Catalyst Giving Circle Focused on Community Gardens

New Britain, Conn., July 12, 2021 – The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain is inviting applications for a grant of up to $12,500 to be awarded in November 2021 by the Catalyst Giving Circle. The area of focus for applications is community gardens as a means of strengthening communities and residents in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville, and Southington.
Community gardens bring people together and provide a way to obtain healthy produce and decrease food insecurity. They promote recycling, reduce pollution, and provide intergenerational opportunities for volunteering, recreation, and vocational training and wellness. Community gardens engage residents and build greener, stronger, healthier, and more beautiful neighborhoods. They educate people about gardening, nature and cooking. As the topic for the 2021 program, Catalyst will entertain proposals for both new and existing programs that focus on community gardens as a means to address one or more of the following areas:

• Increasing access to fresh and affordable food for those living with food insecurity;
• Family-based wellness to contribute to the mental and physical health and well-being of individuals and families;
• Therapeutic gardening opportunities, especially for those populations that face barriers to gardening;
• Education and teaching skills around farming and nutrition;
• School garden projects or programs;
• Additional community garden efforts that make neighborhoods and communities greener, stronger, healthier and more beautiful.

Organizations that can offer these services in the towns served by the CFGNB are invited to respond to the Foundation’s Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2021 Catalyst Giving Circle grant. The RFP is available on the Community Foundation’s website at www.cfgnb.org/requests-for-proposal. Proposals are due August 16 and must be sent via email to jwruck@cfgnb.org. For information on becoming a member of Catalyst, contact Joeline Wruck at 860-229-6018 ext. 307 or jwruck@cfgnb.org.

The Catalyst Fund is a giving circle of community donors interested in helping to improve the quality of life in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. Anyone can become a member and members meet three times a year to enjoy a light meal and learn about a member-chosen issue facing their community. Members consider funding requests from charitable organizations addressing that issue and choose a grant recipient to receive up to $12,500. First time “Discovery” members are able to join with a gift of $50 for their first year of membership; this membership increases to $250 following the first year. A “Business” membership, one that is sponsored by an employer, is $250 and offers local businesses the opportunity to engage their employees in local philanthropy.

Established in 1941, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain is “Where Good Begins” in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. Located at The Foundation Center at 74A Vine Street, New Britain, the Foundation works to inspire philanthropy, responsibly manage permanent charitable assets, and partner to address key community issues through strategic leadership. For more information, visit www.cfgnb.org.