The Community Foundation Awards $2.8 Million in Responsive Grants to Local Nonprofits
Funding prioritized for nonprofits affected by federal actions
New Haven, Conn. (Aug. 4, 2025) – The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven has awarded $2,879,000 through its annual responsive grants program to a large and diverse group of nonprofit organizations serving Greater New Haven.
Grants for general operating support are being distributed to 81 nonprofits that were selected from a pool of 141 applications, one of the largest in The Community Foundation’s history.
As a place-based funder, The Community Foundation’s responsive grants are awarded to organizations serving Greater New Haven residents across a broad range of service areas including health, arts and culture, youth programs, advocacy and civic engagement.
This year, The Foundation prioritized organizations that were negatively affected by federal actions, which have included policy changes and major funding cuts. Priority was also given to organizations working to address such pressing needs as housing and to organizations serving vulnerable residents including people struggling to meet their basic needs, immigrants and LGBTQ+ communities. Grants will also support organizations aligned with The Foundation’s strategy for inclusive growth.
“Nonprofits are facing unprecedented challenges from the federal government’s shifting priorities and funding cuts, coupled with increased need in our community. The general operating support provided by these grants are one of the many ways that The Foundation is working to meet the moment for Greater New Haven residents,” said The Community Foundation President and CEO Karen DuBois-Walton.
The annual responsive grant program is The Foundation’s largest competitive grant program and awards general operating support funding for one, two or three years.
“Awarding multi-year unrestricted funding follows the best practices in philanthropy," said Christina Ciociola, senior vice president for planning and community strategies. "It gives nonprofits the stability and the flexibility to best fulfill their missions in serving our community, and The Foundation is the largest source of this type of support in the region.”
In making funding recommendations, staff considered the strength of programs, outcomes, evaluation, governance and equity. Grants were awarded to several basic needs organizations affected by federal funding cuts including Connecticut Food Share and Beth-El Center. Grantee organizations serving immigrants and refugees included CT Students for a Dream, CT Institute for Immigrants and Refugees, Elena’s Light and JUNTA for Progressive Action. Prioritized funding for organizations advancing inclusive growth included grants for ConnCORP, CT NAACP and the Women’s Business Development Council.
“Generations of donors committed to Greater New Haven have made these grants possible,” said DuBois-Walton. “There is still so much more needed to be done at this moment, and we look forward to continuing our work with the donors of today to expand the philanthropic capacity of our region.”
2025 Responsive Grant Awards
One-year grant recipients
All Our Kin - $25,000
ALS Association, Connecticut Chapter - $15,000
American Red Cross Connecticut Chapter - $20,000
Arts for Learning - $25,000
Believe In Me Corporation - $15,000
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut, Inc. - $20,000
CLICC Inc. - $20,000
Concepts for Adaptive Learning - $15,000
ConnCORP, LLC - $25,000
Connecticut Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) - $30,000
Connecticut Fair Housing Center - $20,000
Connecticut NAACP - $25,000
Creative Arts Workshop Inc - $20,000
D.E.S.T.I.N.E.D to Succeed - $15,000
Discovering Amistad - $35,000
Elena's Light - $20,000
Elm City Montessori School - $20,000
Ely Center of Contemporary Art - $20,000
EMERGE Connecticut Inc - $20,000
Fostering Family Hope - $15,000
Girl Scouts of Connecticut Inc. - $20,000
Glendower Group - $25,000
Governor's Partnership to Protect CT's Workforce d/b/a The Governor's Prevention Partnership - $15,000
Greater Dwight Development Corporation, Inc - $25,000
Guilford Art Center - $20,000
High Hopes Therapeutic Riding - $10,000
HT CT dba Hang Time - $15,000
Jewish Family Service of Greater New Haven - $20,000
Junior Achievement of Southwest New England, Inc. - $20,000
MakeHaven - $15,000
Mercy Center at Madison - $15,000
Moving With Health Oriented Physical Education, Inc. - $30,000
New Haven Ballet - $20,000
New Haven Reads - $30,000
New Haven Symphony Orchestra - $20,000
NXTHVN Inc - $15,000
Pro Bono Partnership - $20,000
Save the Sound - $20,000
She Leads Justice - $30,000
Shoreline Greenway Trail, Inc - $15,000
Southington-Cheshire Community YMCAs Inc. - $30,000
Tommy Fund for Childhood Cancer - $25,000
Towers Foundation - $30,000
TriCircle - $15,000
Women and Family Life Center - $35,000
WPKN-FM - $15,000
Youth Continuum, Inc. - $35,000
Two-year grant recipients
Beth-El Center, Inc. - $40,000
Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants - $45,000
Connecticut Veterans Legal Center - $33,000
Local Initiatives Support Corporation - $35,000
Massaro Community Farm - $30,000
Three-year grant recipients
4-CT - $50,000
Agency on Aging of South Central CT - $50,000
Anchor Health Initiative Corp - $55,000
ARTE Inc. - $50,000
Capital for Change, Inc. - $45,000
cARTie - $21,000
Central Connecticut Coast YMCA - $55,000
Christian Community Action, Inc. - $60,000
CitySeed Inc. - $50,000
Clifford W. Beers Guidance Clinic - $60,000
Columbus House, Inc. - $60,000
Connecticut Foodshare -$90,000
Connecticut Students for a Dream - $65,000
Everyday Democracy - $50,000
Fair Haven Community Health Clinic - $70,000
Friends Center for Children - $55,000
Gaylord Hospital, Inc. - $70,000
Guiding Eyes for the Blind - $150,000
Haven's Harvest - $55,000
Junta for Progressive Action, Inc. - $55,000
Leeway - $60,000
Liberty Community Services, Inc. - $60,000
Mutual Housing Association of SC CT - $45,000
Student Loan Fund - $45,000
Sunrise Cafe New Haven - $60,000
Sustainable CT - $35,000
United Way of Greater New Haven - $80,000
Urban Community Alliance - $45,000
Women's Business Development Council - $45,000
