2023 Grants & Initiatives
Through March 30, 2023 the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain has awarded $1,086,186.89 in grants and scholarships. Thank you for your support!
Community Initiatives
The CFGNB is proactive with a portion of its grant making in order to seek out, create and support projects and initiatives that focus on the broader community as well as the non-profits that serve the community. By being strategic and investing resources in this manner, the foundation fulfills its community leadership goal of defining challenges and investing in solutions.
- $8,395 for Bread for Life, Southington to partner on year three of an innovative social enterprise that will diversify the organization’s funding stream and provide transitional training and employment to BFL clients.
- $20,000 to the YWCA of New Britain for year two of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work for non-profit organizations exploring this issue as a co-hort and working to implement change in their organizations.
The Catalyst Program
Catalyst is a “giving circle” of local citizens who seek to learn about community issues in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. Anyone can become a part of this group by making a contribution of $250 to the Catalyst Fund and completing a membership form. “Discovery” memberships are available to first-time members (and their families) for a gift of $50 for the first year, and a “Business” membership offers local businesses the opportunity to engage their employees in local philanthropy. Members gather three times per year to learn about a member-chosen issue facing their community, and to consider funding requests from charitable organizations addressing the issue. The year concludes with a grant of up to $15,000.
- $15,000 to New Life II in New Britain for Forensic Peer Supports Training as well as 3 months of Recovery Housing Sponsorships for 3 men who have no place to live after being incarcerated.
Capacity Building Initiative
The Foundation’s Capacity Building Initiative supports the non-profit organizations in our service area which in turn, strengthens our communities. The Initiative has several components, one of which offers hands-on workshops and training for local organizations. Topics covered by the workshops include strategic planning, fundraising, marketing, board development and more. As part of the Foundation’s Capacity Building program, mini grants are offered to help non-profit organizations implement what they have learned in the trainings. The following Capacity Building mini grants were awarded in 2023:
- $2,000 to Berlin Equity Action Team to work with Harvest Development Group consultant to train the Board on Community Development, Refine BEAT’s Digital presence and develop a Social Media Plan with measureable outputs.
- $2,000 to CCARC for an Employee Well-Being project aimed at supporting stress reduction in the workplace to improve staffing and reduce turnoves
- $2,000 to Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington to design an enhanced web experience to build ECCS’s philanthropic community
- $2,000 to Family Forward Advocacy to develop a social media plan with measurable outputs
- $2,000 to Literacy Volunteers of America Central CT to enhance strategic leadership capacity
- $1,500 to Opportunities Industrialization Center (OICNB) to support the development of a strategic plan for the organization
- $2,000 to Rain Collective for organizational strategic planning
- $2,000 to Friendship Service Center for a board capacity building project aimed at reforming board to be more effective and aligned by offering a job description, a self-evaluation, and a composition review to ensure FSC has who it needs on the board, and that they are engaged and mobilized.
- $2,000 to Senior Transportation Services for support to build its board of to include more members and to provide significant support to this organization moving forward.
- $2,000 to SoCCA (Southington Community Cultural Arts) to support the redesign of the website to a WordPress platform which is more flexible and easier to use for end users
First Years First
We believe that preparing the children of Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington for success in school and in life by enhancing their early childhood development education experience is fundamental to any meaningful expression of the Foundation’s mission.
- $7,500 to the Consolidated School District of New Britain to support continued implementation of the Pyramid Model, a conceptual framework of evidence-based practices for promoting young children’s healthy social and emotional development, for children birth to five in New Britain’s School Readiness Programs.
- $38,000 matching grant to the Southington Public Schools to support the Southington Family
Resource Network for programming from September 2023 through summer 2024. - $25,000 grant to the YWCA New Britain to support year two of the Early Childhood Incubator
Project, a partnership with the New Britain Housing Authority, that will train up to 4 women in
early childhood development and business management skills and support the first co-hort of 4
women in launching their early childcare business - $4,500 from First Years First to Berlin Public Schools for a collaboration with the Berlin-Peck Library that will strengthen parents and caregivers of 2 and 3 year olds by providing them with relevant information on child development and developmental milestones.
