The West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund has issued an ‘Open Call for Letters of Intent’ in its first round of funding for projects directly benefiting the West Hartford community.

Submitted

The West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund Advisory Committee has released its first Open Call for Letters of Intent to funding programs or projects that will “improve or enhance the quality of life in West Hartford or otherwise contribute to address a direct need” of the West Hartford community.

The Advisory Committee plans to award grants totaling up to $25,000 by June 2021. The amount of each grant will be based on the scope and focus of the project proposals. The minimum grant amount for any proposal will be $250 and the maximum grant will not exceed $7,500. Grantees may be awarded less than the amount they request.

Any nonprofit registered as a 501(c)(3) organization that serves the residents of West Hartford is eligible to submit a letter of intent. Nonprofits do not need to be headquartered or based in West Hartford, but must serve and benefit West Hartford residents.

Letters of Intent must be received by Feb. 26, 2021.

In 2019, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving established community funds for each of the 29 towns in the Foundation’s region, which includes the town of West Hartford. Each town received a total amount of $100,000. Half of the fund amount is available to fund current projects or programs; the other half is endowed, meaning a percentage of those dollars will be available every year to grant, following the Hartford Foundation’s spending policy.

The purpose of the community fund is to support the community in taking ownership around the needs in their towns, encourage broad and inclusive civic engagement and anchor the Hartford Foundation in each town.

The initial round of funding by the West Hartford Community Fund Advisory Committee may be used for, but not limited to, efforts to improve access to current programs (especially for underserved populations), innovative new initiatives or enhancements of current programs. Funding may be used for solving basic human needs (food or shelter), health, human services, disability or mental health services, senior services, education, arts and recreation/land conservation. 

Funding is reserved for projects/programs that serve and benefit residents of West Hartford.

Respondents to the Open Call are asked to provide in their Letter of Intent a brief description of the project or program for which they are seeking funds, as well as a description of the expected benefit and whether it is a new project or program or a continuation of an existing project or program. Partnerships, collaborative efforts, and inventive ideas to create change are encouraged. Groups of town residents may prepare an application in partnership with a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has agreed to serve as the Fiscal Agent for the proposed project. The Town of West Hartford may also serve as a Fiscal Agent.

Letters of Intent will be reviewed by the West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund Advisory Committee in accordance with this schedule:

• Feb. 26, 2021: Letters of Intent due
• March 15, 2021: Letters of Intent applicants notification as to whether or not they are invited to submit full proposal
• April 30, 2021: Invitees must submit full proposals
• June 1, 2021: Proposals will be selected and awarded grants

All grants are awarded at the sole discretion of the West Hartford Greater Together Advisory Committee, all volunteers, established in 2020. For specific details on project guidelines and how to apply, and information about the work of the Committee, visit the West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund website.

More details can also be found in the PDF below.

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving’s community fund program also creates an opportunity for organizations and individuals to make tax-deductible contributions to the West Hartford Community Fund. All donations are welcome and will 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. Made possible by the gifts of generous individuals, families and organizations, the Foundation has awarded grants of more than $795 million 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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