The West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund will hold virtual information sessions on March 21 and March 28 to provide details about the upcoming grant process.

By Ronni Newton

The West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund – one of 29 town-specific funds seeded by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving in 2019 to provide grants to nonprofits to improve the quality of life in the towns or directly address a need in the community – is beginning the process of awarding a third round of funds.

The West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund Advisory Committee plans to award up to five grants of $5,000 each, a total of $25,000, by June 2023.

Applications are currently being accepted and must be submitted by May 1, 2023.

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving originally seeded each of the funds with $100,000, and in the first round, a total of $25,000 was granted to seven West Hartford nonprofits. Grant amounts provided to each organization in 2021 ranged from $1,850 to $5,500, with the amount of the award determined after review of the scope and focus of the project proposals.

In its second round of grant funding, which took place in 2022, the West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund Advisory Committee awarded 10 grants. The following organizations were recipients: Autism Families CONNECTicut; Children’s Reading Partners ; Connecticut Alliance for Victims of Violence and Their Families, Inc. (CT-ALIVE); Dignity Grows, Inc.; Golden Door: A Center for Immigrants; Jewish Teen Learning Connection (JT Connect); Seniors Job Bank, Inc.; Voices of Hope; Volunteers in Psychotherapy; West Hartford Parent Community Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Groups (WH EDI).

According to an announcement about the new round of grants: “The funding from the West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund may be used for, but not limited to, efforts to improve access to current projects or programs, innovative new initiatives or enhancements of current projects or programs. Partnerships, collaborative efforts, and inventive ideas to effect change are encouraged. Priority will be given to organizations with an operating budget not exceeding $2 million and for projects or programs specifically supporting youth, seniors, traditionally marginalized/underserved communities, and arts and culture. Funding is reserved for projects or programs that serve and benefit residents of West Hartford.”

Eligible applicants include any nonprofit registered as a 501(c)(3) organization that serves or benefits the residents of West Hartford. Organizations do not need to be headquartered or based in West Hartford. Groups of residents may also partner with a registered nonprofit that will save as a fiscal agent for a proposed project, the announcement states.

Any questions about the application process should be submitted by April 18 via email to [email protected].

The West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund will also hold two virtual information sessions, and those interested in attending can register by clicking on the date below:

• Tuesday, March 21, from 7-8 p.m.
• Tuesday, March 28, from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Applications must be submitted through the 2023 Application form. Awards will be made at the sole discretion of the West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund Advisory Committee.

Updates and further information can also be found on the WHGTCF Facebook page.

The all-volunteer West Hartford Community Fund Advisory Committee includes West Hartford residents Esam Boraey, Michael Corrente, Ana Davis, John Decina, Tracy Wu Fastenburg (co-chair), Mike Fournier (co-chair), Bre Lamoureaux (co-chair), Wanda Williams McCormack, Justine Mitsock, Obi Nwafor, Evan Piccioli and Penny Smith. Recruiting for new Advisory Committee members will occur in Fall 2023.

The West Hartford Community Fund welcomes donations, which are tax deductible and will be used to support West Hartford residents. For additional information, email [email protected].

For more information about the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, visit www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.

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