Hartford Foundation Awarded $29 Million to Nonprofits in 2010
March 2011
Almost 1,600 grants totaling more than $29 million were awarded to more than 600 nonprofit agencies in 2010 by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, including $3 million to help Greater Hartford agencies cope with declines in funding due to the recession and $850,000 to libraries in 29 communities to advance 21st century computer and Internet technologies.
Agencies providing family and social services received approximately one of every three grant dollars in 2010. Funding for education programs was the next highest category at 23 percent of grant dollars. Other major areas for funding were arts and culture (14 percent), health (12 percent), and housing and economic development (9 percent). Compared to 2009, grants increased 11 percent and grant dollars increased 13 percent.
“Since its founding in 1925, individuals, families and organizations have created more than 1,000 funds at the Hartford Foundation, resulting during the last 85 years in over $500 million in grants for programs and services that have enriched the lives of Greater Hartford’s citizens,” said Linda J. Kelly, president of the Hartford Foundation.
The $3 million in special transitional operating support grants – basically emergency grants that respond to unforeseen budget shortfalls – were awarded to 30 agencies to help replace the loss of anticipated financial aid from government, corporate or private sources. This continued a trend begun in 2009, in the midst of the recession, when more than $2 million in such grants was awarded to 24 agencies.
The grants to the libraries – awarded in commemoration of the Hartford Foundation’s 85th anniversary – were made to strengthen their technological capacity to meet the growing needs of their users. Projects ranged from improving and increasing hardware and software to purchasing digital cameras, music devices and e-book readers.
The projects were designed to benefit all library users, but officials stressed the added value to job seekers, people with disabilities, immigrants learning English as a Second Language and senior citizens, all categories that often include a high percentage of lower-income individuals. A national survey reported that low-income adults were more likely to rely on the public library for access to computers and the Internet than any other income group.
The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for the 29-town Greater Hartford region, dedicated to improving the quality of life for area residents for the past 85 years. The Hartford Foundation receives gifts from thousands of generous individuals and families, and in 2010, awarded grants of more than $29 million to a broad range of area nonprofit organizations. For more information about the Hartford Foundation, visit www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.