Our Approach to Grantmaking

We provide flexible funding and capacity building resources so nonprofits can be nimble and effective in responding to community needs. Where financially feasible, we prioritize multi-year funding while balancing support for a wide range of nonprofits across our 29 towns.

We are a learning organization. Our grantmaking is outcome-driven and informed by the experiences and expertise of residents and nonprofit partners, and by data and research from both local and national sources.

We strive to be clear and approachable, sharing our priorities and processes with a range of organizations — including those which may not have the highest visibility or largest budgets but are deeply connected to the community. We’re committed to continuous efforts to simplify and streamline our grantmaking processes so funds are available when, where, and how they are needed most.

Our support goes beyond funding. We help organizations become strong and resilient, support their efforts to center diversity, equity, and inclusion in their values and practice, and improve the capacity to monitor and share their learning and impact.

We partner with nonprofits to carry out due diligence to ensure that funded work is properly resourced, sustainable, and has measurable impact. Our due diligence process reflects a commitment to trust-based philanthropy values and practice.

Core support grants are a good fit for organizations whose mission and a majority of their strategic goals align with the Foundation’s priorities and outcomes.

These grants provide flexible, unrestricted funding to support your organization’s mission and strategic framework rather than a specific project or activity. Because this funding can be used in whatever way best advances your mission, organizations receiving core support are typically not eligible for additional funding through Foundation RFPs. Core support grantees may be eligible for additional resources through:

• Nonprofit Support Program
• Community Funds
• Donor-Advised Funds
• Giving Circles

Project grants are a good fit for organizations with programs, projects, or activities that align with the Foundation’s priorities and outcomes. They are also helpful for nonprofits that share these priorities but need time to build capacity for reporting outcomes and strengthening organizational sustainability.

These grants fund a specific program, project, or activity. Project grants flexibly cover all associated costs associated including operations, staffing, direct services, and evaluation. They may also support modest support for short-term renovations or equipment purchase and installation. Unlike core support, project grants require a project-specific budget.

Capacity building grants and programs strengthen your nonprofit at the organizational level. We understand that your capacity building needs may emerge over time, and we strive to ensure access to these resources as needed and independent from the timing of other grantmaking. While we prioritize organizations that align with the Foundation’s strategic outcomes, many of our capacity building resources are available to all organizations. Learn more about our capacity building grantmaking, programs, and resources.

The Foundation has a limited grantmaking budget to support fundraising events, conferences, and celebrations. While we understand the importance of fundraising events, we focus our resources on core support, project grants, and capacity building. Typically, we do not provide additional dollars to core support grantees for event sponsorship as core grants are designed to provide general operating support, including fundraising and other community events and programs.

Our Community Impact team works closely with our Advancement team to share information about community needs and community partners working to address those needs. Where appropriate, requests for funding may be shared with donor advisors by Foundation staff. We do not share information about individual donors with organizations or provide contact information for our donors.

Does your organization have 501c3 status or a sponsoring organization with 501c3 status? Does your organization offer a variety of services that will empower residents and strengthen the Foundation’s 29 towns?

What are the goals of your project or work? In what ways does your organization work to dismantle structural racism — can you share how your mission and programs or project contribute to removing barriers to opportunity for Black, Latine, and other marginalized people? Consider how your organization’s goals advance equitable social and economic mobility for historically marginalized communities. How does your mission and/or project contribute to:

• Increased employment opportunities.
• Improved physical and emotional wellbeing of residents.
• Increased number of thriving Greater Hartford neighborhoods.
• Strengthened civic engagement, education, and movement-building.
• Increased equity and inclusion in the arts and culture sector.

In what ways do your staff and board reflect the community you serve? Can you share examples of policies or practices grounded in DEI principles? How are your programs accessible to people impacted by structural racism?

• A lack of diversity among staff or board does not disqualify your organization from receiving a grant or other resources. We recognize these efforts take time and welcome conversations about capacity building resources to begin or deepen this work.
• We also understand that current federal policies and the priorities of other funders may affect your ability to document DEI activities. We welcome a conversation about your organizational values and programs in ways that protect your funding opportunities.

How would you describe your level of engagement with the communities you serve? In what ways are your programs and their implementation informed and guided by community members?

Does your organization have a defined strategy to achieve its goals? Do you have a strategic plan? How do you measure the impact on the people and communities you serve?

Does your board meet regularly and do you keep minutes of board meetings? Does your board regularly review financial reports and approve the annual budget? Does your organization have a strategic plan?

Are financial management and safeguards in place? Have you filed an up-to date 990? Do you have an outline of the costs associated with your request? Do you have diversified sources of revenue?

Have you identified areas where your organization and leaders could benefit from capacity building?