Best Grants for Charities in Connecticut

Connecticut charities and 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving youth through health, education, development, or welfare programs can seek funding that supports child welfare, early childhood development, poverty relief, and related services. Focused on enriching children’s lives worldwide, the Dan Paul Foundation offers grants up to US $15,000 for aligned programs, including environmental and refugee enrichment initiatives.

Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation provides Connecticut charities and other early-stage social impact organizations with up to US $300,000 to scale proven solutions for underserved communities. Eligible independent nonprofits and impact-first for-profits must be post-pilot, under 10 years old, operating in areas like poverty, health, education, environment, or economic mobility, with clear plans for exponential growth.

The Global Impact Cash Grants by Cisco Systems Foundation support innovative early-stage solutions aimed at addressing significant social problems. Targeting nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, these grants focus on four key sectors: crisis response, education, economic empowerment, and climate regeneration. Eligible organizations must demonstrate alignment with these areas, particularly serving underserved communities. The foundation seeks to leverage technology for impactful solutions, ensuring sustainability and community resilience through strategic investments.

Cultural nonprofits in Connecticut and across the U.S. can seek funding for arts and science programs that engage youth and create measurable impact. William Randolph Hearst Foundation supports established 501(c)(3) institutions such as museums, theaters, ballets, symphonies, and arts schools with program, capital, and limited general or endowment support, with awards more than US $100,000.

The Hearst Foundation's Social Service Grant focuses on tackling chronic poverty by funding direct-service organizations that implement effective solutions for economic independence and family strengthening. With a mission to support diverse nonprofits in the U.S., the Foundation allocates approximately 15% of its total funding to social services, prioritizing scalable programs that serve significant populations. The minimum grant size is $100,000, and special consideration is given to organizations addressing affordable housing, domestic violence, and youth development.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation provides grants to organizations focused on improving the lives of children in urban poverty in the U.S., India, and South Africa. They prioritize projects in education, health, and family economic stability. Grants typically do not exceed 25% of a project's budget or 10% of an organization's annual expenses. The foundation seeks to partner with organizations already making an impact, ensuring funding supports impactful social enterprises.

Roche Corporate Donations and Philanthropy (CDP) focuses on impactful projects that foster sustainable development, engage employees, and leverage Roche's expertise. Their philanthropic efforts prioritize humanitarian, educational, environmental, and cultural initiatives, aiming to build stronger communities and support innovative projects. Eligibility is limited to local organizations, while ineligible projects include those with political or religious ties. The foundation strives to create a positive societal impact through collaboration and strategic partnerships.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) charities working in education, science, health, medicine, or other charitable programs can apply for support from the Sidney Stern Memorial Trust, with funds used within the country. With a mission to advance charitable, scientific, medical, and educational work, the Trust provides Connecticut charities with project or program funding that benefits the general welfare.

The Cowles Charitable Trust Grant supports initiatives aligned with the philanthropic legacy of Gardner Cowles, Jr. Focused on education, social justice, health, and the arts, it favors organizations recognized as 501(c)(3) by the IRS. The Trust encourages applications for general operating support and seeks partnerships rather than being the sole funder. Notably, it considers applications from established partners and supports efforts in Downstate New York and South Florida, with a preference for diverse funding sources.

Connecticut charities serving women and girls in Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington, and Wolcott can access funding through Main Street Community Foundation to run programs and related capital projects. Grants prioritize services for senior women, confidence-building and leadership for girls and teens, and non-clinical mental health and well-being initiatives.

Nonprofits, municipalities, and religious organizations in Connecticut serving Windsor Locks can receive US $250 - US $5,000 for single, deliverable community projects advancing racial equity and economic mobility. Greater Hartford Gives Foundation supports efforts in arts and culture, basic human needs, civic engagement, employment opportunities, and thriving neighborhoods that benefit residents within its 29-town Greater Hartford region.

Connecticut 501(c)(3) public charities providing education, health services, food security, or affordable housing may be eligible for invitation-only program support in the greater Bridgeport area. The Elizabeth M Pfriem Foundation supports innovative, growth-ready initiatives that improve conditions for vulnerable children and families, with a focus on sustainable, high-impact community programs.

