The West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund has awarded a total of $50,000 to eight organizations in the most recent grant cycle.

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Greater Together Community Fund. Courtesy image (we-ha.com file photo)

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The West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is pleased to announce its fifth annual cycle of grants to eight local 501 (c)(3) nonprofits.

“We are delighted to continue support for the invaluable work of organizations serving the vital needs of our town,” said Mike Fournier, co-chair of the West Hartford Community Fund committee. “The committee greatly appreciates the effort by the 26 applicants in what was a very competitive granting process. The eight awards stood out for their close adherence to this year’s criteria of funding projects that will build inclusivity in the community, enhance youth mental health services and address basic human needs of parents, youth, seniors, and historically underserved groups in West Hartford.”

2025 Grants

The eight grants awarded by the West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund are:

• Arts for Learning Connecticut will implement “Express Yourself @ Charter Oak,” an arts learning program for all 518 students at the Charter Oak International Academy including visual and performance arts workshops led by professionals in collaboration with teachers as well as two school-wide performances.
• CT Volunteers in Psychotherapy will provide 150 therapy sessions to West Hartford residents who will, in turn, volunteer 600 hours of time to local organizations. CTVIP offer services to clients who might not seek out therapy due to insurance company requirements or lack of insurance.
• Dignity Grows, Inc. will assist West Hartford residents through its Hope in a Bag program with 692 discreet, reusable totes containing a month’s supply of period and hygiene products. The free totes are distributed monthly through partnerships with community support and social service organizations.
• Fern Street Food Ministry will work with a small local farm, Country Garden Oasis to purchase fresh produce for Pantry members. The produce will supplement food pantry distributions in West Hartford. Also, the Ministry will add food-safe equipment for their Backpack program which processes 25 tons of food annually.
• Greystone Foundation will give free monetary assistance and financial advice to West Hartford clients struggling to afford housing, utilities, transportation, healthcare, or other essential services. This help is intended to resolve immediate financial issues and avoid long term adverse consequences.
• Seniors Job Bank, Inc. will launch “Next Chapter Success: Essentials Skills for Mature Works,” an educational experience designed to empower mature West Hartford residents wishing to re-enter the workforce or transition to volunteer roles with an in- person workshop.
• West Hartford Community of Concern will present the third annual West Hartford Community of Concern Teen Wellness Fair, a youth-led event promoting mental health and well-being for middle and high students and their caregivers. The program will feature information and preventive services in addition to a student art exhibit and introducing a Photovoice workshop.
• WHY Outreach, Inc. will offer “West Hartford Yoga in the Parks,” a free, outdoor yoga program in partnership with West Hartford Leisure Services. The initiative is designed to make yoga accessible to all West Hartford residents with weekly classes at Beachland, Wolcott, and Eisenhower Parks.

Yoga in the Parks. July 2021. Photo Credit: Lily Guberman (we-ha.com file photo)

Fall 2025 Event

The West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund is planning an event sometime this Fall to celebrate organizations that received funding since our founding in 2020. At that time, we will begin recruitment of Advisory Committee Members for the next funding cycle. Individuals interested in applying for Committee membership can follow the WHGTCF on Facebook or our website or more information.

About Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Community Funds

In 2019, the Hartford Foundation established the Greater Together Community Funds in each of the 29 towns it serves, including West Hartford, with an initial investment of $100,000. In 2021, the Foundation awarded an additional $50,000 to each of the community funds. In January, as part of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving’s Centennial year in 2025 and the Fifth anniversary of the Greater Together Community Fund program, the Foundation recently unveiled a new $100,00 investment in each of the 29 town-specific Community Funds. This includes $50,000 immediately available for grantmaking and $50,00 allocated to endowment. The West Hartford Community Fund is directed by a committee consisting of residents from various backgrounds and neighborhoods of the town. The Foundation encourages volunteers to lead its 29 GTCF committees as an initiative for residents to take ownership over the needs of their towns through grantmaking.

The West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund aims to support local nonprofits that are serving West Hartford residents to address critical needs, such as housing security, food security, childcare, healthcare, wellness, job readiness, and literacy. The committee offers support for these nonprofit organizations which seek to improve the lives of local residents. In the past five years, the West Hartford Community Fund has awarded 35 grants totaling $175,580 to address a wide range of community needs.

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding communities. Made possible by the gifts of generous individuals, families and organizations, the Foundation has awarded grants of more than $1 billion since its founding in 1925. For more information about the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, visit www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.

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