Foundation Awards Mini Grants to Local Nonprofits

November 4, 2020 (New Britain, Conn.) – The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on operations and programming for non-profit organizations has been significant. The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain (CFGNB) and the Farmington Bank Community Foundation (FBCF) recently partnered to provide mini grants of up to $2,000 to help organizations make modifications, purchases, changes, or improvements that support operations or program delivery during the pandemic.

“COVID has impacted our nonprofit community in so many ways, from the way they serve their constituents to how their physical space is configured. Small grants like these can assist organizations navigate the ‘new normal’,” said Chris Traczyk, Executive Director of Farmington Bank Community Foundation.

In total, 21 mini grants were made to nonprofit organizations that provide a significant amount of services in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville or Southington. Grantees include the following:

• Art League of New Britain ($1,398) to purchase an Air Scrubber to maintain healthy air quality for indoor programming
• Boy and Girls Club of New Britain, Inc. ($2,000) to purchase PPE and supplies to maintain a safe and sanitary environment
• Bread for Life ($2,000) to purchase picnic tables for safe outdoor seating and dining for guests

“One of our clients uses a wheelchair and hasn’t gotten out of the car to get her meals since the pandemic started. Her boyfriend drives her and picks the meal up for her while she stays in the car – it’s just too challenging for her to maneuver. However, today with the picnic benches, she got out of the car and was able to enjoy a nice lunch with some friends. These tables have made such an impact already!” said Donna Ayer, Executive Director of Bread for Life.

• CCARC, Inc. ($1,925) to purchase equipment/technology supplies needed for staff and 30-35 additional individuals to participate in CCARC’s Day Services in a safe and socially distant manner
• Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington ($2,000) for technology projects that will facilitate operations and communications
• Giving Back Food Pantry ($1,290) to purchase equipment to transition food distribution and programs to an outdoor drive-thru model
• House of Heroes, CT Chapter ($600) to purchase a printer needed to facilitate programming and services for veterans
• Literacy Volunteers of Central CT, Inc. ($1,500) to purchase the digital version of “Easy English News” for us of students and tutors
• Main Street Children’s Choir ($2,000) to support costs associated with the transition to online learning
• New Britain Industrial Museum ($2,000) to support the creation of a safe and socially distant exhibit to continue programming
• New Britain Public Library ($909) to purchase Zoom licenses, webcams, and the Canva graphic design platform to improve programming and marketing capabilities
• New Britain Youth Museum at Hungerford Park ($1,000) to purchase a laptop and a Zoom subscription to facilitate remote staff meetings, fundraisers, and the presentation of virtual education programming for school aged children
• Opportunities Industrialization Center of New Britain, Inc. ($2,000) to support a website re-design to improve outreach to target audiences and for better marketing and fundraising
• ParaDYM Academy ($2,000) for technology and PPE specific to media production to facilitate after school programming
• Prudence Crandall Center, Inc. ($1,750) to purchase laptops needed to allow staff to return safely to work on site
• Queen Ann Nzinga Center for Cultural Education & Social Change ($1,200) for social media assistance to produce a video for fundraising and marketing
• Siena Learning Center ($1,000) for equipment needed to provide training workshops for tutors to help them shift to online learning
• Sudanese American House in CT Corp. ($1,950) for two laptops and a Zoom account to facilitate online meetings, programming, and communication with clients
• New Britain Museum of American Art ($2,000) to purchase laptops and tablets for use by the Education Department to facilitate online programming and remote work
• Girls With Voices ($1,500) to create a website to support programming and other social marketing opportunities
• Southington Community Services ($2,000) for the production of two videos that will increase awareness of their services and promote and market the pantry

Farmington Bank Community Foundation is an independent private foundation dedicated to addressing the diverse needs and economic viability of communities. A legacy of Farmington Bank, the foundation will continue the banks 167-year history of supporting local nonprofit organizations that impact the quality of life of residents in Hartford County. Our strength comes from empowering others. For more information visit www.FBCFCT.org

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 effectively, and partner to address key community issues through strategic leadership. For more information, visit www.cfgnb.org.