NOTE: Contact your local office to discuss your specific project. Applications for this program are accepted year round.

What does this program do?

This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.

What is an eligible area?

Rural areas including cities, villages, townships and towns including Federally Recognized Tribal Lands with no more than 20,000 residents according to the latest U.S. Census Data are eligible for this program.

How may funds be used?

Funds can be used to purchase, construct, and / or improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment and pay related project expenses.

Examples of essential community facilities include:

• Health care facilities such as hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics, nursing homes or assisted living facilities.
• Public facilities such as town halls, courthouses, airport hangars or street improvements.
• Community support services such as child care centers, community centers, fairgrounds or transitional housing.
• Public safety services such as fire departments, police stations, prisons, police vehicles, fire trucks, public works vehicles or equipment.
• Educational services such as museums, libraries or private schools.
• Utility services such as telemedicine or distance learning equipment.
• Local food systems such as community gardens, food pantries, community kitchens, food banks, food hubs or greenhouses.

Grant Approval

Applicant must be eligible for grant assistance, which is provided on a graduated scale with smaller communities with the lowest median household income being eligible for projects with a higher proportion of grant funds. Grant assistance is limited to the following percentages of eligible project costs:

Maximum of 75 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 5,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 60 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.

Maximum of 55 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 12,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 70 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.

Maximum of 35 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 20,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 80 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.

Maximum of 15 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 20,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 90 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income. The proposed project must meet both percentage criteria. Grants are further limited.

About CT Humanities

Founded in 1974, Connecticut Humanities (CTH) is an independent, non-profit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. CTH connects people to the humanities through grants, partnerships, and collaborative programs. CTH projects, administration, and program development are supported by state and federal matching funds, community foundations, and gifts from private sources.

CTH has earned public trust through its responsible stewardship of federal, state, and private funds, its peer-review grant-making process, its online educational resources, and its work to support, stabilize, and strengthen the organizations and communities it serves.

CTH values and promotes inclusion, diversity, equity, and access in our workplace, on our board, with our partners, and through our funding.

Sponsorships

Sponsorships support public humanities events, programs, and opportunities that help institutions serving the people of Connecticut explore and promote the enduring value of public humanities in our lives and civil society. CT Humanities (CTH) sponsorships are intended to fund activities that align with CTH’s mission and strategic goals and objectives, with the intent of providing visibility and access to strategic audiences that are not currently being served by CTH through its normal grantmaking and other initiatives.

Funding

CTH will provide funding up to $2,000 for an organization’s event in return for marketing visibility and exposure. Requests for higher sponsorship support may be considered on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by CTH Staff prior to applying.

What does this program do?

It provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:

• To help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.
• Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.

Microenterprise Development Organizations must demonstrate experience in managing a Revolving Loan Fund, or:

• Certify that it or its employees have received education and training from a qualified microenterprise development training entity so that the applicant has the capacity to manage such a revolving loan fund.
• Demonstrate that it is actively and successfully participating as an intermediary lender in good standing under the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan Program or other similar loan programs as determined by the Administrator.

 What kind of funding is available?

• Grants are available to provide technical assistance to rural micro-entrepreneurs or microenterprises, up to $205,000 annually.
  • Funding at the requested level is not guaranteed, and at least 15 percent matching funds are required.

• Loans of $50,000 to $500,000 may be used for establishing a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund managed by the Microenterprise Development Organization.
  • Total aggregate debt is capped at $2.5 million.

What are the loan terms?

• Maximum term is 20 years.
• Two-year payment deferral.
• Must establish a loan loss reserve fund.

What terms are required on loans to ultimate recipients?

• Up to $50,000.
• Fixed interest rate.
• Limited to 75 percent of project cost.

How may the funds be used?

Microlenders may make microloans for qualified business activities and expenses including, but not limited to:

• Working capital.
• Debt refinancing.
• Purchasing equipment and supplies.
• Improving real estate.

Overview

The Long Island Sound Stewardship Fund (LISSF) is a competitive grant program seeking proposals to restore and protect the health and living resources of Long Island Sound. Up to $400,000 is expected to be available for grants in 2019. The availability of funds is contingent upon the quality of proposals received and their alignment with the priorities in this RFP. The LISSF aims to:

• Support nongovernmental organizations working on issues and projects related to the Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan 2015 (CCMP 2015);
• Help build stronger nongovernmental organizations working in this region;
• Foster collaboration and innovation around conservation and environmental quality work;
• Accelerate the “next best step” for proven strategies.

The Long Island Sound Funders Collaborative

The Long Island Sound Funders Collaborative is a group of funders with missions that include the protection and restoration Long Island Sound. As no funder is solely focused on this goal, we aim to build our effectiveness through collaboration. Since its inception, the Collaborative has worked together to educate ourselves about the myriad issues facing the Sound and about possible solutions. We have been engaged in aligned funding for almost eight years. The LISSF is an inaugural effort to pool our investments and expand our grantmaking. We will support projects that address pressing challenges and provide for a healthy, productive, and resilient Sound now and into the future. The LISSF is administered by the Long Island Community Foundation (LICF). Foundations providing support for grants under this RFP are: Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, Jeniam Foundation, Long Island Community Foundation, McCance Foundation, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, New York Community Trust, Pamela and Richard Rubinstein Foundation, Rauch Foundation, and Westchester Community Foundation.

