Roberts Foundation - Excellence in the Arts Grant

The Roberts Foundation - Excellence in the Arts Grant supports arts organizations in Hartford County, emphasizing the importance of artistic endeavors for community vitality. With a focus on funding exceptional aesthetic experiences, the foundation prioritizes nonprofits in key cities while encouraging visual artist compensation. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt and limited to one application per year, ensuring the cultural heritage of Hartford thrives for generations to come.

NOTE:
The Letter of Inquiry deadline represents the telephone call or email to the executive director to discuss the proposed project. This needs to be initiated before the application is sent to the foundation.For first time applicants, the executive director may wish to schedule a site visit.In cases where large requests are being made, a short (one to two page) project description may be requested prior to submission of a full application.
Why the Arts?
From its Gilded Age to present day, Hartford’s arts community has created a quality of life that resonates throughout the Capitol Region. Ned and Sunny Roberts recognized how important the arts are to maintaining the vitality of their beloved city, and 60 years ago created a foundation that would ensure Hartford’s rich cultural heritage thrived for generations.
Today the foundation is unique in its commitment to support the arts for arts’ sake, and to achieve this mission, the organization seeks to fund exceptional aesthetic experiences that reflect, celebrate and elevate the human spirit.
Funding
For particularly large requests ($25,000 or more), it is recommended that the initial contact be made well in advance of the application.

Eligibility

In regard to Excellence in the Arts grants, the foundation limits funding to organizations located in Hartford County, and gives priority to arts nonprofits in the following cities and towns:Hartford, Bloomfield, East Hartford, Farmington, New Britain, Newington, South Windsor, West Hartford, Wethersfield, WindsorOrganizations located in towns contiguous to these may be considered, but are advised to discuss their application with the executive director prior to submission.Only organizations that are exempt from Federal income tax under provision 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code may apply.Organizations are limited to one application per calendar year unless advised differently by executive director.The foundation must have received a final report on any previous grant before a new request will be considered.After several successive years of grants, an organization may be requested to take a year off.As of February 1, 2022, all applicant organizations must disclose how featured visual artists will be financially compensated.

Ineligibility

What will not be funded:Requests for endowment, general operating, scholarships, or requests from individuals Projects that have already occurred or are underway at the time the board considers the application (see below for meeting dates) Events or activities that will occur within 90 days of the application due date Proposals that use a fiscal agent or a pass-through organization Proposals from public schools or school foundations.