The West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund will hold virtual information sessions on April 1 and April 5 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 fourth round of funds.
The West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund Advisory Committee plans to award grants between $3,000 and $6,000 each in this round.
The WHGTCF said funding can be awarded for the purpose of supporting innovative new initiatives and inventive ideas, as well as improvements to current projects or programs, and partnerships and collaborations are encouraged. “We welcome the community to engage and participate in creating and growing programs/activities that will make a difference in West Hartford residents’ lives,” stated the announcement of the grant process.
Applications are currently being accepted and proposals must be submitted by April 30, 2024 at 5 p.m. EDT.
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).
The third round, in 2023, provided funding in excess of $20,000 to five local organizations, including Dignity Grows, Inc.; For All Ages, Inc.; Golden Door: A Center for Immigrants; Seniors Job Bank, Inc.; and West Hartford Parent Community of Concern.
In order to determine funding priorities for the latest round of grants, the Town of West Hartford recently conducted a survey and the WGTCF Advisory Committee engaged in additional research. According to an announcement about the new round of grants: “For the 2024 cycle, applications for any organization or projects/program that benefits West Hartford residents will be accepted and evaluated. Preference will be given to programs/projects specifically supporting parents, youth, seniors and historically underserved populations/communities in West Hartford focusing on Building an Inclusive Community, Youth Mental Health Services, and Basic Human Needs. Priority will once again be given to organizations and groups with an operating budget not exceeding $2 million.”
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.
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].
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:
Applications must be submitted online through the 2024 Application form. unless there are accessibility issues and prior arrangements are made by calling 860-548-1888. Awards will be made at the sole discretion of the West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund Advisory Committee with the support of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. Notification of awards will be provided by mid-June.
The all-volunteer West Hartford Community Fund Advisory Committee was established in 2020. The Advisory Committee includes West Hartford residents Christopher Clark, Viviane De Oliveira Rinaldi, Tracy Wu Fastenberg (co-chair), Mike Fournier (co-chair), Caelin Halgren, Zhonghua Li, Obinna Nwafor (co-chair), Toral Sanghavi, Gunjan Sharma, Penny Smith, and Holly Williams. Recruiting for new Advisory Committee members will occur in Fall 2024.
Updates and further information can also be found on the WHGTCF Facebook page.
For more information about the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, visit www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.
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