The Community Chest of New Britain and Berlin Inc

The organization’s stated mission is to distribute charitable donations to New Britain- and Berlin-based nonprofit entities providing services and programs to the communities they serve. It supports health and human services through program grants, general operating support, and seed grants for new programs. Capital equipment is generally not funded, though requests may be considered case by case.

Current priorities are mental health, food, housing and shelter, and general health. Programs serving children in these priority areas receive additional consideration. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and qualified entities eligible to receive community-foundation grants. Grassroots groups may be considered if they have a governing body and an appropriately tax-exempt fiscal agent.

Grantees illustrate the range of supported work. New Britain ROOTS describes its mission as promoting food security and agricultural education and making healthy food accessible and affordable to low-income families. Prudence Crandall Center says it helps people achieve lives free of domestic violence through care, advocacy, support, and education. The Children’s Law Center describes its work as providing legal services to indigent children in contested custody, visitation, and related cases.

The Chest does not fund sectarian or religious activities, political or lobbying activities, capital campaigns, deficits, direct support to individuals, annual or endowment campaigns, camperships or scholarships, or public and independent schools. Its guidelines generally exclude performances and one-time events as well.