Best Community Development Grants in Connecticut

The St. Mary's Bank Charitable Foundation 1908 Funds Grants provide financial support to nonprofit organizations in New Hampshire, focusing on community development and services. Established to uphold St. Mary’s Bank's commitment to social responsibility, these grants, ranging from $500 to $5,000, aim to foster financial independence and address issues like homelessness, youth support, and civic engagement. The Foundation prioritizes projects that benefit local communities and promote long-term sustainability.

St. Mary's Bank Charitable Foundation Community Support Grants aim to enhance community welfare by providing financial support to nonprofit organizations. With a commitment to 'people helping people' since 1908, the foundation focuses on areas like youth programming, homelessness, and civic support. In 2023 alone, they donated over $200,000 to 190 organizations, reflecting their dedication to improving lives in New Hampshire. They prioritize funding for nonprofits within their service areas, ensuring impactful contributions to local communities.

Enhearten Micro Grant supports unseen leaders by providing funding for community-driven projects that embody values of humility, integrity, and love. Grants range from $500 to $1,000 and are awarded after a thorough review process. Enhearten aims to empower these leaders, who often lack access to traditional funding sources, by fostering reparative networks that prioritize equality and justice. This initiative seeks to create opportunities for transformative community engagement and support.

The Ferguson Cares Grant is an essential aspect of Ferguson's Sustainability strategy, focusing on social challenges and community wellbeing. This grant supports nonprofit organizations in the U.S. dedicated to affordable housing, skilled trades workforce development, clean water access, and enhancing local economic quality of life. Ferguson aims to create lasting partnerships that drive positive impact within their operational regions, reflecting their commitment to social responsibility and community support.

OneRural provides essential technical assistance to rural organizations, fostering the development of affordable housing and community initiatives. This program offers tailored support, helping organizations enhance their operational capabilities and drive impactful change. By accessing expert resources and training, participants can effectively navigate challenges, improve program outcomes, and strengthen community resilience. This initiative targets nonprofits and tribal entities, ensuring that rural communities receive the guidance needed for sustainable growth and development.

BMO Gives is committed to fostering positive societal impact through community support and charitable initiatives. It focuses on enhancing community and economic resilience, as well as environmental sustainability. Eligible applicants must be registered charities or non-profits operating in Canada or the U.S. and align with BMO's corporate values, which promote inclusivity and non-discrimination. The program aims to support projects that address significant societal needs and empower local communities.

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation focuses on supporting organizations that empower communities through basic needs, income creation, and stable housing. By investing in health and job opportunities, they aim to enhance economic mobility for low- and moderate-income families. Their partnerships target vulnerable populations, ensuring equitable access to resources that foster community vitality and resilience. This initiative emphasizes the importance of stable housing as a foundation for personal and communal growth.

The Andover Greater Together Community Fund Grant aims to empower local organizations by providing financial support ranging from $250 to $10,000. Established by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, this initiative encourages civic engagement and community ownership of local needs. It invites registered nonprofits and the Town of Andover to apply, fostering growth in philanthropy and volunteerism within the Greater Hartford region. This funding opportunity addresses community priorities while enhancing awareness of local challenges and opportunities.

The Affirm Cares Employee Foundation Grant, established by Affirm, aims to support non-profit organizations making a significant impact in financial literacy, community enrichment, and technology education. Grants range from $1,000 to $10,000, focusing on sustainable initiatives that empower communities and alleviate housing insecurity. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) designated non-profits operating within the U.S. The foundation prioritizes measurable outcomes in its funding efforts, fostering civic engagement and vibrant communities.

The KeyBank Foundation offers Community Sponsorships to support local organizations in their fundraising efforts. These sponsorships range from $500 to $5,000 and can fund events or provide general operating support. Applications are accepted from January to October, with a decision made within 90 days. Eligible nonprofits must serve areas where KeyBank operates and adhere to strict ineligibility criteria, including no support for individuals or organizations that discriminate based on various identities.

The Distressed Cities Technical Assistance (DCTA) Program provides competitive funding for eligible applicants to deliver technical assistance to local governments serving economically distressed communities of 50,000 or fewer residents. Selected awardees collaborate closely with HUD to enhance the capabilities of UGLG officials and staff, ensuring they effectively address community needs. Applicants may focus on broad HUD jurisdictions or specific areas as specified in the program's NOFO.

