Hartford Foundation’s Record-Breaking Grantmaking Topped $32.5 Million in 2014

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, the community foundation for 29 communities in Greater Hartford, awarded more than $32.5 million in grants to the region’s nonprofit agencies and educational institutions this past year.

“As the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving celebrates its 90th anniversary, we are pleased to report that through the support of our generous donors, we were able to award a total of 1,997 grants amounting to $32,513,431 – both record numbers – this past year,” said Linda J. Kelly, president. “We are proud to stand together with our partners to support opportunities that enrich the lives of the people in the Greater Hartford region.”

According to the latest estimated, unaudited numbers, the Foundation ended 2014 with assets of $930 million, in 1,091 funds, another record. Since its founding in 1925, the Foundation has awarded approximately $621 million in grants.

Following the pattern of recent years, the Foundation’s key strategic priority of education received the largest share of the grants, 29 percent, including new and renewed college scholarships. The Foundation’s investment in education reflects the vision of its strategic plan to enhance educational equity and opportunity for all students in Greater Hartford.

Grants for family and social service received 22.5 percent; health - 15 percent; arts and culture - 14 percent; housing and economic development – 8.6 percent, general – 6.9 percent and summer programs – 3.4 percent.

These grants supported the expansion of existing programs, helped fund new programs or organizations, supported capital projects and helped agencies deal with unanticipated declines in revenue during difficult economic times.

Below are some examples of grants to support a wide variety of activities to support our residents and create more vibrant communities in Greater Hartford.

Education

  • $240,000 through the Hartford Area Child Care Collaborative to increase supports and resources to those providing child care in their homes.  This focus has led to the creation of the first statewide steering committee dedicated to improving the quality of home-based child care.  This project will provide consultation to home providers on how to make small facility improvements to the home to enhance the health, safety, and learning of the children in their care.
  • Over $300,000 in planning and capacity-building grants to seven of the region’s high-need school districts. Grants were provided to Bloomfield, East Hartford, Hartford, Manchester, Vernon, Windsor, and Windsor Locks school districts to promote increased educational equity and opportunity through the districts’ increased partnership with families and community resources. The grants mark the Hartford Foundation’s first efforts to help districts outside of Hartford to focus on developing effective family, school and community partnerships, increase capacity through training and technical assistance, coaching and leadership development.
  • More than $900,000 in total has already been awarded to two of these districts, Manchester and Windsor Locks, for implementation grants following the districts’ strategic planning. Manchester received a $713,520 grant to develop a new Office of Family and Community Engagement and further develop several Family Resource Centers. Windsor Locks was awarded a $234,422 grant to create multiple new personalized and experiential learning opportunities as components of new “career and college pathways” for Windsor Locks students.

Arts

  • $300,000 to the Hartford Stage Company, Inc. for expansion of MainStage productions to increase capacity to create quality performances.  Hartford Stage celebrated their 50th year in 2014.
  • $225,000 to Amistad Center for Art & Culture, Inc. for general operating support.  Funding will support the goals outlined in Amistad’s strategic plan including marketing and fundraising goals.

Community and Economic Development

  • $180,000 to Billings Forge Community Works for the farm-to-table youth and family program integrating culinary arts, urban agriculture and entrepreneurial skill-building.

Family/Child/Social Services

  • $110,000 to True Colors, Inc. to support a volunteer coordinator position. The project is designed to better serve the needs of True Colors’ clients by utilizing volunteers for administrative and basic programmatic operations, thereby freeing up staff time to devote more effectively to the individual needs of the LGBT youth served.
  • $345,000 to Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund to support the Hartford Equal Justice Collaborative addressing civil, legal, and related needs of Latinos and other low-income people in Greater Hartford. The Hartford Equal Justice Collaborative (HEJC) is a new partnership that includes Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund (CWEALF), Legal Assistance Resource Center of Connecticut (LARCC), and Statewide Legal Services (SLS)