Connecticut Mentoring Fund

Funder: Governor's Prevention Partnership, with support from Connecticut Legislature

Geographic Scope: Connecticut statewide

Focus Areas:

• School-based mentoring programs
• Mentor recruitment in urban communities
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training for staff and mentors
• Social-emotional learning practices within mentor training
• Youth development and prevention of substance misuse

Program Description:
The Connecticut Mentoring Fund provides competitive grants to mentoring programs across Connecticut. The program is administered by the Governor's Prevention Partnership and was established through a 2023 legislative appropriation led by the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health.

Award Details:

• Grants range from $6,000 to $25,000 maximum
• In the most recent cycle, 25 programs applied and 17 received awards
• 17 awardees across the state received funding

Eligibility:
Organizations and programs offering mentoring services to youth in Connecticut, with priority given to:

• Programs serving BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) youth
• Programs in underserved and urban communities
• Programs incorporating DEI and social-emotional learning practices

Contact Information:

• Governor's Prevention Partnership
• Address: 361 Main St. Suite 201, East Hartford, CT 06118
• Phone: (860) 523-8042
• Website: gppct.org

Background:
One in three Connecticut youth could benefit from a relationship with a caring adult mentor, but most don't have access to one. The fund aims to strengthen mentoring infrastructure across the state and prioritize initiatives addressing mentor recruitment in urban communities.

Application Process

Submission Method:

• Competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process
• Organizations submit proposals during the open RFP period

Typical Timeline:

• RFP issued in spring (based on recent cycle)
• Awards announced mid-year

Evaluation Criteria:
Programs are prioritized for:

1. Initiatives aimed at bolstering mentor recruitment in urban communities
2. Training of staff and mentors in diversity, equity, and inclusion
3. Incorporation of social-emotional learning practices within mentor training efforts
4. Service to BIPOC youth and underserved populations

Required Materials:

• RFP application (specific requirements in RFP document)
• Organization profile information

Note: Specific application materials and detailed requirements are available through the RFP document on the Governor's Prevention Partnership website.