Best New Haven County Grants for Nonprofits in Connecticut

The Guilford Foundation Sponsorships aim to support organizations that serve the Guilford community by providing funding for qualifying events. This initiative, in partnership with GSB, is designed to enhance visibility and facilitate fundraising efforts. Eligible recipients include 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations and governmental agencies that contribute positively to the community. By sponsoring events such as galas and road races, the foundation seeks to foster community engagement and support local initiatives.

Volunteer-led and small nonprofit community groups in New Haven County, Connecticut can seek funding for new or recurring civic and community engagement programs, with awards of US $250 - US $2,500. With a mission to strengthen local communities, Valley Community Foundation provides support to organizations serving Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton that meet its staffing and non-discrimination criteria.

The Iroquois Community Grant Program, established in 2007, aims to enhance the quality of life in communities hosting Iroquois facilities through funding initiatives focused on environmental preservation, passive recreation, historic preservation, and arts and culture. Grants range from $2,500 to $10,000 and are available to local governments and nonprofit organizations. The program prioritizes projects that demonstrate community involvement and alignment with grant objectives, fostering sustainable benefits for the communities served.

The VCF: Responsive General Operating Support Grants provide flexible funding to nonprofits in the Greater New Haven region. Designed to support the overall mission of organizations, these grants allow nonprofits to allocate resources where they are most needed. To be eligible, organizations must serve a significant local population, have operational experience of at least two years, and maintain a profile on giveGreater.org. This initiative fosters impactful community engagement and sustainable growth.

The Building Equitable Opportunity Grant by the Connecticut Community Foundation aims to address systemic disparities affecting low-income communities in Waterbury. By combining various grant areas, the initiative focuses on creating equitable pathways to economic mobility through education, advocacy, and job development. The program targets BIPOC families and emphasizes culturally responsive education, community collaboration, and support for underserved populations, fostering long-term economic resilience and systemic change.

The David and Minnie Berk Foundation, established in 1961, provides grants to charitable organizations in the arts, education, and social services, focusing on youth, the elderly, and the needy. With a maximum grant of $10,000, they support innovative ideas and pilot programs. Eligible recipients must be 501(c)(3) organizations located in the greater New York metropolitan area, while ineligible organizations include those with budgets exceeding $3,000,000 and individual projects.

The Yale Teaching Fellowship (YTF) aims to cultivate high-quality teachers for New Haven Public Schools, addressing teacher shortages and enhancing retention. This program offers full tuition for graduate studies and a living stipend, encouraging a commitment of at least three years of teaching. Designed for diverse candidates, including NHPS staff, the fellowship supports certification in critical areas like Math, Science, and Special Education, fostering educational equity and community engagement.

The Yale Teaching Fellowship (YTF) offers a unique opportunity for current teachers in New Haven Public Schools to earn a Master’s degree in Special Education and gain cross-endorsement. This fellowship, designed to address teacher shortages, covers full tuition and requires a commitment to teach in the district for three years after graduation. With support from Yale University and Southern Connecticut State University, the program aims to foster educational excellence and diversity within the teaching workforce.

The Health and Environmental Justice Grant aims to address health disparities influenced by environmental factors in communities, particularly in Waterbury, Connecticut. This grant supports initiatives that enhance access to healthcare, affordable housing, and nutritious food, especially for BIPOC residents. The Foundation seeks to empower organizations that advocate for systemic change and improve health outcomes in underprivileged areas. By focusing on holistic community support, the grant endeavors to create equitable health opportunities for all.

Strengthening Nonprofits

Nonprofits need certain organizational resiliencies to be able to meet their missions, including strong leadership, financial management, technology, fund development and communications. By providing funding to help organizations invest in these vital building blocks, the Foundation aims to help build efficiencies, improve program delivery and increase and sustain impact.Strengthening Nonprofits is becoming a staff-led committee in order to foster more open, candid conversations while providing ongoing, responsive support. By deepening these relationships, we aim to be more flexible and supportive in meeting the evolving needs of partners, grantees, and organizations, strengthening the nonprofit ecosystem in Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills.

Our approach focuses on:

• Funding key organizational development initiatives that lead to stronger, more adaptable organizations.
• Empowering nonprofits to seek assistance that they deem to be the right fit for their organizational needs.
• Centering organizations who are addressing disparities within our communities.
• Prioritizing smaller organizations who meet the grant criteria.

Efforts we support include:

• Professional development opportunities to help staff or board build on the assets they have and add new skillsets. The committee prioritizes training requests that are continuous and have been fully scoped in terms of topic and trainer.
• Executive coaching or supervisory support with an expert in the field or professional consultant.
• Organizational development projects focused on strategic planning, financial management systems, evaluation, fundraising, programming, or communications.

The Saunders Health Fund for Naugatuck, managed by the Connecticut Community Foundation, provides grants to support mental and physical health initiatives for residents in Naugatuck. Emphasizing community well-being, the fund backs projects that improve access to quality healthcare, foster collaboration among local resources, and promote awareness of preventive health practices. Priority is given to organizations that empower individuals and address health disparities across the Foundation's 21-town service area.