The Prioritization Process Pilot Program (PPPP) Competitive Grant Program, funded by the DOT Federal Highway Administration, offers up to $26 million for innovative transportation planning in FYs 2024-2026. Grants of up to $2 million will support the development of transparent, data-driven prioritization processes for project selection in transportation plans, ensuring that funded projects deliver public benefits and meet community needs.

About

The Jewish Community Foundation helps donors achieve their philanthropic goals, while building a permanent pool of funds to ensure that Greater Hartford’s Jewish community is here forever.

Start a charitable fund with us. We invest your funds so they grow and continue to support the causes you love today and in perpetuity. Whether you want to invest in Jewish continuity, educate kids or support our seniors, the Foundation can help you put your vision into action.

Guided by Jewish values, we establish a culture of endowment giving throughout our community.

Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford Grant

The Jewish Community Foundation has a responsibility to invest in the long-term strength and vitality of our community. Our grants support strategic programs and services that address a clear need in Greater Hartford’s Jewish community.

The Foundation does not fund ongoing operations, but rather looks for unique opportunities that – without the Foundation’s support – might not be possible. The Foundation’s community grants generally focus on Jewish organizations in the Greater Hartford area, for one or more of the following purposes:

• seed funding for innovative programs or programs that fill a need or service gap in the community
• capacity building support
• strategic capital
• in limited circumstances, one-time programs (maximum $10,000)

Community Grant Making Process

The Jewish Community Foundation accepts grant proposals on a rolling basis. They are reviewed by staff and a Grants Committee comprised of volunteer community members and approved by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. Grant decisions are typically shared within 3-6 months of submission. The Grants Committee generally meets 4 times per year. Prior to applying, the Executive Director or chief staff person should consult with the Foundation’s grants department by sending an email to grants @ jcfhartford dot org.

When Applying to the Jewish Community Foundation, Consider the Following:

• A limit of one grant application from an organization will be considered each grant cycle.
• Focus on the strategic impact of the grant and its alignment with the long-term goals of the program and/or project. Grant reviewers require a comprehensive understanding of the “why” behind the proposal, not just the “what”.
• Put yourself in the position of grants committee members who are not familiar with your program. Anticipate the questions they might have and address these in your written proposal.
• Do not apply for a grant for a project to which you’ve already committed.
• The short and long-term goals are important in the consideration of any grant.
• The submission of a grant does not guarantee funding in part, or in whole, by the Jewish Community Foundation. The Foundation reserves the right to fund a grant at whatever level it deems appropriate.

Melton Foundation

The Melton Foundation is an international 501(c)(3) non-profit organization registered in the USA, and a leading proponent of Global Citizenship education and practice worldwide. Established nearly thirty years ago with the credence that collaborations across boundaries can forge sustainable solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges, today, our programs reach millions of young leaders, having crystallized into a network of over 750 life-long Melton Fellows spread across 40+ countries. Our primary operations are in Chile, China, Germany, Ghana, India, and the United States of America, with legal subsidiaries in Bangalore, India; Jena, Germany; Temuco, Chile; and Accra, Ghana. 

Through our fellowship and collaborative programs we promote and enable global citizenship as a way for individuals and organizations to work together across boundaries of place and identity to solve challenges in an interconnected world.

Melton Foundation Action Grants

The Melton Foundation offers grants year-round to support Melton Fellows in developing skills, perspective and wider networks to further their capacity as global citizens and contribute towards building an equitable, sustainable, and peaceful world.

In almost 10 years of granting, more than 100 Fellows’ initiatives have been awarded with a Melton Foundation grant to

• Build awareness and/or further awareness raising around global issues and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
• Develop individual and collective responsibility for sustained, collaborative action,
• Grow capacity to collaboratively drive and sustain social impact at the local and/or global level,
• Further the design, implementation and evaluation of collaborative actions that embody the spirit of global citizenship practice and further social impact, or
• Support coordinated social-impact efforts in a particular or across (emerging) Melton Foundation Hub regions to promote global citizenship practice (s) and the organization’s mission.

The Hispanic-Serving Institutions Education Grants Program aims to enhance the educational capabilities of HSIs through innovative teaching and community development initiatives. Funded projects will not only serve the Hispanic population but will benefit the entire student body, promoting inclusivity. This program encourages applications that integrate applied research with community outreach, fostering experiential learning opportunities for students. The initiative aspires to set benchmarks for educational excellence at regional and national levels.

