The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is kicking off its 100th year by increasing support by $100,000 in each of 29 ‘Greater Together Community Funds.’

By Ronni Newton

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving announced this week that in celebration of the organizations’s centennial year, it will be investing an additional $100,000 – $2.9 million total – in each of the 29 “Greater Together Community Funds” that the Foundation first created in 2019.

“The Greater Together Community Funds were created to engage and empower community residents; the people who are best equipped to respond to the needs of their towns,” Hartford Foundation President/CEO Jay Williams said in a statement. “When we set up a program rooted in inclusion, participatory decision making and community resident leadership, we knew the work would be both rewarding and challenging. We have been inspired by the incredible commitment and dedication of hundreds of volunteers over the past five years. As part of our 100th anniversary, we felt it was only fitting to allocate an additional $100,000 to each of the 29 Community Funds to continue their important work.”

The concept of creating the Greater Together Community Funds followed a listening tour the Hartford Foundation embarked upon seven years ago in the 29 towns it serves. Residents were asked to share what they love about their communities, as well as challenges and ideas about how the Foundation could provide assistance or support. “One common theme emerged: residents understand their local needs but are often constrained by a lack of resources,” the Foundation stated.

Of the original $100,000 investment, $50,000 was intended to be distributed as grants while $50,000 was intended to be maintained as an endowment. The Foundation invested an additional $50,000 in each Greater Together Community Fund in 2022.

Five West Hartford organizations received grants totaling $29,000 during the fourth round of awards last summer. The West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund, managed by an all-volunteer committee that reflects the demographics of the community, awarded grants to that would help to fund programs or projects that will “improve or enhance the quality of life in West Hartford or otherwise contribute to addressing a direct need” of the West Hartford community. The most recent grant cycle focused on organizations with annual operating budgets under $2 million with preference given to programs/projects specifically supporting parents, youth, seniors and historically underserved communities in West Hartford focusing on Building an Inclusive Community, Youth Mental Health Services, and Basic Human Needs. The awardees were Dignity Grows, Golden Door: A Center for Immigrants, Greystone Foundation, Volunteers in Psychotherapy, and West Hartford Parent Community of Concern.

“If you want to make a difference, if you want to learn more about your town and the good work that’s being done in the in town and play a part in supporting those organizations financially, I’d say being on a Community Fund committee is a great way to do that,” West Hartford committee member Mike Fournier said in a statement. “Giving $5,000, $10,000, $2,500 and then hearing the stories of the impact right within your community and about the good that the organization is able to do with that money. It’s a special feeling.”

According to the Foundation’s announcement, “The Community Funds initiative has garnered national attention from the philanthropic sector and has been recognized as one of the most expansive and ambitious examples of participatory grantmaking in history. As of December 2024, the 29 town committees have made 659 individual grants totaling $2.48 million. As a result of this success, Community Funds has become a permanent program at the Foundation.”

The Foundation has announced that during its 100th anniversary year, several other major investments will be made.

More information about the Greater Together Community Funds including how to donate to any of the town funds, can be found here.

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