Grants Available to Resident Leaders in New Haven Neighborhoods

Deadline to apply for a New Haven Neighborhood Leadership Grant is February 13, 2012

New Haven, CT (January 12, 2012) – The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven is now accepting grant applications through its New Haven Neighborhood Leadership Grant Program. The New Haven Neighborhood Leadership Grant Program is designed to work with resident leaders in New Haven neighborhoods to create positive change in the New Haven community. Application and eligibility guidelines are available at www.cfgnh.org or by calling Laura Falanga at 203-777-7084; deadline to apply is by 12:00 pm, February 13, 2012.

“The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven believes that resident leaders have the power to influence what happens in a neighborhood and the ability to build community where they live,” says Penny Canny, Senior Vice President of Grantmaking & Strategy. “We believe that all communities have assets, which include neighborhood residents, local institutions, and private and public resources. Furthermore, we believe that by supporting neighborhood leaders we facilitate their ability to inspire other residents to act in their own self-interest and the well being of their community.”

The New Haven Neighborhood Leadership Grant Program provides grants up to $3,000 and Leadership Workshops to help residents contribute to positive change in their neighborhood. Grants will be awarded for projects that closely align with the New Haven Neighborhood Leadership Program’s goals, which include:

• To encourage positive relationships among residents based on equality and valuing everyone's contributions. In support of this goal, we fund projects that help neighborhood residents get to know each other and projects that help build a sense of community.

• To support resident leaders. In support of this goal, we fund efforts to identify and develop the skills of leaders.

• To help residents organize to create positive change in the community. In support of this goal, we fund projects in which there is evidence of a neighborhood group taking action on an important community issue(s).

• To connect residents and resident-led groups across neighborhoods so they can learn from one another and take action on common concerns. In support of this goal, we fund projects that bring residents of two or more neighborhoods together to take action on an issue that is of mutual interest.

• To bring new partners to the work of resident-centered community building. In support of this goal, we fund community groups that partner with organizations that are not resident-led but are identified by residents as necessary partners to address a resident concern. These potential partners might be religious institutions, schools, non-profits organization, or businesses.

This year, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven will prioritize activities that enhance student achievement; support a college going culture; help reduce violence; and promote infant health. A complete set of Application and Guidelines is available online at www.cfgnh.org. Grant recipients will be required to participate in several Leadership Workshops designed to educate participants about the process and elements of leadership.

People who wish to apply for a New Haven Neighborhood Leadership Grant must attend an orientation session. Two sessions have been created for Tuesday, January 17th at 5:30 pm and Wednesday, January 25th at 5:30 pm. Both will take place at The Community Foundation’s offices at 70 Audubon Street, New Haven CT 06510.
 
In 2011, grants ranging from $475 to $3,000 were awarded to 16 programs that exhibited leadership and organizing skills meant to inspire individuals and groups in New Haven’s neighborhoods. Grants focused on a wide range of interests, from arts and culture, to education and mentoring, to environmental concerns.

Thanks to the generosity of three generations of donors, millions of dollars each year are distributed from an endowment of approximately $325 million in more than 800 named funds at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. In addition to its grantmaking, The Community Foundation works toward building a stronger community by: taking measures to improve student achievement, including partnering with the City of New Haven and Yale University to create New Haven Promise which promotes college education as an aspiration and provides graduates college scholarships; serving as the lead for New Haven Healthy Start, a federally funded program to improve maternal health and reduce the infant mortality rate; working with various groups to grow and deepen the impact of their philanthropy; identifying and supporting grassroots leadership; and strengthening nonprofits and promoting philanthropy through technical assistance programs, a new online knowledge and giving resource known as www.giveGreater.org, and raising awareness about community issues at www.cfgnh.org/learn. Donors interested in learning more about their charitable giving options through The Community Foundation are encouraged to contact Angela Powers at apowers@cfgnh.org or 203-777-7068. For more information, visit www.cfgnh.org or www.facebook.com/cfgnh.

 

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Contact:    

Tricia Caldwell
Communications Manager
203-777-7090
tcaldwell@cfgnh.org