WATERBURY—Connecticut Community Foundation recently awarded $462,573 in grants to more than 50 nonprofit organizations serving residents of Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills. The funds will bring vital programs and services to people throughout the Foundation’s 21-town service area. 

“We are privileged to support the work of so many local organizations who are committed to expanding opportunity across our community, breaking down barriers to good health, enhancing the quality of life for older adults, building their own internal strength and capacity, and so much more,” Julie Loughran, president, and CEO, stated.  “Their efforts are moving us closer to our vision of an equitable, inclusive, just, and thriving community in Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills. We are grateful to these organizations for their work and to the many donors whose gifts over the past 100 years have enabled us to back this important work.”

Awards included:

  • $125,603 to 15 nonprofit organizations working to build equitable opportunities for local residents. Grants in this area support efforts to address deep educational and economic disparities.
  • $128,836 to 12 organizations working to improve outcomes in health and environmental justice. The Foundation recognizes that a person’s health is influenced by where they are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age. Improving health outcomes requires an approach that supports a whole person within their community.

  • $100,000 to 10 organizations working to improve the quality of life for older people. These initiatives help people in our region age successfully and remain healthy, informed, and engaged.

  • $57,450 to 6 organizations that seek to build additional capacity in order to effectively meet their goals. Nonprofit capacity-building grants can include support for strategic planning, financial management, technology, fund development, and communications. Investment in building stronger non-profits creates a more sustainable operational infrastructure, builds efficiencies, improves program delivery, and increases overall impact.

  • $38,585 in grants to 6 organizations to support efforts benefiting residents of Southbury through the Southbury Community Trust Fund.

  • $12,099 in grants to 2 organizations to support efforts by engaged Waterbury residents, community organizers, and civic groups that are working to develop local grassroots leadership and stronger neighborhoods.

Grants are made possible by the extraordinary generosity of donors who have established more than 600 charitable funds at the foundation to benefit residents of Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills.

One of many organizations awarded grants, Center for Human Development’s (CHD) Waterbury Hospitality Center received $15,000 to provide Narcan treatment for homeless people with substance use disorder as well as supportive services such as case management, referrals to local job search agencies, access to internet and mail facilities, showers, laundry, and community building opportunities.

CHD’s Waterbury Hospitality Center is a safe haven for homeless families and individuals that offers resources that help people take care of their physical, mental, and social needs in order to end the cycle of poverty.

“The grant will help the Hospitality Center address a significant issue that many of the clients at the Center face: opioid use,” said Paul Tang, CHD program director of Adult Mental Health-Connecticut. “This is a significant barrier to recovery and attempting to find a job and finding stable housing. We plan to use the funds to purchase Narcan and also to provide education and training to our clients and staff. By pairing the supplies with the education, we are hopeful that we can make a bigger impact on those struggling with opioid use.”

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View all the recent grants awarded by the Foundation at: http://www.conncf.org/grants-awarded

Established in 1923, Connecticut Community Foundation fosters an equitable and inclusive community in Greater Waterbury and the Litchfield Hills by inspiring generosity, supporting organizations, and cultivating effective leaders. The Foundation provides leadership in addressing the region’s critical issues, strengthens local nonprofit organizations through grants and technical assistance programs, and works with individuals, families, and corporations to establish and steward scholarships and charitable funds. Learn more at www.conncf.org.