Best New Haven Grants for Nonprofits in Connecticut

The Talmud Torah Meyuchad Grant offers essential financial support for religious school programs catering to children with individualized learning needs. This grant seeks to enhance educational services by providing resources that improve the learning environment for students in grades K-12 with special needs. Funded by generous endowments from the Jewish Foundation, it fosters a collaborative effort involving schools, families, and the community to ensure that all children receive the education they deserve.

The Nonprofit Resource Training Grant offers up to $1,000 for tax-exempt organizations to send employees to essential training and conferences. This initiative supports community-based groups that serve low- to moderate-income populations and align with The Ready Commitment. By enhancing employee skills, the grant aims to strengthen nonprofits and their impact in the community, ensuring they provide valuable services effectively.

The Anna Fitch Ardenghi Trust Grant aims to enhance educational, cultural, and health services for underserved populations in New Haven, Connecticut. Established in 1981, the trust prioritizes support for arts and youth-related programs. Eligible organizations must be based in New Haven and can receive grants for one year, with a preference for those focusing on impactful community services. Notably, capital project requests are excluded, and funding is limited to three consecutive years.

The David N. Lane Trust for Aged & Indigent Women Grant supports quality human services and health care for underserved senior women in Fairfield and New Haven Counties, Connecticut. Established in 1964, the grant prioritizes programs that directly benefit this demographic. However, it does not consider requests for capital projects, ensuring funding is directed toward immediate service needs. Organizations must demonstrate a commitment to serving older women in these communities to be eligible.

The United Way of Greater Waterbury provides funding through its Community Needs Fund to address the pressing needs of local communities. Their initiatives focus on education, financial stability, and basic needs, aiming to enhance learning opportunities for youth, connect individuals with economic resources, and ensure access to essential services like healthcare and food. This funding is available to 501c3 organizations serving the ten towns in the Greater Waterbury area, enhancing community resilience and support.

The Guilford Foundation Competitive Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in Guilford by supporting 501(c)3 organizations and governmental agencies. Its focus areas include arts, education, and human services. The foundation seeks innovative projects that address community needs, foster collaboration, and build organizational capacity. Applications from previous grantees are welcomed, but continued funding is not guaranteed. Priority is given to basic needs and community strengthening initiatives for 2024, ensuring impactful support for vulnerable populations.

The American Savings Foundation provides capital grants to support projects aligned with its mission, prioritizing direct service programs for children, youth, and families in New Britain and Waterbury. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt and can request funding for one-time capital needs, typically up to $10,000. The Foundation emphasizes measurable impact and community benefit, making it a vital resource for local nonprofits aiming to enhance the quality of life in their communities.

The American Savings Foundation offers After School Grants aimed at supporting high-quality after-school programs for children and youth, particularly in New Britain and Waterbury. The Foundation prioritizes educational, human services, and arts programs that demonstrate measurable impact. Eligible organizations must be IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt and provide programs that engage at-risk youth. The Foundation encourages collaboration and requires regular attendance reporting to ensure program effectiveness.

The American Savings Foundation offers ASF Program Grants to support programs enhancing life quality for children, youth, and families, especially in New Britain and Waterbury. Emphasizing education, human services, and arts & culture, the foundation funds established and innovative programs that address community needs. Grants are awarded once per year per program, requiring organizations to be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt. Ineligible entities include individuals, religious institutions, and political advocacy groups.

The IMA Foundation Grant focuses on empowering communities by supporting nonprofit organizations dedicated to workforce development, financial security for families, and enhancing emergency preparedness. With a mission to provide philanthropic assistance, the foundation seeks partners that align with its vision and operational reach. Organizations must be 501c3 nonprofits and serve areas where IMA has offices, ensuring that their initiatives directly impact youth under 26 years of age.

Burns and McDonnell, a 100% employee-owned firm, partners with Project Lead The Way (PLTW) to enhance access to STEM education. By expanding PLTW Computer Science programs in local schools, they aim to engage students in real-world challenges and equip them with essential skills. Eligible schools must be located in specific counties and serve a majority of students from low-income backgrounds. This initiative supports the growth of STEM education, fostering a brighter future for communities through enhanced learning opportunities.

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 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 PLTW Computer Science program, supported by Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education in various communities by funding schools to implement PLTW courses. This partnership promotes student engagement with real-world challenges, preparing them for future careers in technology. With a total grant of $20,000, schools must offer multiple PLTW courses over two years, ensuring access to quality education for underserved populations.