The NewAlliance Foundation Grant offers support to not-for-profit organizations in four key areas: arts, community development, health and human services, and youth education. It prioritizes programs that engage diverse and underserved populations, promote economic self-sufficiency, and provide essential services to vulnerable communities. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)3 non-profits located within specific towns. The foundation does not fund start-ups or organizations outside its service area, ensuring targeted support for impactful initiatives.

The Branford Community Foundation (BCF) is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Branford, Connecticut, by funding organizations and projects in key focus areas such as basic needs, health, education, arts, environment, and youth services. Grants are awarded to 501(c)(3) nonprofits and governmental agencies that demonstrate a positive impact. BCF prioritizes initiatives addressing food insecurity, mental health, and community joy, while fostering collaboration and capacity building among local organizations.

The BCF Emergent Needs Grants provide funding for urgent projects and emergencies that fall outside the typical annual grant cycle. This initiative is designed for 501(c)3 organizations and governmental agencies in Branford that can demonstrate a significant need for funding. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting May 15th, allowing for timely support to innovative or unforeseen initiatives.

The General Grant Cycle by the Main Street Community Foundation supports community organizations in Bristol and surrounding areas. Since 1995, the Foundation has positively impacted local residents through competitive grants aimed at addressing basic needs, access to opportunities, and vibrant community projects. Eligibility requires tax-exempt status under 501(c)(3) and compliance with prior reporting. Preference is given to initiatives that respond to community needs, leverage funding, and promote collaboration among nonprofits.

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.

Nonprofit organizations in New Haven County, Connecticut working in children’s well-being, education, arts, healthcare, or environmental conservation can apply for grants from the Dennis and Barbara Marion Family Charitable Foundation. The foundation primarily supports NYC tri-state organizations and may also consider proposals from New Haven County that create lasting, positive community impact.

The Carolyn Foundation aims to enhance the lives of underrepresented youth in New Haven, CT, by supporting youth development organizations that demonstrate strong community engagement and leadership. With a focus on BIPOC-led initiatives, the foundation seeks to foster meaningful relationships and long-term impact through its grantmaking efforts. This commitment includes funding organizations with annual budgets of approximately $1 million or less, ensuring that diverse voices are included in the decision-making process. Together, they strive to create lasting change for future generations.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and public/governmental organizations supporting men and boys can receive funding for education, health, leadership, life-skills, and workforce readiness programs in New Haven County, Connecticut and nearby towns. Main Street Community Foundation’s Men & Boys' Fund supports future program costs, including proportional salaries, operations, and some capital needs that directly benefit eligible services.

New Haven County, Connecticut 501(c)(3) and other eligible tax-exempt organizations can receive funding to support programs and projects serving Jewish elderly residents. Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven prioritizes initiatives that enhance quality of life, create innovative services, encourage collaboration among Jewish organizations, and expand outreach to Jewish seniors in the area.

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.

Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations in New Haven County, Connecticut can apply for the Women of Vision Society Grant to support programs for Jewish women, girls, and their families. This Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven fund backs initiatives that enhance Jewish life, build community among women, and nurture Jewish values locally and in Israel.

Jewish schools, synagogues, and classroom educators in New Haven County, Connecticut can receive up to US $2,500 to attend Jewish education workshops and conferences or host community-wide professional development. With a mission to strengthen Jewish education, Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven provides funding for registration, standard accommodations, and travel for eligible programs.

The Basic Needs Fund Grant Program, offered by the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, provides grants of up to $10,000 to organizations addressing essential needs such as food security, housing stability, and hygiene. Established in April 2020, this fund aims to ensure that all residents in Greater New Haven have access to basic necessities. Priority is given to organizations serving underserved neighborhoods and those with an annual budget under $2 million.

The Katharine Matthies Foundation Grant aims to enhance educational, human services, and health care for underserved communities, particularly in the Lower Naugatuck Valley of Connecticut. Established in 1987, it prioritizes organizations preventing cruelty to children and animals. Grants typically last one year, with occasional multi-year support, focusing especially on the towns of Seymour, Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Shelton, and Beacon Falls.

The Linford & Mildred White Charitable Fund Grant, established in 1956, aims to support quality educational, human services, and health care programs for underserved populations in Waterbury, Connecticut. Eligible organizations must serve this community, and grants are awarded for one year only. Note that requests for capital projects are not considered, and no organization can receive funding for more than three consecutive years. This initiative seeks to enhance the well-being of local residents through impactful programming.

John Slade Ely Fund provides New Haven County, Connecticut 501(c)(3) arts organizations with support for fine arts initiatives. Grants around Approximately US $50,000 can fund art exhibitions, exhibition spaces, arts programming, and fine art educational activities that foster arts, culture, and humanities in the Greater New Haven community.