Frequently Asked Questions & Basic Criteria for Applying for Funding

You must be defined as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) or any applicable statute of the Internal Revenue code.

While grants are occasionally made to governmental agencies, local nonprofits receive priority. Requests will be considered from groups that do not have tax-exemption status, provided that they have a fiscal agent with the appropriate tax status. In projects involving a partnership of agencies, a single agency with the appropriate tax status and financial management capacity must assume the role of lead organization. Individuals are not eligible for grants but can be eligible for academic scholarships.

Exception:

Eligibility criteria for a New Haven and Valley Neighborhood Small Grant does not require that an applicant have non-profit status. This grant opportunity is intended to help neighborhood residents, parents, and youth enhance their leadership and organizing skills and move their civic agenda forward. You are eligible to apply for a grant if you are:

• Agencies & groups that serve the elderly
• Art Groups
• Blockwatches
• Business Associations
• Faith-based Organizations
• Individuals
• Neighborhood Groups & Associations
• Parent Groups
• Tenant Associations
• Service Clubs
• Youth Groups
• Partnerships between groups listed above
• Non-profits that are all-volunteer or have a staff of 2 or less
• Groups that received a Neighborhood Small Grant in the past

Municipalities, agencies with five or more employees, and for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply for a grant under the New Haven Neighborhood Small Grants Program.

Ansonia Bethany Branford Cheshire Derby

East Haven North Branford North Haven West Haven Oxford

New Haven Guilford Hamden Madison Milford

Seymour Shelton Wallingford Orange Woodbridge

You must adhere to a policy of non-discrimination on the basis of:

• age
• sex
• religion
• national origin
• sexual preference
• in all aspects of organizational operations including hiring, leadership and service provision.

• religious activities
• endowment campaigns
• lobbying
• travel
• previously incurred debts
• funding deficits

Requests for capital projects (building, equipment, vehicles, and other depreciable items) will be evaluated as to their ability to enable the organization to more significantly serve its constituency.

The Foundation doesn't provide permanent funding for projects. Most grants are made with continuing support contingent upon availability of support and progress towards stated outcomes. There are times, however, when requests for longer-term funding are considered and supported, in accordance with The Community Foundation's strategic goal to put community assets on solid ground.

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven does not make grants or loans to individuals. For students, there are a number of scholarships available.

All grant seekers must meet a minimum level of criteria to be eligible for funding through The Foundation's competitive grant processes.

The Foundation offers multiple funding opportunities that require an application process throughout the year. Criteria and deadlines vary. Please view our Types of Grants page to review these funding opportunities. Distributions from permanent unrestricted and preference funds, Foundation initiatives and several donor advised funds make grants under this category possible.

Scholarships administered by The Foundation are determined by committee.

Resources from designated, organization endowment and donor advised funds are distributed directly to organizations specified by the donor and are not open to an application process.

Applications are available online on the Types of Grants page. As each grant process is unique, details about how, when and where to submit an application are posted on that page and are included in the application packet.

Deadlines vary for submission of grant applications. Potential applicants are encouraged to visit the Types of Grants page frequently for a schedule of deadlines.

• You submit a pre-application via email by the deadline indicated on the Types of Grants page to Denise Canning, Grants Manager, at dcanning@cfgnh.org.
• Your pre-application is reviewed and scored by community reviewers and Foundation staff using a score sheet.
• Based on the scoring, your pre-application is either discouraged or encouraged.
• If your pre-application is encouraged, you are sent a full application which must be submitted by the deadline date indicated. Upon receiving your full application, reviewers will ask to schedule a site visit or conversation in person or by phone. Recommendations will be presented to the Board of Directors for consideration and vote.
• If your pre-application is discouraged, you can contact Foundation staff to discuss your score and you will have the opportunity to re-apply during the next grant cycle.

Not directly. Grants from donor advised funds are made to non-profit organizations based on the donor’s wishes and areas of interest.

Contact Denise Canning, Grants Manager, at dcanning@cfgnh.org or (203) 777-7076.

We do not provide direct assistance with writing proposals. However, we can suggest that you contact the Connecticut Council of Philanthropy, the Connecticut Association of Nonprofits, the New Haven Free Public Library and the Foundation Center, all of which frequently conduct or sponsor workshops on proposal writing, among other services.

While there is no guarantee that The Foundation will fund a specific grant request, it is committed to funding organizations that present opportunities for partnerships and that demonstrate an ability to leverage resources. The Foundation looks for leadership, strong evaluation and clearly articulated goals and measures when reviewing projects for which funding is requested.

There is a Non-profit Philanthropic Resource Center(NPRC) at the New Haven Free Public Library. NPRC is a Cooperating Collection of the Foundation Center, which is the nation's leading authority on institutional philanthropy. NPRC is located on the first floor of the Main Library, 133 Elm Street, New Haven and is open during regular library hours. No appointment is necessary, but if you would like to arrange for an orientation of reources or instruction on one of the databases, please call 203.946.7431 or email Seth Godfrey at nprc@nhfpl.org

Another good resource for both individuals and organizations is the Foundation Center. It does not provide funding, but it is well equipped to provide online resources to help grantseekers identify appropriate funders and develop targeted proposals. Visit its Web site to find a location near you.

The Foundation does not set a limit on the number of times an organization can apply for funding (generally we prefer that organizations use discretion and submit requests only for top-priority projects and programs). The exception to this rule is if you are awarded a grant through the Grants $5,000 and Under process. That process requires that grant recipients wait two years before applying for funding through that process again.

Community reviewers and Foundation staff review all incoming grant inquiries for the Responsive New Grants cycle. Smaller committees typically review grant inquiries for funding requested from specific funds. The Foundation's Board of Directors votes to approve funding for grant requests.

Generally, no. Your grant inquiry will serve as an introduction and summary of your project. Upon review, staff may either invite your application or contact you if a meeting or more information is necessary.

There is a wide range in the dollar amounts of grants awarded. You should determine the amount of funding you need for your project and submit an application for that amount.