Grants Available to Area Nonprofits - Letters of Inquiry Due September 16, 2011

WATERBURY, CT – August 8, 2011 – The Connecticut Community Foundation is currently accepting letters of inquiry for its second round of funding in 2011. At this time, the Foundation also is accepting letters of inquiry for its partner funders including The Leever Foundation and Naugatuck Savings Bank Foundation.

The Foundation awarded more than $313,000 in grants for new and continuing programs, as well as sponsorships for public events during the Foundation’s first round of funding in the spring.

Through funds established by area donors, the Foundation supports nonprofits in Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills in arts and culture, education, environment, health and human services, and youth development.

The deadline to submit a letter of inquiry is Friday, September 16, 2011. Grants are available from the following funds, initiatives and partner funders at the Foundation:

Funds and Initiatives

• Regional Grant Fund: grants to support new, improved, or expanded programs and services; capital campaigns; equipment necessary for delivery of programs/services
• LitLinks Early Education Initiative: early education grants to improve preschool literacy skills, support teachers to improve their instructional skills, help preschools receive accreditation or undertake other overall quality improvements, assist towns in improving communication among preschools, public schools and parents
• Nonprofit Assistance Initiative (NAI): capacity-building and technology grants to nonprofits
• Pathways: Services for Seniors Initiative: grants for nonprofits that assist seniors in connecting them to information and services so they can remain in their homes and be active members of their community. Grants are made possible by the East Hill Woods Fund at the Foundation
• Saunders Fund for the Sick and Infirm of the Borough of Naugatuck: to support nonprofits that provide health care and health-related services to residents of Naugatuck
• Southbury Community Trust Fund: grants for local nonprofits that offer youth development programs, address youth behavioral health needs, and provide social services for needy families with particular attention to food sufficiency; also considers grants in the arts, community and economic development, education, the environment and health and human services
• Sponsorships: for area nonprofits that host arts, cultural, and environmental programs and events that are open to the public
• Women’s Initiative Fund & Lois Livingston McMillen Memorial Fund: funding for programs and services for women and children

Partner Funders

• The Leever Foundation: grants for early childhood education and development; youth education and development; and the arts, especially for children
• Naugatuck Savings Bank Foundation: grants for a broad range of efforts in the communities it serves with emphasis on education and encouragement of homeownership

To review the Foundation’s grant guidelines, visit www.conncf.org/grants-overview. Please note that a new one-step application is available for requests of less than $5,000. We will accept one letter of inquiry per fund.

For more information, contact (203)753-1315, or grants@conncf.org.