$28 Million in Grants Aided Greater Hartford Nonprofits in 2011

January 2012

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving awarded more than $28 million in grants during 2011 in support of the region’s nonprofit agencies and educational institutions.
 
“As Connecticut worked to rebuild its economy, the Hartford Foundation continued our decades-long support of Greater Hartford agencies as they carried on the vital work that sustains and enriches our community,” said Linda J. Kelly, president. “We can only do our work because of the foresight and generosity of our many donors, who have continued to give even in these difficult economic times.”

The Hartford Foundation, the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding communities, receives gifts from thousands of individuals, families and organizations and awards grants to a broad range of area nonprofit organizations, many of which continue to juggle an increased demand for services with reduced private and public funding. More than 1,600 grants were awarded in 2011.

More than one-third of the grants – approximately $10 million – went to programs supporting education and workforce development, which are the focus of the Hartford Foundation’s new strategic plan, Accelerate Success.

Nonprofit agencies providing family and social services received the largest amount of grant dollars, about 24 percent, or approximately $6.8 million. This reflects Census Bureau data that more than 9 percent of Connecticut’s population has incomes below the federal poverty level – $21,756 for a family of two adults and two children.
 
Other major areas for funding were arts and culture, $4.8 million or 17 percent, and health, at 14 percent, or $4 million. Grants to support summer programs totaled more than $1 million, as did grants for college scholarships.

Since its founding in 1925, individuals, families and organizations have created more than 1,000 funds at the Hartford Foundation, resulting in more than $532 million in grants for programs and services. Twenty-four endowed funds were established at the Foundation in 2011.

 Grants awarded during 2011 included:

• $1.3 million to the Greater Hartford Arts Council for regranting to more than 100 local arts, heritage, cultural and community groups.
• $700,000 in support of programs at three agencies that provide emergency and permanent housing for the homeless in Hartford.
• $450,000 for programs at 66 Greater Hartford agencies providing basic human needs, including $335,000 from the Beatrice Fox Auerbach Foundation Fund.
• $400,000 for iQuilt, an arts-based economic development plan to establish a “quilt” of pathways weaving together downtown Hartford’s key cultural sites and institutions.
• $375,000 to MARC of Manchester for its new home for programs for people with developmental disabilities.
• $250,000, in collaboration with Bank of America, for a project to encourage high school graduation and workforce development.
• $171,500 to renovate and expand the Avon Free Public Library.
• $69,500 for restoration work on the historic carousel in Bushnell Park in Hartford.

For more information about the Hartford Foundation, and Accelerate Success, its strategic plan to improve education and workforce development, visit www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.