HFPG Regular Grants

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving offers regular grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Greater Hartford, aiming to address systemic issues and enhance community well-being. Organizations can apply for one grant every three years, focusing on program/project support, continuation, capital improvements, or general operating support. The foundation prioritizes initiatives that tackle critical human needs, promote equity, and align with its goal of dismantling structural racism, fostering a resilient and inclusive Hartford community.

The Hartford Foundation For Public Giving - Together for Good
As Greater Hartford’s community foundation, we are a public, grantmaking organization bringing together dedicated individuals, businesses and nonprofits to understand local challenges, share information and put resources behind solutions that can improve the quality of life for those both in our region and across the state of Connecticut.
The barriers to success are longstanding, systemic and persistent.
Investing In Our Community
We partner with nonprofits to build a stronger and more equitable Greater Hartford. Our grantmaking addresses systemic issues and responds to evolving needs in our community.
The Hartford Foundation works with nonprofit organizations to bring about lasting change in our community. Our grantmaking both addresses major issues affecting our community and responds to evolving community needs.
An organization may be eligible to apply for one regular grant every three years, selecting its highest priority from one of the following grant types:

• Program/Project

Grants that support new programs, demonstration projects, studies, or surveys that do not commit the Foundation to recurring costs. These grants provide funding for one to three years and may also be used to enhance, expand or strengthen existing programs, services and organizational capacity.
Continuation
Additional funding provided at the end of a grant to help an organization reach project outcomes that were not met within the original schedule. Continuation grants can last up to two years and are only for projects that meet certain criteria, such as those that address high-priority community issues.
Capital Grants
Grants supporting capital improvements, such as building purchase, construction or renovation, or capital equipment purchase. The Foundation generally supports a capital or building campaign once.
General Operating Support
Grants that support an organization’s ongoing activities and stability, as outlined in its strategic plan. Funding can be used at the organization’s discretion. These grants are an option for organizations with budgets over $200,000. Eligibility is highly competitive, and organizations must be in sound financial condition.
Transitional Operating Support Grants
In special circumstances, these grants help well-run nonprofits that have experienced unexpected income gaps to continue important programs or close down operations.
Priority is given to programs that provide:
Critical basic human needs, such as food and shelter, to indigent and working poor. Services other than basic human needs, such as health, education, literacy and legal services, to vulnerable and disadvantaged populations.
Services that make a major impact on quality of life and/or the region’s economy, such as arts and culture, workforce development and economic development.

Eligibility

Organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits to apply.A significant portion of your organization's services must benefit residents of the Hartford Foundation's 29-town region.Proposals for statewide projects may be considered when there is a substantial benefit to residents in our funding region. In these cases, the Foundation’s support would be in proportion to the anticipated benefit for residents of the Capitol Region.Your organization must operate under best practices for governance.Organization mission or project aligns with our goal of dismantling structural racism.Your board of directors and staff must be representative of the racial/ethnic diversity of the region you serve.

Ineligibility

The Foundation does not make grants to:Support sectarian or religious activitiesSupport the operations of independent schoolsSupport a program at a single schoolIndividualsPrivate foundationsEndowments or memorialsSupport direct or grass-roots lobbying effortsSupport conferences, research, or informational activities on topics that are primarily national or international in perspectiveFederal, state, or municipal agencies or departments supported by taxation except in selected cases when Foundation initiatives or special projects are involved.Support sponsorship of one-time events, except in selected cases when Foundation initiatives or special projects are involvedSupport liquidation of obligations previously incurred