Grassroots Leadership
At a workshop hosted by Connecticut Community Foundation’s grassroots grants program, attendees learned tools and tactics for working together to advocate for community change.
At the heart of every strong community are individuals who are passionate about making a difference right where they live. Our grassroots grant program is designed to empower residents by offering funding to community leaders for projects that strengthen Waterbury and its neighborhoods.
Our approach focuses on
- Local Efforts -Supporting equitable efforts to revitalize communities, influence local systems and foster leadership within the City of Waterbury.
- Collaboration – Supporting a robust and collaborative network of multi-generational residents in Waterbury who are working together toward a shared vision.
- Providing Resources – Expanding the availability of tools and resources for community members.
- Grassroots Groups – Prioritizing smaller, resident-led groups working to impact Waterbury with budgets under $100,000.
Efforts we support include
- Helping people register to vote and other projects designed to increase civic engagement. Projects must be non-partisan.
- Community organizing and leadership training for Waterbury residents.
- Programming aimed at youth development and youth leadership, including young adults (18-24).
- Projects and events that bring people together and help to build community.
Possible project examples
- Voter registration drive
- Series of workshops or trainings
- Food, materials, and resource distribution
- Community Garden
- Public art project
Our Process
- Grants are reviewed on a quarterly basis by a committee of community residents.
- Our average grant size is $5,000 – $7,000.
- Prioritizes on-going work, rather than one-off events.
- Values collaboration and bringing in community partners, rather than working alone.
Grassroots Leaders grant proposals are accepted on a rolling basis but are only reviewed in odd-numbered months. See Previous Grassroots Leaders Grantees Download the informational flyer in English and Spanish