- $40,000 From First Years First to Literacy Volunteers of Central Connecticut to support programming for parents and their young children at the Central Connecticut Family Literacy Center.
Sub-Total, Community Initiatives Grants: $177,895
Arts, Culture and Heritage
We believe that when the Foundation supports arts, culture and heritage programs, we not only enhance the quality of life for all residents in those communities, but also invest in the long-term economic vitality and well-being of the Greater New Britain area.
- $8,000 to the Barnes Museum, Southington, to support the Preservation and Beautification Project
- $7,500 to the Berlin Equity Action Team capacity-building grant to support BEAT programs and activities that will help educate Berlin residents about its abolitionist history and the contributions that ethnic minority groups have made in the community.
- $5,000 to CONCORA to support their 2023 summer and fall concert series.
- $7,500 to CT Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra to support the hiring of staff to support a Community Building and Development Strategy
- $10,000 to Queen Ann Nzinga Center for capacity building that will result in the sustainable growth of the organization.
- $50,000 to the New Britain Museum of American Art to support Education and Outreach
- $10,000 to Southington Community Cultural Arts to implement its new traveling art program called “ArtVanGo!”
Community & Economic Development
We believe that supporting community and economic development efforts adds to the strength and stability of neighborhoods and the citizens that live within them.
- $8,000 to CT Students for a Dream to support the New Britain Youth Organizing Program
- $15,000 to Lewis Educational Agricultural Farm for operating support
- $8,000 to Local Initiatives Support Corporation to support the FOC partnership with HRA New Britain
- $15,000 to United Way of Central and Northeastern CT to support the Workforce Solutions Collaborative of Metro Hartford, which will help workers in our service area, access good jobs.
Education
We believe in the saying that “knowledge is power.” When the Foundation invests in education, it is helping to provide citizens with a key that can help open many doors.
- $12,000 to the CT Science Center for a Teen STEM Programming and Educator Professional Development project at NBHS
- $10,000 to Girls with Voices for the Girl Talk program
- $5,000 to Tunxis Community College Foundation for the Women’s Leadership Institute, “Launch your Leadership Journey” program
Health and Human Services
We believe that having access to services that help maintain or improve health, or which help citizens gain access to basic human services, is fundamental to quality of life.
- $5,000 capacity building grant to Autism Families Connecticut to support the development of creating strategic plan that will support sustainability.
- $15,000 to Best Buddies CT for the Friendship and Leadership Development Program in New Britain for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
- $15,000 to BLFC (Black Lion’s Football Club) to support its practice sessions, game tournaments and clinics aimed at providing young, underserved soccer players with the platforms to develop their skills and to pursue educational opportunities and participate in youth soccer leagues and tournaments.
- $7,750 to Bread for Life for a donor database management system assessment, recommendation, data migration and policy development project that will greatly enhance this growing organization’s ability to work effectively and communicate well with donors.
- $16,250 to Central CT State University Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) to help purchase a van for a Student-Run Free Community Clinic
- $30,000 to the City of New Britain to support the Building Hope Together Homelessness Prevention and Security Deposit Program.
- $25,000 to Community Mental Health Affiliates to purchase furnishings for Kensington Garden, a respite wing that will accommodate 50 individuals from Central Connecticut with behavioral health and/or substance use issues.
- $5,000 to CT Association of School Based Health Centers to support its work towards a more equitable healthcare delivery system in communities with limited services and to bridge the gap in health disparities experienced by minority populations & children of color, including access to medical, mental health, & oral health care.
- $5,000 to Family Forward Advocacy CT for parent resiliency workshops in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington.
- $10,000 to Family Promise of Central Connecticut for operating support
- $5,000 to Friends of Southington Animal Control to upgrade the chain link doors on animal enclosures at the Shelter to tempered glass doors with swing out feeders
- $16,450 to Friendship Service Center for employee training in 2023 aimed at increasing staff retention and to give them the tools they need to grow in their competency.
