Community Match Fund

Sustainable CT's innovative Community Match Fund is a crowdfunding grant-matching program that provides fast, flexible funding and support to implement sustainability projects in Connecticut.

Key Features

• Match Structure: Dollar-for-dollar matching up to $6,000
• Application Process: No traditional grant application, no deadlines, no lengthy review period
• Reporting: Minimal reporting requirements (post-implementation survey and photos)
• Geographic Scope: Sustainable CT registered towns in Connecticut

Eligibility Requirements

• Projects must provide free and public benefit
• Projects must align with Sustainable CT's action roadmap
• Projects must take place in a Sustainable CT registered town
• Project leaders can be: individual residents, nonprofits, community groups, municipalities, schools, libraries, or other organizations

Funding Focus Areas

The Environmental Fund: Supports projects related to environmental sustainability and/or climate change, including:

• Invasive species removal
• Pollinator pathways
• Tree plantings
• Waste reduction and food waste diversion
• Composting initiatives
• Food access and community gardens
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• Increasing climate resiliency

The Vibrant Communities Fund: Supports projects that create accessible, vibrant, inclusive, and thriving communities, including:

• Accessible transportation
• Thriving local economies
• Community sustainability events
• Arts and culture celebrations
• Public space improvement projects

The Social Change Amplifier Fund: Supports projects led by Black, Latinx, Multiracial, Indigenous and other People of Color community organizers and organizations. All projects eligible in other CMF categories can apply to this fund.

Supporters

The Community Match Fund is generously supported by:

• Hampshire Foundation
• Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation
• Connecticut Green Bank
• Supporting Organizing Work CT

Community Match Fund Application Process

1. Initial Outreach: Project leaders email Sustainable CT at [email protected] with their project idea that provides a free public benefit, takes place in a Sustainable CT registered community, and aligns with the action roadmap
2. Initial Meeting: Sustainable CT staff and project leaders discuss:
   • The project concept
   • The Community Match Fund process
   • Sustainable CT's eligibility criteria
   • Project readiness requirements
3. Project Approval: If the project is eligible and project readiness requirements are met and approved, the project leader is connected with a Patronicity crowdfunding coach
4. Crowdfunding Campaign: Project leader builds their campaign page with crowdfunding coach support, then launches a 30-to-60-day crowdfunding campaign on the Patronicity platform
5. Campaign Approval: Project leader's campaign page receives final approval from the Sustainable CT Team before launch
6. Matching Grant & Implementation: Once the crowdfunding campaign reaches its goal, Sustainable CT matches funds raised, $1-for-$1, up to $6,000. Patronicity disperses both the crowdfunded dollars and Sustainable CT matching grant so project implementation can begin
7. Post-Implementation Reporting: Project leaders complete a survey after project implementation and post photos of the completed project to their campaign page

Required Materials & Eligibility

• Review Community Match Fund Eligibility Requirements and Project Readiness Criteria
• Projects must be in a Sustainable CT registered town
• Projects must provide free public benefit
• Projects must align with Sustainable CT's action roadmap

Questions on Eligibility

Email [email protected] for questions on project eligibility or to get the process started