Best Private Grants for Nonprofits in Connecticut

Community organizations, schools, and public agencies in Connecticut working on civic engagement can receive up to US $1,000 to deepen understanding and participation in civic life. Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut provides these mini-grants for 501(c)(3) nonprofits and partners serving 42 communities in Eastern Connecticut, including New London, Tolland, and Windham counties.

The Hearst Foundation: Culture Grant aims to support outstanding nonprofits that enhance cultural engagement and artistic talent in the U.S. With a focus on programs that reach young people, the grant prioritizes organizations that create lasting impacts in the arts and sciences. The Foundation allocates 25% of its funding to cultural initiatives, favoring established organizations with a history of significant results. Eligible nonprofits must encourage inclusivity and sustainability in their programs.

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.

Municipalities, nonprofits, community housing development organizations, for-profit developers, and individuals in Connecticut can obtain loans or grants for affordable housing rehabilitation, new construction, demolition, homeownership, rental housing, and related activities. Grants from Connecticut Department of Housing help expand nonprofit housing development capacity and support services like relocation, pre-development loans, operating expenses for CHDOs, and homebuyer education.

The Semnani Family Foundation, established in 1993, is dedicated to supporting marginalized communities worldwide through health, education, and disaster relief initiatives. Founded by Khosrow and Ghazaleh Semnani, it began by funding an orphanage in Romania. The foundation also operates locally, providing free healthcare through the Maliheh Free Clinic in Utah. Its commitment to human welfare drives impactful partnerships in countries such as Afghanistan, India, and South Africa, focusing on the most vulnerable populations.

The Bank of America Foundation Sponsorship Program aims to enhance economic mobility and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. This initiative focuses on critical areas such as workforce education, basic needs like food and housing, and community development. The Foundation invested $350 million last year and encourages employee volunteerism and giving, supporting nonprofits in various sectors, including arts, culture, and diversity initiatives.

Connecticut nonprofits, farmers, researchers, and other agriculture-focused groups can seek funding to strengthen farming and food systems through social science research and education projects. Grants from Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education support community-based initiatives in areas like marketing, crop and livestock production, aquaculture, climate and bioenergy, and economic, social, and ecological sustainability, with awards from US $50,000 - US $250,000.

Connecticut 501(c)(3) public charities, public schools, and libraries can access funding through the Lawrence Foundation for environmental, human services, disaster relief, and related programs. U.S.-headquartered organizations may receive US $5,000 - US $10,000 in unrestricted support for general operating or project expenses within the foundation’s stated areas of interest.

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is charged with conserving, improving and protecting the natural resources and the environment of the state of Connecticut as well as making cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy available for the people and businesses of the state. The agency is also committed to playing a positive role in rebuilding Connecticut’s economy and creating jobs – and to fostering a sustainable and prosperous economic future for the state.

DEEP has established five strategic goals that guide the work across our programs. The Department is organized into the Office of the Commissioner and three Branches: Energy Branch, Environmental Quality Branch, and Environmental Conservation Branch.

Energy Resilience Construction Grant Program

Energy Resilience Construction Grants are available for entities to support local distributed energy generation and resilient infrastructure deployment at critical state facilities, prioritizing proposals from Vulnerable Communities. This funding comes from the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants Program, BIL (P.L. 117-169) Section 40101(d) and the energy construction component of the DCRF authorized pursuant to Section 16-243y of the Connecticut General Statutes.

Early-stage, community-focused nonprofits in Connecticut can receive one-year capacity-building support to test ideas and strengthen operations through the Emerging Grant Program. New Alliance Foundation provides Connecticut nonprofit growth and development efforts with smaller grants via fiscal sponsors, prioritizing work in literacy, education, community development, health and human services, arts, and racial and economic equity within its service area.

Connecticut nonprofit arts organizations seeking flexible support for programming, operations, or equipment can apply for this endowment-based funding, including general operating expenses. Focused on arts and culture, the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development invites Connecticut groups that have raised over $15,000 in private donations for two consecutive years to seek awards up to US $1,000,000.

Nonprofits, municipalities, state departments, and tribal governments in Connecticut can receive funding for planning, building, maintaining, and improving recreational trails, including accessibility and safety education. With a mission to support trail projects, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection provides grants up to US $1,000,000, covering up to 80% of project costs with a 20% match.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits addressing basic needs, community vitality, or volunteer-driven causes can apply for Ameriprise Financial’s Community Grants to support programs in areas like hunger relief, shelter, workforce readiness, financial literacy, and cultural enrichment. Connecticut organizations may be eligible, with priority for sites engaging Ameriprise employee or advisor volunteers and demonstrating strong outcomes and financial stability.