The Robinson Foundation Grant, established in 2016, aims to alleviate hardships faced by individuals and communities, demonstrating God's love through charitable contributions. As a family-operated foundation, it focuses on creating meaningful, long-term impacts in various areas including animal welfare, education, and disaster relief. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501(c)(3) public charities. The foundation prioritizes fiscally responsible projects with the potential for tangible results, while not supporting capital projects.

Connecticut 501(c)(3) charities serving low-income communities and working in areas like affordable housing, economic development, financial health, or workforce readiness can receive US $1,000,000 in unrestricted support over three years. Focused on community progress, Citi Foundation invites eligible Fairfield County organizations to apply when RFPs reopen, offering funding plus technical assistance and peer-learning opportunities.

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 Lawrence Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2000, dedicated to granting funds for environmental and human services causes. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public schools, with grants typically ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. The foundation supports unrestricted grants for various projects, including disaster relief and environmental programs, but does not fund individuals or for-profit entities. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with the foundation's priorities.

Educational charities and 501(c)(3) organizations in Connecticut focused on college readiness, access, and success for underserved students can seek support for programs, research, and small capital needs. With a mission to advance higher education outcomes, Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation provides multi-year grants to New England educational efforts, including eligible Connecticut initiatives.

Connecticut 501(c)(3) public charities serving under-served Fairfield County residents can seek funding to develop or expand high-impact human and social services programs. Focused on transformative core mission projects, Impact 100 Fairfield awards US $100,000 over 24 months, with limited general operating support allowed, to organizations with audited financials and a project budget of at least that amount.

Connecticut 501(c)(3) public charities serving Kensington residents can receive funding for educational, cultural, environmental, health, and human services programs. Marjorie Moore Charitable Foundation provides one-year operating or program grants, with multi-year capital support considered case by case, prioritizing organizations offering human services or health care for underserved populations.

Focused on arts and culture, the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development invites Connecticut 501(c)(3) arts nonprofits to seek unrestricted support for operations, programming, equipment, or endowments. Eligible charities must be Connecticut-based arts organizations that spend most of their budget on arts initiatives and have raised over $15,000 in private donations for two consecutive years.

Connecticut 501(c)(3) public charities working on regenerative agriculture, soil health, biodiversity, or nutrition education can access funding via Hillman Family Foundations through the Lilah Hilliard Fisher Foundation. Grants support projects in Litchfield County and the broader Northeast, with some funding also available for youth development, social justice, anti-trafficking, and safety-net services.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) charities and educational institutions in the Long Island Sound watershed in Connecticut can apply for the Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund, awarding US $15,000 - US $200,000 for conservation and restoration projects. Administered by New York Community Trust, it supports environmental stewardship, habitat protection, and resilient, sustainable communities around Long Island Sound.

With a mission to support charitable purposes, the Anne S. Richardson Fund provides Connecticut 501(c)(3) public charities with project, capital, and limited operating support. Ridgefield organizations assisting lower-income residents or community-wide needs, and Fairfield County programs for women’s independence, LGBTQIA+ services, youth development, or environmental conservation may be especially competitive.

Connecticut 501(c)(3) charities and other nonprofits can seek funding for religious, educational, charitable, or scientific purposes through the David, Helen, and Marian Woodward Fund. The fund supports program areas including arts and culture, education, environment and animals, health, human services, public benefit, and religion, with grants also available to governmental agencies across New England and New York.

Connecticut 501(c)(3) charities offering youth STEAM education can access funding through Cox Communications, with grants of US $5,000 - US $12,000. Eligible nonprofits must be in a Cox East serviceable area and run programs in science, technology, engineering, arts, or math, including youth innovation, conservation, sustainability, or inclusion initiatives.

Connecticut 501(c)(3) public charities serving people in Glastonbury can seek one-year support for programs in health and human services, youth services, education, arts, religion, and enjoyment of the natural environment. Grants from George H.C. Ensworth Memorial Fund help local charities strengthen community well-being across these eligible program areas.

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award honors exemplary nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that foster collaborative partnerships across sectors. Annually, a national competition showcases numerous organizations demonstrating impactful community partnerships. Six organizations receive recognition, including the Thomas J. Moran Award, which offers $100,000, and the Frances R. Hesselbein Award, granting $75,000. Since 1996, the award has acknowledged 262 partnerships, emphasizing Mutual of America's commitment to societal improvement through collaboration.