HFPG: Basic Human Needs Emergency Assistance Grants

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has launched the Basic Human Needs Emergency Assistance Grants to support nonprofits in Greater Hartford. These grants, ranging from $1,000 to $20,000, aim to enhance access to essential services, including food, personal care items, and emergency financial aid. The Foundation emphasizes equity and aims to address food security and homelessness, while fostering resilience and community well-being. Nonprofits must meet eligibility criteria, including being a 501(c)(3) organization.

Greater Hartford Gives Foundation is pleased to announce a competitive grant opportunity to support nonprofits as they increase access to emergency services and immediate assistance for the most basic of human needs for vulnerable residents in Greater Hartford. Items and services can include food, personal care items, emergency financial aid (e.g., rental assistance, utility assistance), one-time easily distributable, non-prescription durable medical equipment or medical aid assistance, immediate or informal case management services, or other critical basic needs you see in the community you serve.
Background
The Hartford Foundation seeks to create lasting solutions that result in vibrant, resilient, and inclusive communities for all residents in Greater Hartford. To achieve this, the Foundation seeks to advance equitable economic and social mobility and dismantle structural racism. For more information about the Foundation’s current strategic priorities, please visit our website.
Hartford Foundation is continuing the historic tradition of supporting emergency aid and basic needs throughout its service area in alignment with the Foundation’s Basic Human Needs desired outcomes to increase food security, decrease homelessness, and improve the physical and emotional wellbeing of residents.
Funding
The Foundation welcomes requests of $1,000 - $20,000 for individual projects and up to $30,000 for collaborative projects for items and/or services to be provided during a one-year time-period.

Eligibility

Applications must be submitted by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Community groups can use an organization with a 501(c)(3) designation as a fiscal sponsor. Nonprofits may serve as a fiscal sponsor for multiple projects.Both the organization and program in the application should be in existence for at least one year prior to applying.If your organization is named as a direct beneficiary in a collaboration grant that is awarded in Round 1, your organization is now ineligible to receive a grant in Round 2.Applicants are allowed to submit one application each round but may only receive one grant a year.A nonprofit or community group can only submit one application for one project or program each round for consideration. If you receive a grant in July, you are not eligible to receive a grant in November.If a nonprofit organization or community group is currently the recipient of multi-year core or project/program support from the Foundation you are ineligible for this opportunity (excluding those serving as a fiscal agent for another applicant).To increase funding equity, applicants are eligible to receive a Basic Human Needs Emergency Assistance grant based on a “3 years on 1 year off policy”. Grantees are eligible to receive a grant for three consecutive years and will be ineligible the 4th year. Applicants will then be eligible to apply after year 4th.Organizations subject to this RFP’s 3 years on 1 year off policy are organizations reporting an average annual operating budget of $2.5 million or more.Exceptions might apply to organizations whose primary purpose or mission is to increase food security.The 3 years on 1 year off policy applies to 2023 BHN Emergency Assistance grantees.The Foundation is seeking requests to directly provide emergency services and assistance that address the most basic of human needs of Greater Hartford residents. Examples of emergency services and assistance might include one or more of the following:Food or food assistance
Emergency clothing needs (e.g., shoes, school uniforms, coats)
Personal care items (e.g., deodorant, diapers, sanitary products)
Emergency financial assistance (e.g., rent and/or mortgage assistance and utility expense assistance, childcare assistance, bus fare/tokens, gas money)Emergency medical aid or immediate expense assistance (e.g., dental, medical, mental health supports, and prescription expenses)Aftercare programs for victims of domestic violence

Ineligibility

If a nonprofit organization or community group is currently the recipient of multi-year core or project/program support from the Foundation you are ineligible for this opportunity (excluding those serving as a fiscal agent for another applicant).Below are examples of ineligible requests:Permissible education-related expenses are limited to items such as K-12 uniforms and items such as pens, pencils, and notebooks. College-specific expenses such as textbooks or tuition are not eligible expenses.All items and services are for human consumption, use and benefit. Requests benefitting animals are not eligible.Applications from individual people and not nonprofit organizations are not eligible.