Nonprofit organizations running summer camp or out-of-school programs for underserved children in Connecticut can seek support for traditional camp experiences through the Lily Palmer Fry Memorial Grant. Fry Memorial Trust, administered by Bank of America, prioritizes programs that take urban youth from Fairfield, Hartford, New York, and Westchester counties into natural environments.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) conservation and community organizations, municipalities, Tribal Nations, and agencies in Connecticut and other Appalachian states can apply for The Nature Conservancy’s Resilient and Connected Appalachians funding; awards up to US $100,000 for fee or easement land acquisition. Grants can also cover project development, stewardship, community engagement, and related operational costs.

Connecticut nonprofits running local environmental projects can receive up to US $2,000 to support initiatives with clear environmental benefits, from clean-ups to education. The Connecticut Society for Women Environmental Professionals funds projects across Connecticut that improve the environment and encourage leadership and development among women in environmental professions.

Connecticut 501(c)(3) nonprofits offering youth STEAM education programs can access funding through Cox Communications via the Cox Charities Community Grant Program. Grants from US $5,000 - US $12,000 support innovative Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math initiatives, as well as conservation, sustainability, and inclusion projects within Cox’s Connecticut service areas.

The Hansen Family Foundation Grant seeks to empower organizations that uphold the American values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Focused on diverse causes like children, education, animals, environmental conservation, humanitarian efforts, and arts, the foundation is committed to supporting initiatives that create positive change. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, while political campaigns and organizations with high budgets or overheads are ineligible. This grant fosters impactful contributions to society.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and aligned for-profits in fields like wildlife conservation, historic preservation, education, and wellness in Connecticut can seek storytelling project support to showcase their community impact. Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation’s Storytelling Grant helps eligible organizations share powerful narratives about their work across its preservation, education, and wellness pillars, with awards of More than US $50,000.

Connecticut nonprofits, public transit operators, and government authorities can obtain funding to improve transportation for seniors and individuals with disabilities, including capital and nontraditional mobility projects. Connecticut disability and senior service providers can access funding through Connecticut Department of Transportation for accessible vehicles, mobility management, travel vouchers, and volunteer driver or demand-response operating support statewide.

Rural public entities, nonprofit corporations, higher education institutions, tribes, and eligible cooperatives in Connecticut can access funding to support small and emerging rural businesses, with awards ranging from US $10,000 - US $500,000. Grants from USDA: Rural Development support technical assistance, infrastructure, revolving loan funds, incubators, and broader community and technology-based economic development projects.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Danbury, Connecticut running community music programs can receive up to US $40,000 to support resident participation in music performance. Donald N. Tweedy Trust provides Connecticut nonprofits with funding specifically for organizations where Danbury residents actively study, perform, and engage in music-focused activities.

Nonprofit organizations working on poverty alleviation, disability services, disaster relief, or related human services may be eligible for Gupta Family Foundation support, including those in Connecticut. With a mission to help disadvantaged people become self-reliant, it provides US $5,000 - US $250,000 to smaller, non-sectarian organizations operating in select countries worldwide.

Nonprofit organizations presenting public musical performances in New Britain, Connecticut can apply for one-year support from the National Wild Turkey Federation’s Charles Parker Trust for Public Music Fund. Funding helps provide quality music to the public at low or no admission cost, benefiting Connecticut audiences and expanding arts access.

Rural public bodies, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized tribes in Connecticut facing drinking water emergencies can apply for USDA Rural Development’s Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants, offering up to US $1,000,000 for water source, treatment, or transmission projects. This funding can help Connecticut nonprofits restore or protect safe, reliable community water systems.

State and local governments, private nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes in rural Connecticut can receive funding for water and waste infrastructure projects, including drinking water, sewer, solid waste, and stormwater systems. USDA Rural Development also supports related costs such as legal and engineering fees, land and water rights, permits, start-up operations, and necessary equipment.

Nonprofit organizations in Connecticut offering educational, human services, or health care programs for underserved residents may be eligible for this one-year grant. With a mission to relieve human distress and suffering, the Thomas J. Atkins Memorial Trust Fund prioritizes organizations serving Middletown and the wider Middlesex County community.