CFMC Grants Process Timeline

To stay up to date on the announcements regarding funding application opportunities, please sign up for our enews here or contact Mary Dutton at Programs@MiddlesexCountyCF.org.

What the Community Foundation funds

The Community Foundation is particularly looking for grants that add value to, and have a positive impact on, the health and vitality of the Middlesex County community. Grant applications should address a need within the interest areas and demonstrate impact on the organization, project, community or persons served.

CFMC supports imagination and expression through the creative arts

The Community Foundation seeks applications for projects that possess 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 programs that help 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 funding resources, such as matching gifts; and
• Build infrastructure within the organization in order to meet its mission.

Normally, the Foundation will not award grants to:

• Organizations that, in their constitution, bylaws or practice, discriminate against a person or group on the basis of age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation or identification, political affiliation, or religious belief;
• Programs or materials that would normally be included in the regular operating budget for schools;
• Municipal/government agencies for programs or materials that would normally be part of their regular operating budget;
• Fund debt reduction or debt retirement;
• Capital Improvement Projects and Building Programs;
• Endowments, reserve funds, capital campaigns, or annual fund drives;
• Fundraising event sponsorships or creation of fundraising event collateral materials;
• Religious or political purposes;
• For the purpose of re-granting;
• Activities, projects, or programs that will be completed before funding becomes available (in general, no retroactive funding);
• Staff positions for which long-term funding has not been established or planned; or
• Individuals.

Areas of Need / Impact

Areas of Need/Impact have been established by donors and the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors. Grants are available across the various areas which include:

Areas of Need / Impact

• Community Enrichment (Arts / Culture / History)
• Community Health (Health / Medical / Hospital Care)
• Economic Security / Economic Opportunity
• Economic Development
• Education (Community Wide / Schools)
• Environment/Animal Welfare and Protection
• Public / Social Benefit (Civic Improvement/Social Service)
• Recreation

Fields of Interest

• Animal / Human Resources & Welfare: Grants to this focus area provide for the needs (food, health and shelter), services (training, rescue and adoption) and educational programs provided by organizations dedicated to helping animals and their human friends.
• At-Risk Boys and Young Men: Established in 2013, the At-Risk Boys Fund’s mission is to provide grants for programs that help young men and boys reach their full potential. The Foundation’s At-Risk Boys Fund Grants Committee is interested in programs which focus on prevention, education, self-respect and self-confidence, skill development, and enhance positive work and life experiences.
• Killingworth Community Fund provides support to organizations and programs serving the residents of Killingworth.
• Mary Janvrin and Natalie Janvrin Wiggins Fund for Birds, Other Animals and Nature is interested in programs and projects that preserve, protect, and steward land, waterways, and wildlife habitats for the benefit of the county’s ecosystem, the habitats for birds and other wildlife, and the well-being and enjoyment of our residents. Grants are not restricted to solely “traditional environmental organizations” and projects. The Fund Committee is interested in creative, out-of-the-box approaches to programs and services as well as collaborations that meet the eligibility criteria.
• River Valley Fund for Families benefits children and families in the Connecticut River Valley and Shoreline areas facing challenges that impact their daily lives and future. Grants will support nonprofit organizations in the areas of health services, educational services, and social services.
• Seniors and Veterans: The St. Luke’s Home Fund was established to carry on the mission of the St. Luke’s Home organization. The Fund is interested in supporting a broad array of services and programs for veterans and older adults.
• Women and Girls: The Sari A. Rosenbaum Fund for Women and Girls seeks proposals that empower women and girls to be self reliant and to reach their potential. Programs should be models in providing meaningful opportunities and services to women and girls as well as ensuring women and girls have access to the basic essentials for a better life.