About RWJF

At the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, we take bold leaps to transform health in our lifetime and pave the way, together, to a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right. We take our responsibilities seriously, and pledge to work in ways that reflect our values.

Connecting Champions for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in the Health Professions

RWJF seeks to fund one lead organization or consortium to serve as a national network-weaver for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) in the health professions. The selected grantee will connect and support leaders, organizations, and institutions across the ecosystem, strengthening relationships, aligning strategy and communications, and facilitating shared learning and collective action. By building the connections and infrastructure needed for collaboration, the grantee will help advance belonging, accountability, and systems change across health professions education and healthcare institutions.

Achieving a healthcare system grounded in equity requires both a diverse health professions workforce and institutions committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB). While diverse teams improve quality of care and health outcomes, RWJF has learned that increasing representation alone is insufficient without addressing structural and institutional barriers that shape belonging, leadership, advancement, and accountability. Structural racism and other forms of systemic inequity continue to limit opportunity across the health professions education and healthcare institutions.

Lasting change requires not only supporting diverse leaders, but also strengthening connections among educational institutions, healthcare organizations, professional associations, accrediting and credentialing bodies, students, advocates, community actors, and others within the health professions ecosystem, whose relationships, actions, practices, and mindsets shape health outcomes for the communities they serve. These relationships create the support, trust, shared learning, and coordinated action necessary to advance DEIB and build a more equitable healthcare system. 

About Boeing

A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.

The Employees Community Fund (ECF) of The Boeing Company

One of the largest employee-managed funds of its kind in the world, the Employees Community Fund (ECF) of The Boeing Company has empowered employees to make a greater impact by pooling their tax-deductible donations for more than 60 years. Employee-led grantmaking committees at 20 Boeing sites provide combined employee donations to nonprofits in their communities through ECF grants.

Charitable or educational organizations can apply for grants from the Employees Community Fund (ECF) of The Boeing Company.

Puget Sound Chapter

The Employees Community Fund (ECF) of Boeing Puget Sound is a pooled fund consisting of recurring payroll contributions from generous Boeing employees. It funds local nonprofits that help thousands of families and individuals in the Puget Sound region where Boeing employees live and work.

ECF focus areas

ECF makes grants to 501(c)(3) Health & Human Service nonprofits such as food banks, job-training programs, shelters, transitional housing, mental health services, and low-income medical clinics. ECF seeks the direct client benefit of each grant to ensure that our employees’ contributions directly help those in need.

ECF funding criteria

ECF has two distinct grant categories – Supporting Grants and Capital Campaign Grants.

ECF of Boeing Company: Puget Sound Chapter Supporting Grants

Consideration is given to nonprofits/agencies that are performing well and are seeking to upgrade, replace or modify elements of their infrastructure.

• Supporting grants cannot exceed $50,000. The requested amount cannot be more than 10% of an agency’s gross annual revenue.
• Supporting grants will be considered only for agencies benefiting residents in the Puget Sound Region.
• Supporting grants help agencies continue to effectively provide services through enhanced direct client benefit by aiding them in procuring and/or paying for items such as:
  • Equipment (ex. office, kitchen, industrial, furniture, etc.)
  • Vehicles used to support clients and/or transport food and/or goods (cost of vehicle and accommodations, tax, and licensing only; operating expenses, such as insurance, fuel, etc. is not allowed)
  • Phone systems
  • Cell phones for direct client use
  • Remodels and/or renovations (must hold at least a 10-year lease or own the building)
  • Purchase or construction of new buildings
  • Computers or tablets for direct client benefit and/or use
  • Software for direct client benefit and/or use (ex. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device)
  • Information Technology expenses, without which procured tools would not work
  • External improvements for client safety (i.e. security system, exterior lighting, improved ADA accessibility, new or refinished pavement or concrete)
• Supporting grants which are accepted must be spent as approved within nine (9) months.

Wind Creek Hospitality Community Support

Our communities are like family. That’s why Wind Creek is dedicated to giving back and helping others thrive in the places we call home (and beyond). We’re always looking for creative ways to lift up our neighborhoods and make life better for us all.

