All are welcome to come join the volunteer-led Community Fund on Sept. 19 to celebrate the recipients of nearly $100,000 in grants since 2021! The Community Fund is also launching recruitment of new members to the Advisory Committee for 2024.

Submitted

On Tuesday, Sept. 19, the West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund (WHGTCF) at Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is hosting a community event at GastroPark in West Hartford from 5 to 7 p.m. The gathering celebrates the recipients of grants totaling $96,000 awarded since 2021 to organizations and groups serving the West Hartford community. The event will also share information for individuals interested in joining the all-volunteer Advisory Committee and organizations interested in applying for future funding.

In 2019, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving established $100,000 Community Funds for each of the 29 towns in the Foundation’s region, which includes the town of West Hartford. In addition, in 2019, an anonymous donor contributed $100,000 to the West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund. In January 2022, the Hartford Foundation gave an additional $50,000 to each Community Fund with half of the funding being maintained in the Funds’ endowments and the remaining half to support current grant-making efforts.

The purpose of the Community Funds is to support residents in taking ownership around the needs in their towns and encourage broad and inclusive civic engagement.

The WHGTCF awarded its first round of grants in 2021 with two subsequent grant cycles in Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 to nearly 20 organizations and groups such as Golden Door: A Center for Immigrants; Dignity Grows, Inc.; and Seniors Job Bank, Inc.

The West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund is run by an Advisory Committee of town residents that is inclusive, representative, and reflective of all of the residents of West Hartford with guidance from Hartford Foundation staff. The all-volunteer advisory committee is responsible for deciding on operating procedures; setting parameters for grantmaking cycles; receiving and evaluating applications for funding.

The event also kicks off WHGTCF Advisory Committee’s recruitment for new volunteer members this Fall, including additional young adult members, ages 14-20. Committee membership includes West Hartford residents age 14 and older, other than those who currently hold elected office or who are running for elective office. Interested individuals are invited to apply via the 2023 Application form.

The Sept. 19 event at GastroPark welcomes past award recipients, prospective committee members, and individuals involved with organizations that may look to apply for funding in Spring 2024. RSVPs are appreciated.

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving welcomes organizations and individuals to make tax- deductible contributions to the West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund to be utilized in support of West Hartford residents. For additional information, email [email protected].

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding communities. Through partnerships, the Foundation seeks to strengthen communities in Greater Hartford by putting philanthropy in action to dismantle structural racism and achieve equity in social and economic mobility. Made possible by the gifts of generous individuals, families and organizations, the Foundation has awarded grants of more than $948 million since its founding in 1925. For more information, visit www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.