At this time, any eligible charities approaching the Foundation for support through its Community Grants Program will have two funding options to pursue: new initiative grants and responsive grants. Only one application from any applicant or group of applicants may be pending at any time.
New Initiative Grants. In 2010, we launched our new initiative grants program to spur local nonprofit collaboratives and social entrepreneurs to think creatively about ways to enhance the quality of Jewish life in Greater Hartford through innovative programs of high visibility and impact. We look for natural partners, specifically organizations whose visions and missions are aligned with this concept and have the capacity to succeed in achieving positive change. We also look for programs that have unique elements that set them apart from existing programs and make them innovative. Our goal is to help local grantees dream bigger, reach higher and ultimately become as successful as possible.
Responsive Grants. The Foundation's responsive grantmaking program represents a significant evolution in our strategic grantmaking agenda. We work with organizations whose mission is to serve the Greater Hartford Jewish community. The general parameters that define our priorities and focus include:
- funding of discrete time limited seed projects that are aligned with community funding priorities and provide benefits that are likely to endure beyond the period of Foundation funding.
- offering resources directed to promote healthy aging and independent living in low income elderly populations.
- promoting capable leaders, sound financial and organizational management and strong governance.
If you are interested in submitting a request for funds, please call our office at 860.523.7460 or email grants@jcfhartford.org to see if your organization and project may be eligible for community grants funding:
To find out whether your organization is currently eligible for community grants, please contact grants@jcfhartford.org.
New Initiative Grants
| Proposal Due |
March 1, 2012 |
September 1, 2012 |
| Invitations to Submit Full Application Mailed |
On or before
April 1, 2012
|
On or before
October 31, 2012 |
| Full Application Due |
June 1, 2012 |
January 2, 2013 |
| Grants Committee Review Process |
July - October, 2012 |
January -
April 2013 |
| Action by Board of Trustees |
December 15, 2012* |
June 15, 2013* |
Responsive Grants
| Letters of Inquiry Due |
December 15, 2011 |
June 15, 2012 |
| Invitations to Submit Application Mailed |
On or before
January 31, 2012 |
On or before
July 31, 2012 |
| Applications Due |
March 1, 2012 |
September 1, 2012 |
| Grants Committee Review Process |
April - May, 2012 |
September -
November 2012 |
| Action by Board of Trustees |
June 15, 2012* |
December 15, 2012* |
*Board meeting dates not finalized.
Tips for Publicizing Your Foundation Grant
Congratulations again on your recent grant from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford. We are pleased to partner with your organization through this investment in our community.
In the award letter you received, there are a few conditions connected to our grant. One of the most important is the publicizing of the grant award. Sharing the good news of your grant through press releases and other forms of publicity has several benefits. First, you receive positive attention for the good work you are doing. Second, the Jewish Community Foundation and its donors are recognized. This raises awareness of the value of charitable giving through the Foundation and promotes philanthropy so that we can invest additional dollars in the community. Thirdly, because our funding decisions are made by members of our community, identifying the Jewish Community Foundation as a source of support lends credibility to your efforts. Finally, through your publicity, other nonprofits learn about the Jewish Community Foundation’s grant program and are encouraged to contact us. That is good for all of our community partners.
We also need quality action photos of projects funded through Foundation grants.
Here are some tips for publicizing grants:
Our name: The correct name of our foundation is: Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford.
It should be referred to in this way in all publicity material, including lists, newsletters, press releases, websites, etc. If a portion of your grant comes from a specifically named fund, that fund should also be noted in any publicity. The proper name of the fund will be given in your grant award letter.
Named Funds: In addition to our unrestricted community funds, the Jewish Community Foundation has donor advised funds and designated funds. These funds are often named for the person(s) who established them, or in memory of a loved one or for a particular charity. See the next section, Sample Grant Award Language, for examples of language to use.
Sample Grant Award Language:
Publicity for a grant from our Foundation’s unrestricted community funds should include the amount of the grant and our Foundation’s legal name.
EXAMPLE: “[Organization] received a $5,000 grant from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford.”
Publicity for a grant from a named fund should include: (1) the total grant amount; (2) the Jewish Community Foundation’s name; and (3) the name of the fund(s) from which the grant was paid.
EXAMPLE: “[Organization] received a $5,000 grant from the [NAME] Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford.”
Press Releases/Newsletter Articles: These are the two most common forms of grant publicity used by nonprofits, and we encourage you to consider using both of them. See Attachment A for a sample press release and more tips on producing an effective press release.
We have seen a number of lengthy articles in nonprofit newsletters, the Connecticut Jewish Ledger and in the general media that have not mentioned the Foundation when highlighting programs and projects funded by the Foundation. It is important to insure that this information is not overlooked when a story is written.
Although Foundation staff reads the local newspapers as often as possible, we do occasionally miss a story which mentions a grant. We ask that you please forward copies of media coverage or newsletters that mention our grant to your organization when they are published. This will assist us in ensuring that you have met this particular condition of the grant.
Sample Press Release
Ongoing Acknowledgment: When the Jewish Community Foundation has provided significant funding to a program/event (e.g. important start-up funding), we would appreciate that support being acknowledged in special stories or literature about the program/event, such as celebrations, anniversaries or other coverage.
Our Logo: We would love for you to use our logo on any printed materials or on your website, we just ask that you contact us so that we can provide several formats for best reproduction.
Website: We encourage you to include a link from your website to ours. Please let us know if you decide to link our website.
Plaques/Signs: In the cases of grants for items such as playground equipment or benches, the Foundation appreciates acknowledgment of the grant with a plaque or sign on the equipment, etc. Please contact us to discuss the suggested wording and placement of such acknowledgments.
Sponsorship Board/Banner: The Foundation has a foam core board (approximately 1½’ x 2’) that can be placed on an easel. We will produce a banner in the coming weeks. If we have provided funding for a public event, we would like the opportunity to display this sign/banner.
Questions: To discuss publicity of a Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford grant, please contact Deborah Rothstein or Cecil Phillips-Ritchey at 860.523.7460 or drothstein@jcfhartford.org or CPhillips-Ritchey@jcfhartford.org.
Is my organization eligible for a grant?
We make most of our grants to nonprofits classified as section 501(c)(3) organizations and public charities by the Internal Revenue Service. We may also award grants to synagogues. Competitive grants made through the Foundation's community grants programs are awarded to local organizations that offer activities and services benefit residents of the Greater Hartford region. These grants typically strengthen a sense of Jewish identity and core values.
Can my organization apply for a grant from a donor advised fund?
No. Individuals give through the Jewish Community Foundation for many reasons. Donors find that it is convenient and cost effective to centralize their charitable giving at the Foundation because we make their philanthropy easy. Many want to give anonymously. Some donors want to learn more about specific community issues and projects and our staff [conducts research to identify projects that best meet their interests and philanthropic goals. To protect the privacy of our donors, donor advised funds are not open to application or inquiry.
Can you refer us to anyone else for funding?
A good resource for organizations is the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy. CCP does not provide funding itself, but provides online resources to help grantseekers identify appropriate funders in Connecticut and develop strong grant proposals.
Can I request funds from the Jewish Community Foundation for personal needs?
Our Foundation does not make grants or loans to individuals. As a community foundation, we serve charitable and educational needs addressed by tax-exempt organizations. For students, there are a number of scholarships available.