Celebrating Bold Ideas: Reaching New Community Partners

Both nationwide and across the state, the past year and a half has been marked by both COVID-19 and a rising movement for racial equity and justice. Both have inspired change and innovation in philanthropy. Although no single sector can advance and sustain systematic change on its own, we can enhance it, especially when these complex programs require multiple stakeholders working toward a common goal.

Today, we’re highlighting the impactful work that has been happening in the sector over the last eighteen months to reach new community partners.  


Reaching New Community Partners – Story #1

Connecticut Health Foundation – Pitch Day

About Connecticut Health Foundation

An independent, private foundation, the Connecticut Health Foundation focuses on improving health outcomes for people of color and assuring that all Connecticut residents have access to affordable and high-quality care.

Their Story

This year, we began a new type of grant application process, aimed at getting to know new community-based organizations. Our President and CEO, Tiffany Donelson, first heard about this approach at a conference several years ago.

The concept includes hosting a "pitch day" to hear from potential grantees in person — an alternative to our typical and sometimes-daunting application process, which requires a written concept paper or application as the first step. We launched an RFP for grassroots advocacy organizations led by people of color, with grants available to support capacity-building work. Organizations were able to fill out a short Google Form and then sign up for a slot to meet with our team during one of our pitch days.

We aimed to have the meetings be conversational, an opportunity to form relationships and learn about each other, rather than to grill applicants about their proposals. To avoid having organizations compete for limited funds, we assured we had the funding for every organization that met the requirements.

The Impact

The results were inspiring and energizing for everyone on the CT Health team who participated. In all, we held four pitch days and met with 13 organizations. We heard from people doing important work in their communities, addressing needs residents identify and pushing for policy change. The format allowed us to host an open-door event virtually. As one advocate told us, those doing important work in their communities don't always have the staff or the time to fill out lengthy written applications.

This initiative helped us to form new partnerships with grassroots advocacy organizations led by people of color. We hope these will turn into lasting relationships, and we hope to continue this process in the future.

Read more about CT Health here: www.cthealth.org  


Reaching New Community Partners – Story #2

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven – REACH Grants

About The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven

One of the oldest and largest community foundations in the United States, CFGNH works to inspire, support, inform, listen to and collaborate with the people and organizations of Greater New Haven to build an ever more connected, inclusive, equitable and philanthropic community.

Their Story

We launched a new pilot grant program aimed at promoting community healing and racial justice. The Racial Equity and Creative Healing (REACH) through the Arts grants are supporting artists and organizations with projects that are underway or will take place over the next one to two years across Greater New Haven.

It was clear from the first meeting that what our panel saw as the need in the community was to fund individual artists, not necessarily organizations. So, we quickly pivoted and in a partnership with the Art Council of Greater New Haven, provided for fiscal sponsorship so that individuals and artists collectives could be welcomed into the process. The panel also changed our formal "application" and made it much more accessible.

The Impact

We have funded 17 projects to date, with two-year commitments to most of the projects. All of the projects are led by people of color. The focus is on providing opportunities to Black, Brown and other marginalized artists; creating community and bringing people together; providing space for people to express and heal from the traumas of racism, the pandemic and oppression.

Read more about this project here: https://www.cfgnh.org/articles/racial-equity-and-creative-healing-grants-awarded-to-greater-new-haven-artists-projects-and-programs


Reaching New Community Partners – Story #3

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving – Faith-Based Partners 

About Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding towns. Through partnerships, the Foundation seeks to strengthen communities in Greater Hartford by putting philanthropy in action to dismantle structural racism and achieve equity in social and economic mobility.

Their Story

In March 2021, we issued a call for proposals from faith-based organizations assisting residents disproportionately affected by COVID-19, addressing needs of congregants and the broader community impacted by racial/ethnic, geographic, economic disparities, or advancing community engagement focused on social and racial justice.

For many years, The Hartford Foundation had a policy of not awarding grants to faith-based organizations. But seeing the important role that churches and other communities of faith were playing in the early days of responding to COVID, and after hosting two separate listening sessions with these groups (in August and October 2020), we updated our policy. Religious communities have been, and will remain, “essential partners” in responding to people’s needs during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Impact

$300,000 in grants was awarded to 33 organizations for programs ranging from emergency meals, clothing and housing to wellness programs, civic engagement programming, summer camp, and more. These groups play a fundamental role in supporting residents, providing inspirational support, and nurturing the overall well-being of the people we both serve.

Read more about this project here: https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-news-ct-hartford-foundation-faith-grants-20210617-gtkvq65fnrcx3e3enmcf3jgmwa-story.html