Community Grants

Grant Application Process

1. Pre-Application Consultation (Required)
- Contact the Foundation's grants department before submitting a full proposal
- Executive Director or chief staff person should reach out to: grants@jcfhartford.org

2. Submission
- Write a brief description of your grant request
- Submit to: grants@jcfhartford.org

3. Review Process
- Proposals accepted on a rolling basis
- Reviewed by Foundation staff and Grants Committee (comprised of volunteer community members)
- Approved by the Foundation's Board of Trustees
- Grants Committee meets 4 times per year
- Decisions typically shared within 3-6 months of submission

Application Considerations

• One application per cycle: Only one grant application from an organization will be considered each grant cycle
• Strategic focus: Emphasize the strategic impact and alignment with long-term program/project goals
• Address the "why": Grant reviewers require comprehensive understanding of the reasoning behind the proposal, not just the activities
• Clarity for unfamiliar reviewers: Write as if committee members are unfamiliar with your program; anticipate and address potential questions
• No pre-committed projects: Do not apply for projects to which your organization has already committed
• Short and long-term goals: Include information about both

Additional Support

For information about endowment and custodial funds for nonprofits and synagogues, contact: Michael Elfenbaum, VP of Community Engagement, melfenbaum@jcfhartford.org