Stepping Forward
Responding to COVID-19 and Advancing Racial Equity
The Community Foundation launched Stepping Forward in January 2021 to respond to the historic impact of COVID-19 and to advance racial equity in Greater New Haven. Stepping Forward committed $26 million to these efforts, building on The Foundation’s long-term support for creating opportunity and equity.
What Stepping Forward Has Done
Immediate resources for Community Needs
Nonprofit Support and COVID Response
Adapted to Support and Sustain Our Nonprofit Sector
- Simplified grant application process and received more applications from small and new nonprofits.
- Awarded general operating support grants aligned with Stepping Forward’s goals and informed by community members with relevant lived experience.
- Presented increased training and capacity programs for local nonprofits.
- Continued to invest in The Great Give 36-hour fundraiser for nonprofits – 2020 Raised $3.6 million; 2021 $3.5 million; 2022 $3.4 million.
Increased Resources for Immediate Needs in Response to COVID
- Raised and distributed $4.4 million to 164 nonprofit and community organizations with the COVID-19 Community Fund in partnership with United Way of Greater New Haven.
- Increased discretionary resources for nonprofits from $2.9 million in 2019 to $6.5 million in 2020, $6.6 million in 2021 and $4.75 million in 2022.
Immediate and long-term resources for change
Racial Equity
- Established the Black Futures Fund, a permanent endowment.
- Launched the Vineyard Project for Black Futures to raise resources and tell the story of Black achievement.
- Created the Racial Equity and Creative Healing grant program for Greater New Haven artists, projects, programs, and communities.
- Invested in people of color and women entrepreneurs and small business owners.
- Created the Nonprofit Leadership Program for next-generation leaders of color in nonprofits.
- Provided $200,000 to the Progreso Latino Fund’s 20th anniversary campaign.
- Supported The Prosperity Foundation.
- Offered free Racial Equity Institute community workshops.
Equitable Entrepreneurship and Career Pathways
Inclusive Growth
- Increased investments in minority and small business support through The Community Foundation Mission Investments Company (TCF-MIC).
- Received $8.75 million to create the New Haven Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem.
- Partnered with Yale, the City of New Haven, Liberty Bank, and others to promote inclusive growth.
- Awarded $684,000 to 15 Programs that Offer Pathways to Careers in Growing Fields for a More Inclusive Economy.
- Awarded $200,000 through the Community Fund for Women and Girls “Pathways to Economic Success for Women” program.
- Made continued investments in New Haven Promise and ConnCAT.
New Endowed Funds
