Investing in solutions that advance equity
Competitive grants from the Community Foundation prioritize efforts that center on equity, and aim to change the systems and structures that are at the root of inequities in Fairfield County. Learn more about the areas that we fund under our strategic plan.
The Community Foundation prioritizes funding for requests that:
- Strongly align with our Result Areas and corresponding strategies.
- Primarily serve Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC), women & girls, and/or other historically marginalized populations: and
- Demonstrate the potential to make meaningful and measurable changes in our community by centering equity and changing the systems and structures at the root of inequities.
Multiple types of grants are available to Fairfield County nonprofits. Criteria and due dates vary by type of grant.
Program support grants
Program Support funds specific programs and services that are results oriented and can be measured and evaluated. Reporting for program support requests will focus on the impact of the program on those being served. This funding opportunity is available during our Spring and Fall Cycles.
Capacity building support grants
Organizational Capacity Building funding prioritizes high-impact and/or high-potential Fairfield County nonprofits previously funded by the Foundation. This type of grant supports specific projects that will strengthen the organization’s capacity to achieve its goals and sustainability. Reporting for capacity building grants will focus on the impact of that project on the organization and its internal customers (staff, board, etc.). This funding opportunity is available during our Spring and Fall Cycles.
Examples of capacity building requests include strategic planning support, performance measurement, executive transition planning, financial assessment and scenario planning, technology improvements, staff and board development.
General operating support grants
General operating support grants seek to support highly effective organizations that are critical to the achievement of one or more of our key result areas and have a proven track record. Reporting will focus on the organization’s overall impact and effectiveness. Organizations based in Fairfield County and previously funded by the Foundation will receive priority. This funding opportunity is available during our Spring and Fall Cycles.
The Fund for Women & Girls small grants
FWG Small Grants of less than $5,000 are specifically designed for initiatives that prioritize women, girls, and non-binary people made vulnerable by systemic racial inequities and meet their unique intersecting needs. Small grants increase access to funding for organizations that may not meet the requirements of our rigorous strategic grant process and strengthen the capacity of smaller, developing organizations by providing funding for programs, capacity building projects, and events that are educational in nature. Small grants are open year-round as long as funds last and are processed quicker than our traditional grants.
For more information about the small grants including the application/review process and additional eligibility criteria click here.
