$337,923 in New Grants from Connecticut Community Foundation Include Funds to Combat Hunger, the Effects of COVID, Homelessness and Environmental Contamination

WATERBURY—Connecticut Community Foundation recently awarded $337,923 in grants to over 25 nonprofit organizations serving residents of Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills. The funds will bring vital programs and services to people in need in 2021.  

Julie Loughran, president and CEO, stated, “At a time when so much has been disrupted and needs are so great, these grantees are on the ground throughout Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills, providing local residents food, shelter, health care, education supports, and so much more. We are proud to support their work, and grateful to the local donors whose generosity made these grants possible.” 

Recent grants include:

  • Grants totaling $61,360 to eight nonprofit organizations that work in youth mentoring and early childhood care and education, including support for early childhood providers as they grapple with the economic impact of COVID.
  • $100,000 to 13 organizations working to meet the basic needs of local residents. Among the awards are granted to reinforce the structure of an emergency food pantry, help people experiencing homelessness find a path to stability and support literacy education opportunities for adults.
  • $75,025 in grants to 11 organizations for environmental efforts that range from providing training, mentoring, and internships in forestry to eight public high school students, to cleaning up and restoring contaminated properties.
  • $30,890 in grants to benefit residents of Southbury through the Southbury Community Trust Fund. Projects funded include providing fresh and nutritious meals to senior centers, assisting schools with the purchase of school supplies, and supplying quilting materials to make quilts for cancer patients.
  • $70,648 in grants to six nonprofits that improve quality of life for older people.

One of the many grants awarded will go towards supporting the CHD (Center for Human Development) Hospitality Center in Waterbury. This organization helps provide a safe haven for homeless families and individuals. The center also offers information about programs designed to move people out of homelessness and toward independence.

Belinda Arce-Lopez, Program Director of CHD Hospitality Center in Waterbury, CT says, “We are incredibly grateful to the Connecticut Community Foundation for investing in the work we do to help people experiencing homelessness in the greater Waterbury region.  This award will do so much to strengthen the resources we have to help those in vulnerable circumstances confront barriers and work towards achieving a healthy, balanced life.  We believe positive change starts by meeting the most basic needs first: a hot shower, clean clothes and a warm, welcoming environment.  Funding from this grant will directly impact the lives of over 800 individuals who seek help and support at the Center each year.”

Grants are made possible by the generosity of donors who have established more than 500 charitable funds at the Foundation to benefit residents of Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills.

View all the grants awarded by the Foundation in the December 2020 grant round at www.conncf.org/grants-awarded.

Established in 1923, Connecticut Community Foundation aims to foster an equitable and inclusive community in Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills by inspiring generosity, supporting organizations, and cultivating effective leaders. While serving this region, the Foundation works to address the community’s critical issues, funds programs benefiting local residents, supports efforts to improve systems to foster more equitable outcomes for residents, strengthens local organizations through learning and outreach, and works with individuals, families and corporations to steward charitable and scholarship funds.  Learn more at www.conncf.org.