$10,000 Grant Available to Local Non-Profit Programs Addressing Youth & Family Homelessness

Deadline for Community Foundation Catalyst Grant is August 15

New Britain, Conn., July 11, 2016 – A $10,000 grant is being offered by the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain through its Catalyst Fund to non-profit organizations serving Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington which offer or propose to develop innovative solutions to the challenges of youth and family homelessness.

The deadline for applications is August 15.

“We are seeking proposals which offer solutions that minimize, relieve or prevent homelessness among young families with children and/or unaccompanied young people,” said Community Foundation Director of Community Initiatives Joeline Wruck. “Our focus for this proposal is on youth and young families in the 14-24 year-old range.”

Proposals must accomplish one or more of the following:

• Help those affected move from unstable living solutions into permanent housing;
• Target new strategies for identifying and engaging unstably housed youth and young adults in schools and communities;
• Help identify and engage unaccompanied youth or young people facing homelessness and offer them assistance, connect them to services or prevent them from becoming homeless;
• Create stronger safety nets for those falling through the cracks;
• Strengthen collaborations and systems (new or existing) to help people in need more quickly and efficiently;
• Collaboratively use existing community resources in creative ways;
• Retool the current shelter system in order to provide developmentally appropriate space and services to youth and young adults and to become a more efficient and effective pipeline into safe and stable housing.

To be considered for funding, a two- to three-page proposal must be submitted via e-mail by the August 15 deadline. Proposals should be sent to Joeline Wruck at jwruck@cfgnb.org. Questions should be directed to Joeline via e-mail or by calling 860-229-6018, ext. 307. A complete, downloadable copy of the Request for Proposal is available at www.cfgnb.org/leading/catalyst-fund/.

The Catalyst Fund is a group of local citizens interested in improving the quality of life in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington. Members make a modest $250 investment per couple or individual each year. Three times per year, members gather to learn about a member-chosen issue facing their community, and to consider funding requests from charitable organizations addressing this issue. The year concludes with a collective vote to award a $10,000 grant to a chosen grantee.

In its 13 years of existence, Catalyst Fund members have awarded more than $130,000 to a variety of programs meeting important needs and addressing difficult challenges in the community.

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