Sponsorships, Donations and Giveaways

Wind Creek Hospitality Community Relations actively builds partnerships with service organizations, non-profits, educational organizations and more. If you’d like to partner with us, please submit an application at least 90 days before your event or donation is needed.

The National Leadership Grants for Museums, offered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, support innovative projects addressing critical needs in the museum sector. These grants aim to enhance museum services for the public by fostering the development and replication of effective practices, tools, and collaborations, particularly leveraging new technologies. Eligible projects can significantly advance the professional field, ensuring museums remain vital community resources.

The Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants program, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, aids Native Communities in enhancing library services. It empowers Tribal libraries to adapt to evolving information needs and serve as vital resource centers. By addressing the unique priorities of each community, this initiative fosters knowledge sharing and supports the overall wellness of Tribal members, ensuring they have access to essential information and resources.

The National Leadership Grants for Libraries (NLG-L) program, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, aims to enhance library services across the nation. By supporting projects that promote adult reading, health and financial literacy, and effective use of new technologies, this initiative fosters community prosperity and builds partnerships among libraries, archives, and museums. The grants ensure that libraries can respond effectively to public needs and enhance their contributions to education and information access.

Delaney Family Foundation 

The Delaney Family Foundation is a private family foundation focused on making grants to support Wildlife and Land Conservation, Education, Healthcare and Community Betterment.

The Delaney Family Foundation was established in 2013. We make both program and operating grants and do not have geographical restrictions.  

Grant Information

Grants are awarded annually. The following criteria will be used in confirming that grant requests match the goals of The Delaney Family Foundation.

• Clarity of Purpose – the request should be clearly defined with a specific description of how goals/tasks will be achieved and how funds will be spent.
• Potential for Success – the organization must demonstrate that they have funding sources, manpower, and community support as well as the time to achieve their goals. Projects must be realistic.
• Leadership – stability in the organization is a requirement, as well as a well-deserved reputation for results.
• Site Visits – While not always possible, site visits by board members prior to gifting, during gifting or following may be considered.

 We may consider multi-year grants.

Mission: A non-profit, charitable, Private Foundation established in 1959 by the Long family to support local charities, schools, education events and general community needs.

Grants

Our approach to grant requests focuses on fostering local neighborhood vitality and excellence. The John F. Long Foundation supports local non-profit organizations that promote this objective. The Foundation looks for groups who are working to help themselves, help their own communities, and help others like themselves through self-empowering, community organizing efforts. To be eligible for consideration, the grant request must meet the following criteria:

• Funds’ use must have measurable benefits
• Your organization must have good management, a solid financial background, well-established administration policies and Board of Directors
• The grant request must be precise and complete, providing necessary detail
• The Foundation Questionnaire is to be completed in its entirety
• The grant request amount and time frame must be clearly communicated, i.e. one-time grant, ongoing support, or special project
• If your request is for a particular event or program, providing a budget is always helpful
• Requests for grants of $1,000.00 or more, as well as groups we have not funded within the past two years, must: (i) Provide financial reports/statements for past and current fiscal year; (ii) Provide a list of past donors going back no more than two years.

T7 Social Impact GrantsThe T.D. Jakes Foundation (TDJF), in partnership with Wells Fargo, is proud to launch the Social Impact Grant Challenge, a transformative funding opportunity designed to identify, support, and amplify nonprofit organizations creating meaningful change in communities across the United States.

Designed around the T.D. Jakes Foundation's pillars of service (Educational Access & Workforce Readiness, financial inclusion, and community transformation and well-being), the Challenge seeks innovative nonprofit organizations that are addressing critical social issues through impactful, scalable, and sustainable solutions.

Finalists selected through this process will have the opportunity to showcase their organization through a live presentation at the inaugural Thriving Seven (T7) Summit, taking place November 12 –14 in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to competing for grant funding, finalists will gain national visibility for their work and connect with nonprofit leaders, funders, and changemakers from across the country.Grant Funding: A total of $1,500,000 in grant funding is anticipated to be awarded: 

• One (1) - $500,000 grant
• One (1) - $250,000 grant
• Two (2) - $100,000 grant
• Eleven (11) - $50,000 grant

Fairfield County’s Community Foundation

Fairfield County’s Community Foundation works closely with local organizations, nonprofits, businesses, government, and philanthropists to address challenges and identify opportunities to create a stronger, more vibrant region. Informed by three decades of partnering with and serving our community, we have awarded more than $420 million in grants to nonprofits in Fairfield County and beyond.

