The Manchester Greater Together Community Fund is pleased to announce a competitive grant opportunity for one or more nonprofits proposing projects to benefit the residents of Manchester. All interested applicants must complete the application and budget template available at www.hfpg.org/manchestercf .  Applications are due by 11:59 P.M. on December 16, 2024. 

I. Background 

In 2019, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving established $100,000 Greater Together Community Funds for each of the 29 towns in the Foundation’s region, which includes the town of Manchester. The purpose of the community funds is to support residents in taking ownership around the needs in their towns, encourage broad and inclusive civic engagement and anchor the Hartford Foundation in each town. In 2021, the Foundation provided an additional $50,000 to each of the 29 community funds to support their grantmaking.  In December 2023, the Foundation provided another $20,000 to each of the 29 community funds to support their grantmaking. 

In 2020, Manchester’s Community Fund Advisory Committee was selected. The committee made its first grant awards in 2022, supporting eight local organizations serving Manchester residents with grants ranging from $365 to $5,000. In the fall of 2023, the committee made its second round of grant awards, supporting seven local organizations serving Manchester residents with grants ranging from $365 to $5,000.

II. Eligibility 

Any nonprofit registered as a 501(c)(3) organization that serves the residents of Manchester is eligible to apply. Groups of town residents may prepare an application in partnership with a registered nonprofit that has agreed to serve as a fiscal agent for the proposed project. Nonprofits do not need to be based in Manchester. The Town 

of Manchester may also serve as a fiscal agent for applicants. If a group of town residents has an idea for a project and needs help identifying a fiscal sponsor, please email the Advisory Committee at  [email protected] .

Individuals and for-profit businesses are not eligible to apply. Civic organizations that do not have a 501(c)(3) IRS designation are not eligible to apply. 

III. Proposal Requirements 

A grant from the Manchester Greater Together Community Fund must benefit residents of Manchester. Project proposals must demonstrate the opportunity for all town residents to benefit without discrimination based on race, religion, or any other protected class. Projects do not necessarily need to benefit every town resident if the proposal can demonstrate why it addresses a need for a portion of the town’s population and does not discriminate among residents who share that need. 

In the application, applicants will be asked to: 

● Describe why this project is needed 

● Describe the expected benefit, both who will benefit and for how long 

● Describe why the applicant is well suited to implement this project 

● Explain what the project will cost [A budget template is provided]

IV. Criteria for Consideration 

Applications will be evaluated by the Advisory Committee. Selection criteria include:

● Special consideration will be given to projects that address one or more of the following priority areas: youth, basic needs, food insecurity, mental health and/or health promotion, technology & accessibility, arts & humanities, diversity & equity 

● The number of town residents to be impacted by the project 

● The sustainability of the project (for how long will the project benefit/impact town residents?) 

● Likelihood of success. Does the nonprofit or the individuals involved have a good plan for how to implement the project? Do they have experience or knowledge that makes success likely?

 ● Does the cost seem reasonable for the expected impact or benefit? Individual grant requests cannot exceed $5,000 nor can they be less than $250. 

V. Additional Information 

Applicants should complete all required questions of the application and submit the completed budget template by email by 11:59 P.M. on December 16, 2024. Each applying organization or community group may only submit one proposal. 

Grant awards must be for future use.  Grant awards cannot be used as reimbursement for anything that has already taken place.

VI. Key Dates 

● Release of Request for Proposals: November 1, 2024 

● Applications Due: December 16, 2024 

● Grant Awards Announced: January 2025