutting edge vicarious trauma, empowerment, leadership and therapeutic modalities

The Stout Foundation Grant supports organizations aligned with the values of its founder, Mr. Stout. Grants are awarded exclusively to entities with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and focus on charitable, educational, and scientific purposes. Preference is given to organizations with low overhead costs and those located in areas frequented by Foundation members. The Foundation aims to promote effective use of funds while remaining flexible in its grant-making approach.

Federally recognized tribal governments, tribal organizations, and Tribal TANF-administering consortia in Connecticut and across the U.S. can seek funding to coordinate TANF and child welfare services for families at risk of child abuse or neglect. US Dept. of Health & Human Services: Administration for Children & Families offers about US $225,000 for case management, supportive services, and prevention-focused systems changes.

Young people in North Carolina exiting foster care or living in poverty who wish to attend an accredited college or career/technical program can receive scholarship support through the Joyce Price Johnson’s Samaritan Fund. Administered by North Carolina Community Foundation, this fund primarily considers applicants from Wayne County and neighboring counties and may benefit child welfare–focused programs in Connecticut that support eligible youth relocating or studying in the U.S.

The Dr. Gary King Sharp Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Central Kentucky Community Foundation, aims to support students with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. Priority is given to those connected with Hospice services or in the foster care system, and to first-generation college students. This scholarship serves as a vital resource to empower students in their educational pursuits and enhance community life.

Connecticut 501(c)(3) organizations supporting child welfare, foster care, or abuse survivors can use this national grant to expand services, infrastructure, and healing programs. Grants from When Georgia Smiled help U.S. nonprofits serving children and families affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, or crises that demonstrate financial stability and inclusive, open programs.

About Us

Marshfield Area Community Foundation, Inc. is a public, 501-C-3 charity. There are 30 community foundations in Wisconsin and more than 750 in the nation. The purpose of all community foundations is to accumulate charitable dollars that impact a specific geographic region in areas such as education, the arts, economic development, recreation, environmental protection, health care, and social services. They may be relatively small, as we are (assets of $14 million), or very large, as is the Greater Milwaukee Foundation (assets over $400 million).

Most people are familiar with private foundations, established by individuals, families, or corporations. Typically, in order to establish a private foundation, one has to have considerable wealth. You could say Community Foundations are much more democratic. We are, in a sense, an umbrella foundation containing many small foundations. We call those small foundations “funds.”

Marshfield Area Community Foundation Scholarships

The mission of the Marshfield Area Community Foundation is “Connecting people who care with causes that matter to enrich the quality of life in the Marshfield area”. Education is a valuable tool and a cause that matters to all of us. Through assisting students with financial support to receive an education, not only do students and the families of those students benefit, but also our community benefits, which further allows us to achieve our mission of enriching the quality of life in the Marshfield area.

Kenneth and Ardyce Heiting Scholarship (2025)

Nonprofit organizations supporting child welfare, youth development, education, health, or hunger relief in the U.S., including Connecticut, can seek funding from the Dale Jr Foundation. Grants support underprivileged children through safe housing, literacy and technology access, wellness and mental health services, food security, and experiences that build hope and confidence for young people facing adversity.

Orphaned or former foster care students planning full-time undergraduate study in the U.S. can receive college tuition support, mentoring, and leadership training through the ISF New Student Scholarship. Grants from Investing in the Success of Foster Youth help young people with foster care backgrounds, including those from Connecticut, pursue higher education and develop leadership skills.

With a mission to strengthen trauma-informed care, The Fund for Greater Hartford provides Connecticut child welfare organizations with up to US $5,000 to train staff who work directly with culturally diverse children. Eligible 501(c)(3)s in specified Greater Hartford communities can cover professional trainer fees, travel, lodging, materials, room reservations, food, and staff per diem.

The Helen M. McLoraine Foster Care and Emancipated Youth Scholarship provides financial support for youth from the foster care system in Colorado. With a minimum award of $1,000, the scholarship is aimed at those pursuing post-secondary education, including trade schools and universities. Recipients are selected based on academic performance, resilience, and financial need, ensuring that deserving individuals receive the assistance they need to succeed in their educational goals.

The Rotary Works Foundation Grant supports charitable projects primarily focused on children, youth, and families, emphasizing active Rotarian involvement. Grants range from $500 to $5,000, awarded prior to events. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(1) organizations. Preference is given to projects engaging Rotarians. The application deadline is the 2nd Wednesday of each month, and all grantees must report outcomes post-project.

The Center for Family Engagement Healthy Minds Fellowship, organized by the National PTA, invites active PTA leaders to enhance their mental health expertise over a 12-month cohort starting January 2026. Participants will receive a $1,500 stipend and engage in developing actionable plans to improve mental health initiatives in schools. This fellowship aims to empower leaders through workshops and collaborative efforts, fostering a supportive environment for mental wellness in educational settings.

The David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation offers grants to 501(c)(3) organizations focused on sight preservation, children's services, and environmental conservation, primarily in Utah. Established in memory of David Kelby Johnson, who tragically lost his life at a young age, the foundation aims to honor his legacy by supporting impactful charitable initiatives. Grants range from $5,000 to $100,000, with a commitment to improving communities both locally and globally.

The Crawford Taylor Foundation focuses on enhancing programs that create lasting legacies in St. Louis. With priorities in community development, women's health, animal welfare, and environmental preservation, the foundation seeks to support 501(c)(3) organizations that meet specific eligibility criteria. They avoid funding multi-year grants or for-profit initiatives, emphasizing support for local causes and relief efforts deemed important by the Taylor family.