Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Donors Raised $100K in Support of Three New Funds

 “Spark Funds” Targeted to Support Children and Families, Workforce Development, and Resident Engagement

In May 2017, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving launched “Spark Funds,” three new current-use funds developed to ignite and more closely engage the community in its strategic work of supporting education, family economic security and vibrant communities.

Thirty donors raised $100,000 – funds for immediate distribution and impact in the Greater Hartford community around three areas: increasing the success of families and their children, helping people obtain livable wages, and engaging residents in local neighborhoods to become advocates for creating lasting solutions to existing problems.

Three grants were awarded to support the following efforts:  

• Through the Spark Fund for Families and Children Initiative, Catholic Charities, the Village for Families & Children and Family Life Education jointly received a total of $55,000 to provide 270 needy families with high quality cribs or car seats. These organizations will work closely with the Hartford Department of Health and Human Services’ Maternal Infant Outreach Program to locate families in need of these necessities, as well as look for opportunities for family development education, early childhood literacy and community engagement.  
  
  
• Capital Workforce Partners received $30,000 from the Spark Fund for Workforce Development Initiative to provide supplemental support for the BEST Chance Partnership Program. These funds support an additional 20 programparticipants as well as continued support for a full-time retention specialist. This program prepares participants for careers in construction, the culinary arts or advanced manufacturing. 

• The Spark Fund for Resident Engagement Initiative awarded The Christian Activities Council (CAC) $15,000 to support stipends for five resident interns to augment its Community Engagement and Leadership Development Initiative in the North End of Hartford. These interns will conduct neighborhood surveys, attend trainings and help with new resident recruitment.

According to Liana Garcia Fresher, Senior Development Officer at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, “These funds are important because they allow the Foundation to make grants in a new, more agile manner addressing present-day issues while offering donors of all giving capacities the opportunity to make a difference in the Greater Hartford region.”

Donate now to become an active participant affecting meaningful change in your community.

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 $720 million since its founding in 1925. For more information about the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, visit or call 860-548-1888.