Program Priorities

Capacity Building to increase the effectiveness of organizations that focus on restoration and protection of the health and living resources of Long Island Sound. Capacity-building can occur in every part of an organization, including programs, management, operations, technology, governance, fundraising and communications. Some examples of capacity-building strategies and tools for which funds may be requested are:

• Projects that enhance local capacity or staff capacity through training, assessment, planning, design, and other technical assistance-oriented activities.
• Strategic plan development
• Organization, program and service assessments or evaluation
• Fundraising plan development or developing diverse revenue sources
• Board and leadership development
• Technology improvements
• Accounting and budgeting improvements
• Marketing and communications planning
• Financial management or donor management, volunteer or administrative software
• Website design, brochure materials, printing and postage, presentation materials
• External forms of assistance such as peer mentoring or peer exchange elements, consultant services, coaching, or other third party methods for addressing organizational challenges.

Network Building to expand the diversity of organizations working together to improve the health and living resources of Long Island Sound. Network-building is defined as a group of partner organizations in a local area, watershed or region working towards the same goals and focused on specific outcomes. In all cases, these networks should be focused on unified action to help protect and restore Long Island Sound. Some examples of networking tools and strategies for which funds may be requested are:

• Regional forums, meetings or events that focus on current issues, provide a space for networking, and offer a place where information can be shared;
• Investigating and evaluating potential collaborations with the goal of developing sustainable partnerships or integrating and/or merging existing organizations;
• Establishing new collaborative activities among organizations. This may include increased coordination through the addition of new partners, new agreements for decision-making and sharing of resources, or new initiatives for established coalitions or collaborations;
• Shared visualization and data analysis tools, services, and/or strategies to map, manage, and communicate about local or regional environmental monitoring results;
• Project management, design, tools, support and/or services that bridge gaps in technical capacity of partner organizations;
• Technical assistance, training, resources, and/or leadership to facilitate action among organizations.

Piloting Tools & Strategies to add more value in terms of environmental and natural resource impact, and to foster the “next best step” for applicability or scalability across Long Island Sound. Activities may include scoping and design to set the stage for large, multi-year projects. Some examples of types of strategies and tools for which funds may be requested are:

• Advancing tools and strategies to address nutrient loading, Combined Sewer Overflows, storm water runoff, and nonpoint source loading e.g., new decentralized on-site wastewater treatment technologies, alternatives to chemical and nitrogen-intensive residential and commercial turf and landscaping, strategies to increase the rate of Green Infrastructure implementation, and the advancement of bio extraction;
• Advancing tools and strategies to restore coastal habitats and improve coastal resiliency e.g., living shorelines, addressing marsh subsidence, natural, nature-based, and green-gray (hybrid) infrastructure;
• Advancing tools and strategies to increase the knowledge and engagement of the targeted constituencies or the public in the protection and restoration of Long Island Sound e.g., social marketing, User-friendly technology (digital services/tools kits) to foster communication, public campaigns around pressing environmental problems;
• In-field application of new technologies and management approaches.

Small Projects with Big Impacts to clean waters, restore habitat, sustain wildlife, and engage the public in restoration and protection of the health and living resources of Long Island Sound. By big impact we mean activities with the promise to accelerate local water quality improvements, natural resource restoration, and community outreach and engagement. Some examples of types of projects or activities for which funds may be requested follow and may also be found under “Implementation Actions” in the CCMP 2015:

• Water quality and habitat restoration to support on-the-ground projects that reduce or prevent water pollution, restore habitat or sustain fish and wildlife;
• Design/planning to support activities that set the stage for on-the-ground implementation of water quality or habitat restoration;
• Education and public community/engagement to support hands-on, visible public participation and education.

Size of Grant Awards

The LISS Fund has two categories of grants:

Capacity Building, Network Building, and Piloting Tools & Strategies: Generally, will range in value from $15,000 to $100,000. Proposed projects or programs may include scoping and design to set the stage for large, multi-year projects. Please note there will be fewer grants at the higher end of the grant range. Proposals requesting larger amounts of funding e.g., $50,000> must demonstrate regional value and scope, partnerships, and higher impact of the project or program to the Long Island Sound and communities and constituencies served.

Small Projects with Big Impacts: Generally, will range in value from $3,000 to $10,000.

What kind of funding is available?

There are two types of RBDG projects, Opportunity grants and Enterprise grants. Opportunity type grants are limited to up to 10 percent of the total Rural Business Development Grant annual funding. Enterprise type grants must be used on projects to benefit small and emerging businesses in rural areas as specified in the grant application.

How may Enterprise type funds be used?

• Training and technical assistance, such as project planning, business counseling and training, market research, feasibility studies, professional or/technical reports, or producer service improvements.
• Acquisition or development of land, easements, or rights of way; construction, conversion, renovation of buildings; plants, machinery, equipment, access for streets and roads; parking areas and utilities.
• Pollution control and abatement.
• The capitalization of revolving loan funds, including funds that will make loans for start-ups and working capital.
• Rural distance learning for job training and advancement for adult students.
• Rural transportation improvement.
• Community economic development.
• Technology-based economic development.
• Feasibility studies and business plans.
• Leadership and entrepreneur training.
• Rural business incubators.
• Long-term business strategic planning.