- $5,000 to Gilead Community Services to support renovation of the front porch at Farrell Treatment Center in New Britain
- $7,500 to Giving Back Food Pantry to address food insecurity
- $40,000 to The Hospital of Central CT to renovate and update the Med Pyxis Room (automated medication-dispensing room)
- $10,000 to Klingberg Family Centers to support expansion of its food pantry
- $7,500 to Livewell Alliance for scholarships to the Resilient Center for economically and socially diverse Greater New Britain area residents living with dementia
- $15,000 to New Life II to support the “Love Your Life,” a new program to decrease substance abuse deaths among African American and Hispanic men and women.
- $10,000 to the Plainville Community Pantry to address food insecurity
- $8,000 to Prudence Crandall Center for year two of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Human Resources Initiative
- $10,000 to Q Plus for administrative capacity expansion that will free up time for the Executive Director to work on fundraising and program expansion.
- $50,000 to the Southington-Cheshire YMCA to support the Save the Sloper Pond project to ensure the long-term health of Sloper Pond for generations to come.
- $5,000 to Sustainable CT to support a Sustainable CT 2023 Fellowship Program which places college students in regional planning offices to provide hands-on assistance to municipalities in implementing sustainability actions to build more inclusive, resilient, and vibrant communities for all residents.
- $7,500 to Wheeler Clinic to support the startup of “Walk with Me” in New Britain, a therapeutic and peer support program that supports the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary and questioning (LGBTQ+) clients.
- $15,000 to World Wide Youth Network for the “Knowledge of SELF” (Social Emotional Learning with Friends), a program Providing mental & behavioral health interventions and destigmatizing mental and behavioral health in youth in New Britain.
- $1,500 to Veterans Strong Community Center to support “Communicate Clearly,” a focused effort to streamline donor and supporter communication processes.
Sub-total, Community Response Grants: $513,450
Donor Advised Grants
- Obedzinski Family Charitable Fund
- $50 to Literacy Volunteers of Central CT for general operating
- $50 to Theaterworks for general operating
- $50 to Hartford Rescue Mission for general operating
- $50 to Prudence Crandall Center for general operating
- $50 to the OIC Endowment Fund at CFGNB
- $50 to New Britain Roots for general operating
- $50 to Nature American Heritage Association for general operating
- $50 Hopalong Hollow for general operating
Rotary Club of New Britain-Berlin
- $500 to the Catalyst Fund to sponsor two Catalyst members in 2023
- $1,500 to the New Britain Youth Museum at Hungerford Park for a Facelift of the Nature Center Lab & Children’s Classroom
Schaller Auto World Fund
- $2,500 to Gifts of Love for the Putting Contest sponsor for the golf tournament
Sub-Total, Donor Advised Grants: $4,900
Designated Grants
- Anonymous Fund
Foundation of Special Care, Pulmonary Support Group/Special Care Breath-Takers - A. W. Stanley Park Fund
City of New Britain, for improvements to A.W. Stanley Park - The Berlin Land Trust Fund
Berlin Land Trust, Inc. - The Maria and Mark Bernacki Family Fund
New Britain High School Music Department, to help fund any theatrical, choral, or orchestral stage performances
New Britain High School Athletic Department, for the baseball program
New Britain Public Library, to fund the history department of materials and programs as well as support for the acquisition and retaining of historical materials in the library about the history of New Britain - The Bialkowski Family Fund
Sacred Heart School, financial aid for students - The Bialkowski Family Religious Fund
Divine Word Missionaries, for training of young persons for priesthood or as missionaries
Salesian Missions, training young persons for priesthood or as missionaries
The Marist Brothers, Inc., for training young persons for priesthood or as missionaries
Saint Lawrence Seminary, training young persons for priesthood or as missionaries
Oblate Missions of Mary Immaculate, training young persons for priesthood or as missionaries
Sacred Heart Church, for its general purposes - Carlson Family Fund
Community Foundation of Greater New Britain
The Hospital of Central Connecticut - The CCARC Foundation, Inc. Endowment Fund
CCARC, Inc., to support the mission of the organization - Community Chest of New Britain and Berlin, Inc. Fund
Community Chest of New Britain and Berlin - Joseph P. and Mary Ann D. Cianci Charitable Fund for the Benefit of the Hospital for Special Care and Foodshare
Hospital for Special Care
Foodshare - CFGNB Administrative Endowment Fund
Community Foundation of Greater New Britain - Greta Rogers Cook Fund
Klingberg Family Centers New Britain
New Britain Public Library - CW Resources Fund
CW Resources - Fred A. Damiani and Jeannette C. Varkal Fund
The Hospital of Central Connecticut - The Endowment Fund for Healthy Aging
Hartford HealthCare Senior Services, to support the mission of the organization - Friends of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church Fund
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church - Friendship Service Center Fund
Friendship Service Center - Grace CME Church Fund
- John Noxon “Nox” and Cherry Howard Fund
Boys and Girls Club of New Britain, Inc.
