Apply For a Grant

2018 Grant Making Process

Please note that the Branford Community Foundation completely revised its grant making policies and procedures, effective January 15, 2018. Details below.

The mission of the Branford Community Foundation is to connect people who care with causes that matter, for the purpose of preserving and promoting the quality of life in Branford, Connecticut, now and for generations to come.

We fulfill our mission by building and maintaining a charitable endowment and making prudent grants that serve to address the ever-changing needs of the Branford community. Through the gracious giving of donors who are committed to our mission, we fund worthy programs that promote the quality of life in Branford.

COMPETITIVE GRANTS

Timetable for Competitive Grants
The 2018 Application will be available as of January 15, 2018. The Branford Community Foundation will accept competitive grant applications between February 15, 2018 and March 15, 2018.

Potential applicants are encouraged to attend one of two identical information sessions, to be held at the Branford Fire Department Headquarters (45 N. Main Street) on Monday, January 22, 2018 at 2pm and Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at 9am. RSPV to Jennifer Mullett, Foundation Coordinator, at jmullett @ branfordcommunityfoundation.org.

Organizations unable to attend either meeting are encouraged to contact Liza Janssen Petra by email at lpetra @ branfordcommunityfoundation.org or by phone (203) 444-4898 with questions about the grant guidelines or application process prior to submitting a grant.

Completed applications should be submitted by email to jmullett @ branfordcommunityfoundation.org with backup sent to Branford Community Foundation at PO Box 462, Branford CT, 06405.

Grant Review Process
The Community Investment Committee (CIC) of the Branford Community Foundation is charged with reviewing the applications and making recommendations for funding to the Board of Directors. CIC may request to meet with applicants in person during the grant review process.

Grant award decisions will be announced the week of May 7, 2018.

Important Information

• Grants are awarded to 501(c)3 not-for-profit organizations and 170(c)(1) governmental agencies serving the Branford community.
• Grants will be awarded to organizations that positively impact Branford within the focus areas identified below.
• Grant awards cannot be used retroactively to pay costs for programs or services that have occurred in the past.
• Applications from previous grantees are welcome; continued funding will be considered by CIC, but is not guaranteed.

What the Branford Community Foundation Funds

The Branford Community Foundation uses information in the 2017 Branford Community Report to help discern areas of greatest need in the community and prioritize grant awards.

The Branford Community Foundation looks to fund organizations and projects that strengthen and improve Branford in the following focus areas:

• Basic Needs (food, emergency financial assistance, fuel and heat support, shelter)
• Health (mental health services, senior services, social services, health education, substance abuse prevention)
• Education (literacy, job training, collegiate scholarships)
• Arts (music, dance, theatre, visual, community performances)
• Environment (public spaces and land, recycling, animal and wildlife support)
• Youth (access to summer camps, children in need, early childhood education)
• Civic engagement (historical preservation, volunteerism, community events and enhancements)

The Branford Community Foundation holds several “field of interest” funds, including funds dedicated to basic needs, animals, environment, cultural arts, and music. During the application review process, the Board works to match applications with corresponding fields of interest funds.

The Branford Community Foundation seeks grants that enhance the quality of life in Branford. Grant applications should address a need within the focus area and demonstrate impact on the organization, project, community, or persons served.

Applications should include some of the following elements:

• Address a documented need or concern of the focus area;
• Recognize and build on a community’s or organization’s strengths and assets;
• Build the capacity of community organizations and/or individuals to help themselves;
• Foster cooperative approaches to community issues through collaborations based on shared visions and mutual responsibility;
• Serve as a catalyst for attracting other resources, such as matching gifts; and
• Build infrastructure within the organization in order to meet its mission.

BCF will not award grants to:

• Endowments
• Debt reduction
• Lobbying
• Individuals
• Political organizations and campaigns

Your Responsibilities if you are awarded a grant:

The Branford Community Foundation expects to be recognized in all related press releases and publicity.

The Branford Foundation requires from all grantees a follow-up report by September 17, 2018, including the following:

• Financial disclosures of how the grant money was spent, or an explanation of why funds have not yet been spent.
• Progress made in relation to the originally stated objectives.
• Samples of grant publicity that recognizes the Branford Community Foundation.
• A story that describes how the grant impacted your organization and/or the people it serves.

If funds are not fully spent or the project not completed by September, a final report shall be submitted by February 1, 2019, to update the Branford Community Foundation on additional progress and grant spending.

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ADDITIONAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Emerging Needs Grants
The Branford Community Foundation understands that projects and emergencies arise that cannot be accommodated by an annual competitive grant cycle. The Branford Community Foundation will accept applications in this category on a rolling basis. Applications must fall into one or more of the following categories:

• Concept is innovative and/or new to the Branford community.
• Organization cannot operate or move forward on a major initiative without emergency funding (ex. Unexpected building repairs).
• Concept is created/need arises after March 15, 2018, and required completion timeline is prior to April 30th, 2019.

Sponsorship requests should be addressed separately to Jennifer Mullett, Foundation Coordinator, at jmullett @ branfordcommunityfoundation.org. Sponsorship requests are reviewed by the Development Committee on a rolling basis, as funding permits.

Scholarship requests are reviewed and recommended by the Branford High School Guidance office. Questions may be addressed to (203) 315-6730.

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• Click here to download an Application Form (PDF).

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