How may Opportunity type funds be used?

• Community economic development.
• Technology-based economic development.
• Feasibility studies and business plans.
• Leadership and entrepreneur training.
• Rural business incubators.
• Long-term business strategic planning.

Mission

The Lloyd G. Balfour Foundation was established in 1973. The Foundation's 3 primary focus areas reflect Mr. Balfour's strong affinity for the employees of the Balfour Company, his commitment to the city of Attleboro, Massachusetts, and his lifelong interest in education. Specifically, the Balfour Foundation supports:

• Educational scholarships to employees of the Balfour Company, as well as to their children and grandchildren
• Organizations serving the people of Attleboro, with special consideration given to those organizations that provide educational, human services and health care programming for underserved populations
• Educational organizations that serve New England

Focus Area

Educational Organizations

The Foundation's educational funding is generally focused on organizations or programs that provide support for underserved or under-represented populations to prepare for, access and succeed in higher education, including 2-year and 4-year institutions.

It is clear that Mr. Balfour was interested in supporting students for successful completion of college. As such, the Foundation focuses its grantmaking in the New England area on programs that support college readiness, access, and success. The Foundation is most interested in programs that support students all the way into and through post-secondary credential attainment (2- or 4-year credentials). Programs within institutions of higher education aimed at attracting, supporting, and retaining (through successful completion) under-served and under-represented populations are also of interest. In this area, we will consider applications that request scholarship funds, if those scholarships are part of a broader set of services and supports.

About Us

Since its founding in 1997, Horizon Foundation has funded non-profit organizations that meet the mission goals in places where our trustees live and work. Grant funding concentrates on building organizational and community-wide effectiveness, developing opportunities, raising aspirations, and generally making a positive and lasting difference.

Our Mission

Horizon Foundation supports non-profit organizations that aspire to create and maintain sustainable, vibrant and resilient communities by:

• Enabling children and adults to lead their communities in creative, healthy and thoughtful ways;
• Educating citizens to be good stewards of the environment;
• Conserving land and water resources;
• Encouraging service to others;
• Promoting visual arts and music, and;
• Teaching appreciation of and preserving historic assets.

Outside of Maine

Outside of Maine, Horizon is particularly focused on identifying and supporting organizations that:

• Encourage learning in the classroom and beyond;
• Help to build self-esteem;
• Motivate individuals to reach for higher levels of educational proficiency and competency, and;
• Strive to increase the number of safe places for children to learn, share, and ultimately become stronger leaders for the future.

Outside of Maine, our grants will support organizations that strive to keep educational opportunities vital and operational by maintaining critical connections through distance learning as well as in person.

Grant Size

Horizon generally will make grants in the $5,000 to $20,000 range, with an average grant size of about $12,500. While many grants will be for onetime projects, multi-year support will be considered. The Foundation will consider proposals for both challenge or matching grants, and encourages collaborative efforts with other grant makers.

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 draws employees.  

The Nordson Foundation is dedicated to improving our communities by supporting the continuum of education from birth to adulthood in the belief that education is the key for individuals to become self-sufficient, productive members of society.  

To prepare individuals for economic independence, a variety of quality educational experiences are necessary. To be successful today, individuals not only need to master the basics, “reading, writing and arithmetic”, they must also know how to think critically and creatively. Strengthening the community’s human capital – through quality education – is crucial.  

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

Housing Policy and Advocacy

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is pleased to announce a competitive grant opportunity focused on supporting policy and advocacy activities (such as administrative advocacy, state legislative advocacy and municipal advocacy) aimed at creating pathways to more accessible, affordable, stable and higher quality housing for residents of color, low-income residents, and/or residents experiencing unique housing barriers (such as returning citizens). Proposals may be focused on advocacy at the state level and/or the Greater Hartford region. 

Grants will fund activities to take place for up to one year, with a potential focus on the Winter/Spring 2023 legislative session. Grants may support advocacy around a variety of housing issues facing residents of color and low-income residents including, but not limited to, housing segregation, housing choice, housing quality, housing stability, reentry housing and pathways to more inclusive housing development. These efforts may include administrative lobbying, state- or municipal-level legislative and/or grassroots lobbying, as defined by Connecticut law. These efforts may also include resident and/or policymaker education through the creation of materials, forums, videos, etc. The Foundation does not support or oppose candidates for public office or make expenditures related to election ballots.

All proposals will be asked to describe to what extent activities are led/informed by resident voice, as well as the research basis for the proposed policy recommendations. Priority will be given to proposals that promote the leadership and voice of Hartford residents and residents who are persons of color. 

Award

The Hartford Foundation is open to requests for support of up to $25,000 that may include, but are not limited to: temporary staffing or stipends for volunteers, contracting for professional services, materials, marketing, or costs for virtual or in-person convenings (as long as they are in compliance with all federal and state public health regulations).