College Success Programs Grants

Geographic Scope: Hartford area and Greater Hartford, Connecticut

Focus Areas:

• Women's college success and completion
• Support for low-income women, women of color, and first-generation students
• College retention and graduation
• Economic mobility through higher education

Program Goals:

• Empower women to complete college education
• Break the cycle of poverty in Hartford
• Help women enter careers that pay family-sustaining wages

Best Practices Funded:

• One-on-one counseling and advising
• Mentoring and introduction to role models
• Building self-advocacy skills
• Addressing basic needs (childcare, transportation, housing, food)
• Wrap-around support services
• Technology and textbooks
• Telehealth services
• Workshops on goal-setting, budgeting, resume writing, interviewing

2025 Grantees:

• Charter Oak State College - Women in Transition: $22,500
• Hartford Public Library - Barriers Can't Stop Us: Building Immigrant Women's Success: $20,000
• University of Hartford - The Women's Advancement Initiative (LEAD program): $15,000
• YWCA Hartford Region - YW Career Women: $22,500

2024 Grantees:

• Charter Oak State College - Women in Transition: $22,500
• Hartford Public Library - Barriers Can't Stop Us: Building Immigrant Women's Success: $20,000
• University of Hartford - The Women's Advancement Initiative (LEAD program): $15,000
• YWCA Hartford Region - YW Career Women: $22,500
• CT State Community College - Manchester - Dreaming with Kids Program: $20,000

2023 Grantees:

• Charter Oak State College - Women in Transition: $23,000
• Hartford Public Library - Barriers Can't Stop Us: Building Immigrant Women's Success: $19,000
• UConn Foundation and Latinas & Power - Latinas in Leadership Institute at UConn Hartford: $20,000
• University of Hartford - The Women's Advancement Initiative (LEAD program): $15,000
• YWCA Hartford Region - YW Career Women: $22,500

Eligible Applicants:

• Nonprofit organizations serving women and girls in Greater Hartford area
• Educational institutions with college success programs

What They Don't Fund:

• Programs not focused on women's college success
• Programs outside Greater Hartford area

Background:
Aurora's grantmaking focuses on college success programs as a key strategy to improve women's economic security. Research data shows that a bachelor's degree can double the earning potential of women in Greater Hartford. During the pandemic, data revealed that for the first time in Connecticut's history, women outpaced men in unemployment claims, with 75% of females applying for unemployment lacking a college degree.

Contact:

• Phone: (860) 969-3435
• Website: aurorafoundation.org
• Address: PO Box 370537, West Hartford, CT 06137