Foundation Now Accepting Applications for Early Childhood Initiative Grants

New Britain, Conn. April 28, 2022 – The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain (CFGNB) is now accepting applications for grants from its First Years First (FYF) Initiative.

Established in 2005, First Years First focuses on the early years of life, which are a time of extraordinary intellectual, social, and emotional growth. The experiences children have during the early years of their life have the power to shape their health and well-being for years to come. Research shows that high quality early childhood programs that encourage linguistic, cognitive, and social-emotional development have a significant impact on children’s future education, health, and employment outcomes. For all of these reasons and more, the Initiative is a CFGNB priority.

Since it began, grants totaling over $2.5 million have supported several early childhood programs including family resource centers in New Britain, Plainville, and Southington, the Central Connecticut Family Literacy Center, the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance, the Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington and the New Britain Coalition for Children and Youth.

With a focus on children birth through preschool, the three strategies of FYF are as follows:

Strengthen Social Emotional Learning (SEL) among young children to support school readiness and success. Provide SEL training and/or enrichment activities to support parents/caregivers, teachers and other adults that work with young children.

Strengthen Parents and Caregivers skills: 1) increase knowledge of child/brain development and the lasting impact of high quality early childhood education, 2) support deepening relationships between caregivers and young children that increase Social Emotional Learning and incorporates it within the family, 3) external activities or enrichment such as workshops, seminars or other caregiver training.

Skill Development in early math, writing, and literacy for families with young children.

“A focus on early childhood is critically important to provide the building blocks for future success among young children and their families. The CFGNB will continue to support such efforts and is interested in proposals serving children and families in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington that fit at least one of the three strategies,” said Joeline Wruck, Director of Community Initiatives & Program Services.

Grant applications that will be considered by the CFGNB in September need to be received no later than July 15, 2022. If you are interested in applying for a grant from the First Years First Initiative, or have any questions, the first step is to contact Joeline Wruck, Director of Community Initiatives & Program Services to discuss your project or program at 860-229-6019 ex. 307 or jwruck@cfgnb.org.

Established in 1941, the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain is “Where Good Begins” in Berlin, New Britain, Plainville and Southington and is your destination for establishing a scholarship or charitable fund in your community. The Foundation works to inspire philanthropy, responsibly manage permanent charitable assets, and partner to address key community issues through strategic leadership.