Wheeler Clinic, Inc. - Human Resources Agency of New Britain Agency Fund
Human Resources Agency of New Britain, Inc. - Iaia Fund in Memory of Antonio, Ignazia, Joseph and Paul
Saint Joachim Parish - Curtis and Degi Jennings Fund
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, for enrichment and extracurricular activities - Edith Johnson Fund for New Britain Area Interfaith Conference, Inc.
New Britain Area Interfaith Conference, Inc., to further the group’s public education efforts - Edith Johnson Fund for First Lutheran Church of the Reformation
First Lutheran Church of the Reformation, to further the church’s work with young people and bring music to the people of New Britain - Julian R. Judge, Sr. Memorial Fund
The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, to benefit the Degree Completion Initiative - Henry and Christa Juengst Fund
American Cancer Society, Inc.
American Diabetes Association, Inc.
American Heart Association, Inc.
Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Foundation
Kensington Congregational Church
Salvation Army - Stanley and Anelia Kustra Fund
Foundation of Special Care, pediatric programs
Hartford Hospital, cardiac programs
The Hospital of Central Connecticut, George Bray Cancer Center
Salvation Army of New Britain - Robert J. Loughery Fund
Sisters of Mercy, Northeast Community - Literacy Volunteers of Central Connecticut Fund
Literacy Volunteers of Central Connecticut - Stanley J. Markiewicz Fund
Archdiocese of Hartford, Archbishop’s Annual Appeal - New Britain Manufacturing Academy (MET) Fund
Consolidated School District, MET Academy equipment for the high school and middle school - Mugford/Hayes Bright Futures for Prudence Crandall Center, Inc.
Prudence Crandall Center, Inc. - New Britain High School Foundation Fund
New Britain High School Foundation - New Britain High School Spirit Fund
New Britain High School Marching Band. to support the NBHS Music Department, band, colorguard, cheerleaders, and overall NBHS spirit - New Britain Manufacturing Academy (MET) Fund
The MET Academy, Consolidated School District of New Britain, to support the Academy and its educational programs - OIC of New Britain Endowment Fund
Opportunities Industrialization Center of New Britain, Inc. - ParaDYM Academy Orion/Asfaw Endowment Fund
ParaDYM Academy - Myrna M. Pauloz Senior Center Fund
Berlin Senior Center, to support the physical needs and activities of the organization - Myrna M. Pauloz Hospital of Central Connecticut New Britain Campus Fund
The Hospital of Central Connecticut, to support medical research relating to inpatient care and to directly benefit inpatient in other ways - Hugh and Lois Penney Fund
CCARC, Inc.
Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, Administrative Endowment
Connecticut Conference of United Church of Christ
Friendship Service Center
Klingberg Family Centers, New Britain
Literacy Volunteers of Central Connecticut
New Britain Museum of American Art
South Congregational-First Baptist Church
YMCA of New Britain-Berlin - Penneys for the Foundation Fund
Community Foundation of Greater New Britain Administrative Endowment - Herbert M. and Edyth Woodruff Peterson Fund
Friendship Service Center
Salvation Army of New Britain
South Congregational-First Baptist Church, New Britain
YMCA of New Britain-Berlin
YWCA of New Britain - Joanne Michelini Pigott Fund
Berlin Peck Memorial Library, for book acquisition - Plainville Community Schools Innovation in Education Fund
Plainville Community Schools - Natalie K. Pollock Development Fund
The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, to support development activities - Prudence Crandall Center Fund
Prudence Crandall Center - Father John J. Reilley Fund
Archdiocese of Hartford, Educational Fund - Sacred Heart School Fund
Sacred Heart School, New Britain - Matteo J. Scalaro Fund for Catholic Education
St. Patrick Cathedral School, to provide book awards - Joseph T. and Christine J. Schribert Designated Fund
American Red Cross Connecticut Chapter
Annunciation Parish
Arthritis Foundation- Connecticut
Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Foundation
Foundation for Special Care
Hartford Hospital, to add to the Endowment for Cardiac Programs and research
The Hospital of Central Connecticut, to benefit the George Bray Cancer Center
VNA Healthcare, Inc., to provide hospice care to the people of New Britain - Southington Library Endowment Fund
Southington Library Endowment - Southington Library Capital Needs Fund
Southington Library, for capital needs programs - Harriet Stanley Designated Fund for CCNBB
Community Chest of New Britain-Berlin - Stanley Memorial Church Fund
Stanley Memorial-Fountain of Life Church - The Tanner Family Fund
The Hospital of Central Connecticut - Georgia Thomson Designated Fund for CCNBB
Community Chest of New Britain-Berlin - Helen P.G. and John C. Vibberts Fund
New Britain Museum of American Art, for conservation and maintenance of the Sanford B.D. Low Collection - John C. and Helen P.G. Vibberts Fund
Foundation of Special Care, to support Hospital for Special Care - Walk of Life Endowment Fund
New Britain Parks & Recreation Department, for maintenance of Walk of Life in Walnut Hill Park - Walnut Hill Rose Garden Endowment Fund
Vision New Britain, for maintaining Walnut Hill Rose Garden - The Webb Family Fund
Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, Administrative Endowment
YWCA of New Britain - The Weld Fund
American Legion Eddy Glover Post #6
Art League of New Britain
Boy Scouts of America, Connecticut River Council, to benefit New Britain Scouts
Boys and Girls Club of New Britain
Community Foundation of Greater New Britain
CONCORA
Connecticut Theatre Company
Foundation of Special Care
Friendship Service Center
The Hospital of Central Connecticut
Klingberg Family Centers, New Britain
Mount Holyoke College
New Britain Garden Club
New Britain Industrial Museum
New Britain Museum of American Art
New Britain Public Library
New Britain Symphony Society
New Britain Youth Museum
Repertory Theater of New Britain
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, New Britain
United Way of New Britain & Berlin, Inc.
YWCA of New Britain - The Gwendolyn S. Wellman Designated Fund
CT Breast Health Initiative, Inc.
Main Street Children’s Choir
New Britain Symphony Society, Inc.
South Congregational – First Baptist Church, to support the Music Series programs
YWCA of New Britain - Wellman Family Fund
Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, Administrative Endowment - Mary Whittlesey Designated Fund for CCNBB
Community Chest of New Britain-Berlin
Sub-Total, Designated Grants: $
Scholarships Awarded
The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain awards scholarships to students from Berlin, New Britain, Plainville, Southington and other towns.
For a full listing of 2023 scholarship awards, visit our 2023 Scholarships Awarded page
Sub-total, Scholarships:$333,459
Community Chest of New Britain & Berlin
- $10,000.00 to Best Buddies of CT to fund Program Expansion in New Britain and Berlin
- $15,000.00 to Boys and Girls Club New Britain to fund the Computer Literacy Program
- $10,000.00 to CCARC to fund their Transition Program for Employment and Project SEARCH
- $15,000.00 to Chrysalis Center to fund Case Management for Community Supportive Housing Program
- $15,000.00 to Consolidated School District of New Britain to fund the Summer Learning Experience (S.L.E.)