The PLTW Engineering program, in partnership with Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education by providing grants to public and charter schools in specific counties. This initiative empowers students to engage with real-world challenges through hands-on learning experiences. Eligible schools must offer PLTW Engineering courses, ensuring access to quality education for students from diverse backgrounds. With a total grant of $40,000 over two years, this program seeks to inspire the next generation of engineers and innovators.

The Meriden Foundation, established in 1932, is dedicated to fostering an inclusive community and enhancing the quality of life for residents of Meriden, Connecticut, and its vicinity. The foundation offers grants to organizations committed to serving individuals and families, regardless of race, color, gender, or creed. It supports charitable, scientific, literary, and educational initiatives, welcoming grant applications from institutions that provide valuable public services to the greater Meriden area.

• All grant applications begin with completing our Eligibility Quiz (EQ). This one-minute assessment ensures your organization aligns with our funding priorities. You must pass the eligibility quiz to proceed to the Letter of Inquiry (LOI).
• Once the EQ is completed, if eligible, applicants will be redirected to submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI). Share the essentials about your organization, proposed project, and funding request. You’ll receive email confirmation once submitted. Letters of Inquiry are accepted year-round. 
• Foundation staff review all LOIs within 4-12 weeks. Where appropriate, we’ll invite you to submit a complete application for Board consideration.
• Grant approvals occur at Board meetings in February, May, September, and November.

About Us PFF is driven by the values that our founders David and Gerry Pincus lived by: “to get involved, not just think about your own life, you are supposed to do things for other people.” Today, the second and third generation of Pincus Family members have added their ethos, while keeping the founders’ legacy alive. Pincus Family Foundation Grant Mission Alignment: We support our non-profit partners to develop and enhance programs that improve the lives of children, their families, and their communities. PFF Funds Projects, Programs, & General Operating Support in Four Priority Areas

• Creative & Performing Arts
  • Goal: To connect young people from marginalized communities with the arts as a tool for agency and social change. 
• Education
  • Goal: Provide marginalized middle school students with the academic skills, critical thinking abilities, socio-emotional competencies, and self-advocacy tools needed to succeed in high school and beyond. PFF honors this under-resourced need by dedicating a portion of its Education funding to middle school students. We know that high school readiness is a key factor in reducing non-attendance and strengthening student engagement in preparation to attain post-secondary goals.
• Health & Wellness
  • Goal: Advance children’s health and well-being by supporting nonprofits that strengthen social conditions, empower youth, and build healthier environments in marginlized communities.
• Play & Recreation
  • Goal: Advance children’s social-emotional development and physical well-being by supporting nonprofits that create inclusive play-based programming, ompetitive sports opportunities, and outdoor recreational experiences in under-resorced communities.

The CCF: Grassroots Leadership Grants aim to empower Waterbury residents and local organizations by providing funding for community-driven projects. This initiative focuses on enhancing civic engagement, fostering youth leadership, and supporting collaborative efforts to revitalize neighborhoods. With grants ranging from $5,000 to $7,000, the program prioritizes smaller, resident-led groups and encourages innovative projects that strengthen community ties and promote active participation among residents.

The Southbury Community Trust Fund Grant aims to support programs benefiting Southbury residents through collaboration and partnerships. Priority is given to initiatives in social services, health education, youth development, and community enhancement. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and municipal entities. The fund does not support political or religious requests and encourages projects that serve the local community and promote advocacy efforts. This grant fosters community resilience and cultural heritage.

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 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.

Cox Charities Northeast offers community grants ranging from $5,000 to $12,000 annually to support nonprofit organizations focused on STEAM education. Since 2001, Cox has invested nearly $8 million in youth programming across Connecticut, Ohio, and Rhode Island. The grants prioritize innovative projects in science, technology, engineering, arts, math, and sustainability initiatives, encouraging applications from eligible 501(c)(3) organizations in the Cox East serviceable footprint.

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 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 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.

The Connecticut Community Foundation's Women's Fund Grant aims to empower girls and young women by fostering self-esteem, resilience, and advocacy through targeted programs. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Fund emphasizes collaboration among organizations to create inclusive environments, meaningful youth involvement, and positive role models. Funding projects may include planning grants for feasibility studies and core operational support for nonprofits. The initiative seeks to address low self-esteem among pre-teen and teenage girls in its 21-town service 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.