General Operating Support Grants

General Operating seeks to support highly effective organizations that are critical to the achievement of one or more of our key result areas, center systems-change work that addresses the root causes of inequity, and have a proven track record of effectiveness and impact. Reporting will focus on the organization’s overall impact and effectiveness. We recommend that organizations previously funded by the Foundation apply for general operating support. Only those organizations that are highly aligned with FCCF’s systems-change priority should apply for general operating support. The grant sizes will range up to $50,000.

We will offer two pools of applicants, both providing General Operating Support (GOS) funding. Both are open to organizations that have previously received funding from FCCF.

• Pool 1: Strategic Partner Grants (This is an invitation-only process);
• Pool 2: Community Impact Grants

Community Impact Grants

This funding pool is intended to provide more flexible support through a streamlined process.

Key features:

• No Letter of Intent (LOI) required
• Grant awards of up to $10,000–$15,000

About Us

Harbor Freight is America’s #1 Tool Store with more than 1600 locations nationwide. Founded in 1977 by Eric Smidt, the company began as a small mail-order tool business in North Hollywood, California. Over 75 million customers have come to Harbor Freight for our unmatched assortment of quality tools at an unbeatable value, including automotive, air and power tools, storage, outdoor power equipment, generators, welding supplies, shop equipment, hand tools, and much more.

Harbor Freight Tools Gift Card Donation Requests

If you are a Harbor Freight Associate and have been affected by an unexpected, unavoidable crisis and are in financial need, please apply to our Employee Emergency Relief Fund (EERF). To apply, go to www.myHFT.com to review our FAQs, guidelines, eligibility requirements and application form.

For all other donation requests, please note that we have recently updated our criteria. You can find the current eligibility requirements below.

All donations are given in the form of Harbor Freight Store gift cards. We do not provide cash donations, event sponsorships or support for individuals.

Harbor Freight Tools proudly supports the following:

Skilled Trades Education

• Skilled trades classes that emphasize the expert use of tools and materials to build, repair and maintain products and structures. Fields include Agricultural Mechanics, Carpentry, Construction, Electrical, HVAC, Advanced Manufacturing, Plumbing, Transportation Mechanics and Repair, and Welding
• Donation requests must be submitted by a K-12 public-school teacher for their own school/classroom. Harbor Freight store gift cards are given directly to the school/teacher requesting one. We do not provide donations to outside organizations, clubs or third parties.

National Main Street Center Inc.

Main Street America (MSA) leads an inclusive, impact-driven movement dedicated to reenergizing and strengthening older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts through place-based economic development and community preservation. We work in collaboration with thousands of local partners and grassroots leaders across the nation who share our commitment to advancing shared prosperity, creating resilient economies, and improving quality of life.

Main Street America was founded in 1980 as the National Main Street Center®, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Over the past 40 years the MSA network has helped to generate over $115.27 billion in local reinvestment, rehab 345,801 buildings, create 815,894 new jobs, and start 181,647 new businesses in over 2,000 communities. 

Great American Main Street Awards

Main Street America celebrates communities whose successes serve as a model for comprehensive, preservation-based revitalization efforts in their historic downtowns and commercial corridor districts with the Great American Main Street Awards (GAMSA).

Winners represent the diversity of communities in the Main Street America network — small towns, mid-sized communities, and urban commercial districts from every region in the country — and demonstrate the power of the Main Street Approach™. Since the inception of the Great American Main Street Awards in 1995, 118 Main Street programs have been honored.

Selection Criteria: Semifinalists and winners are selected from a nationwide pool of applicants by a jury of Main Street professionals and leaders in the fields of community and economic development and historic preservation. Criteria for winning GAMSA include: strength of the Main Street program in spurring community transformation, commitment to historic preservation, innovative programming, implementation of cross-sector partnerships, community outreach and stakeholder engagement, and ensuring their downtown districts are for everyone. 

Accolades & Ceremony: Semifinalists are promoted through Main Street America’s digital channels and receive media relations support. Winners also receive a short documentary film, a plaque, communications and media relations support, prominent placement on the Main Street America website for two years, and recognition at the 2027 Main Street Now Conference in Detroit, Michigan.