- $15,000.00 to Family Promise of Central CT to fund the Homeless Prevention Program (HPP)
- $7,500.00 to Gifts of Love to fund the Weekend Food Backpack Program
- $15,000.00 to Gilead Community Services for general operating for the Farrell Treatment Center
- $15,000.00 to Literacy Volunteers of Central CT to fund adult and family literacy programs
- $15,000.00 to New Britian ROOTS to fund the New Britain Mobile Farm Stand
- $15,000.00 to New Life II to fund the Unshakable Man and Re-entry Welcome Center
- $15,000.00 to Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters to fund the Community Based Mentoring Program
- $15,000.00 to Prudence Crandall Center to fund the Emergency Shelter Program
- $15,000.00 to Senior Transportation Services for general operating support
- $15,000.00 to YWCA New Britain to fund the STRIVE Youth Development Program
Total CCNBB Grants Approved: $212,500
Community Sponsorship Awards From the A. W. Stanley Discretionary Fund
The Community Foundation believes in the importance of community events and supports those that help make our communities better places to work, live and raise a family.
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- Alzheimer’s Association of CT to support the Annual Walk
- Arc of Southington to support the New Way Annual Variety Show
- Best Buddies of Connecticut to support their Annual Friendship Walk
- Bread for Life for the Southington Community Food Insecurity Education Program
- Charter Oak State College 50th Anniversary Celebration
- City of New Britain Commission on Disabilities to support the Annual Walk n Roll
- CT Breast Health Initiative to support Race in the Park
- CT Data Collaborative for the Bridge the Data Gap – 2023 CT Data Conference
- DAV Chapter 8 for their Wreaths Across America activities
- Down Syndrome Association of CT for the Annual Walk and Block Party
- Friendship Service Center for the Mini Golf Tournament Fundraiser
- Futures/Good Cause Gifts for the Annual Fashion Show
- Greater New Britain Chamber of Commerce for the Annual Golf Tournament
- Greater New Britain Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Inc for the Annual Walk-a-thon
- Hospital of Central Connecticut Auxiliary for the Annual Golf Tournament
- Hoops for Homeless for the Annual Hoops for Homeless Tournament
- Hospital for Special Care for the Manes in Motion Night at the Derby event
- Lion’s Club of New Britain for the Howard Wry Golf Tournament
- Literacy Volunteers of Central Connecticut for the Love of Literacy event
- Meriden-NB-Berlin YMCA & New Britain Berlin Rotary for their Annual Golf Tournament
- New Britain ROOTS to support the Annual Garden Crawl
- New Britain Baseball, Inc for the 2023 Season
- New Britain High School PTO for the All Night Graduation Party
- New Britain Little League for the 2023 Little League Season
- New Britain Public Library for their Library Libations event
- New Britain Youth Theater to support their Drag Queen Bingo fundraiser
- OIC New Britain to support their Annual Gala
- PARC to support the annual Walk-a-thon
- Scoops for Troops to support the Golf Tournament
- Southington Chamber of Commerce for their 2023 events
- Southington High School to support All Knight Graduation
- Southington Italian American Festival
- Southington North Little League to support the 2023 Season
- Southington-Cheshire YMCAs to support the Apple Harvest Road Race
- Spencer’s Hero Academia to support the Annual Golf Tournament
- Trinity on Main to support the Tuba Christmas Event
- Town of Southington to support the Apple Harvest Festival
- United Way of Southington to support Cocktail Competition
- Village of Plantsville to support Halloween in the Village
- Warm the Children New Britain
- Welcome to My World Autism to support 2nd Annual Autism Awareness Walk
- YMCA New Britain to support the Endless Summer Event honoring Dave and Linda Obedzinski
- YWCA New Britain to support the 30th Annual Gala and Auction
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Related Sponsorships
- Berlin Equity Action Team to support the Juneteenth Celebration
- New Britain Museum of American Art to support the Juneteenth Celebration
- QPlus to support the Sweet Treat Gala