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Hartford Foundation for Public Giving / Greater Hartford Gives Foundation

Annual Giving
$54.8M
Grant Range
$1K - $1.5M

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving (Greater Hartford Gives Foundation)

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $54.8 million (2024)
  • Endowment: $1.2 billion
  • Grant Range: $500 - $1,500,000+
  • Geographic Focus: 29 towns in Greater Hartford region, Connecticut
  • Founded: 1925
  • Application Method: Inquiry-based system, rolling basis

Contact Details

Website: https://www.hfpg.org (transitioning to https://www.greaterhartfordgives.org in January 2026)

Email: inquiries@greaterhartfordgives.org (previously applications@hfpg.org)

Phone: 860-548-1888

Note: The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is rebranding as "Greater Hartford Gives Foundation" effective January 1, 2026. The organization, legal entity, and EIN (06-0699252) remain unchanged.

Overview

Founded in 1925, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is Connecticut's largest community foundation with a $1.2 billion endowment. Since its founding, the organization has awarded more than $1 billion in grants to organizations serving over 800,000 residents and hundreds of nonprofits across 29 towns in Greater Hartford. In 2024 alone, the Foundation awarded 2,440 grants totaling nearly $55 million—the second largest amount in the organization's history. The Foundation's mission is "putting philanthropy into action to create lasting solutions that result in vibrant communities within the Greater Hartford region." Under the leadership of President and CEO Jay Williams (since 2017), the Foundation has centered its work on dismantling structural racism and advancing equity in social and economic mobility, with a particular focus on Greater Hartford's Black and Latine communities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Core Support Grants: Unrestricted funding to support general operations

Project Grants: Support for specific programs or initiatives aligned with Foundation priorities

Capacity Building Grants: Funding to strengthen organizational infrastructure and effectiveness

Greater Together Community Funds: Community-led grantmaking in each of the 29 towns

  • Grants range from $500 - $5,000
  • Average award: $2,500
  • Application: Rolling basis through local community committees

Nonprofit Support Program: Approximately $2 million distributed annually across 90 grants

  • Average grant: $22,000

Summer Program Grants: Competitive grants for summer campership and enrichment opportunities

  • Individual requests up to $50,000
  • Total pool: $750,000 annually

Multi-Year Strategic Grants: Large-scale funding for transformational initiatives

  • Range: $150,000 - $1,500,000+
  • Duration: 1-3 years

Priority Areas

The Foundation organizes its work around five strategic outcome areas:

  1. Employment: Increasing employment opportunities, prioritizing Black and Latine residents in the region
  2. Wellbeing: Improving physical and emotional well-being of Greater Hartford residents
  3. Neighborhood Development: Increasing the number of higher opportunity neighborhoods within and outside of Hartford
  4. Civic Engagement: Strengthening the culture of civic and resident engagement
  5. Arts Equity: Increasing equity and inclusion in the arts

Cross-cutting themes:

  • Dismantling structural racism
  • Advancing economic and social mobility
  • Supporting community-led solutions
  • Building organizational capacity

What They Don't Fund

  • Private non-operating foundations
  • Organizations that do not significantly benefit residents of the Foundation's 29-town region
  • Projects that do not align with the Foundation's commitment to equity and inclusion

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership

Jay Williams, President and CEO (since July 2017): Previously served as U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development in the Obama Administration and as Mayor of Youngstown, Ohio (the city's first Black and youngest mayor). Under his leadership, the Foundation has significantly elevated its focus on breaking down structural racism and promoting equity in social and economic mobility.

Board of Directors

Dr. Mark Overmyer-Velázquez, Board Chair: University Campus Director for the University of Connecticut-Hartford. Appointed to the board in 2019 by MetroHartford Alliance.

Marlene Ibsen, Treasurer: Chief Executive Officer and President of Travelers Foundation (since November 2007).

Board Structure: The volunteer Board of Directors governs the Foundation's policies and grant decisions. Board members serve five-year terms and can serve a maximum of two terms. Members are appointed by the Trustees Committee (comprised of Bank of America and KeyBank) and other partner organizations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Hartford Foundation uses an inquiry-based application system rather than open applications:

  1. Submit an Inquiry: Organizations begin by submitting an inquiry through the Foundation's online grant portal describing their proposed work and how it aligns with the Foundation's strategic priorities

  2. Initial Review and Discussion: A member of the Community Impact team contacts applicants to discuss the inquiry and determine alignment with Foundation priorities

  3. Invitation to Apply: Organizations whose work aligns with Foundation priorities are invited to submit a full application through their Grant Lifecycle Manager (GLM) Dashboard

  4. Not all inquiries advance: When organizations are not invited to apply, Community Impact staff share the rationale and any concerns identified during the review

  5. Application Review: Applications undergo staff review and evaluation

  6. Outcome Negotiation: For promising applications, staff engage in "friendly negotiation" to set reasonable expectations for outcomes, ensuring alignment on grant terms, timelines, and achievable goals

  7. Grant Approval: Successful applicants receive notification from their Community Impact Officer and a Grant Award Letter clarifying grant terms, payment schedule, and reporting requirements

Important Notes:

  • The Foundation welcomes pre-inquiry conversations with Community Impact staff
  • Current grantees should contact their Community Impact Officer before applying to new opportunities
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) status can apply if they partner with a nonprofit fiscal sponsor

Decision Timeline

Varies by program type:

  • Greater Together Community Funds: Rolling basis with periodic review cycles
  • Access Grants (when available): Applications received by specific dates (e.g., May 15 for June 15 awards; August 15 for September 15 awards)
  • Strategic grants: Case-by-case timeline based on program complexity
  • Unsuccessful applications to some programs (like Access Grants) may be automatically reconsidered in subsequent funding rounds

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However:

  • The Foundation uses an inquiry system designed to screen alignment before full applications are invited
  • Not all inquiries result in invitation to apply
  • In 2024, the Foundation awarded 2,440 grants from their $1.2 billion endowment
  • The Hartford Greater Together Community Fund received "the highest number of applications for any grant cycle" in 2024, awarding 11 grants

Reapplication Policy

For some grant programs (e.g., Access Grants), unsuccessful applications are automatically held for consideration in future funding rounds without requiring resubmission. For the Foundation's general grantmaking, organizations are encouraged to contact Community Impact staff (inquiries@greaterhartfordgives.org) to discuss feedback and future opportunities.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrate Strategic Alignment

Organizations that clearly align with the Foundation's outcome portfolios receive stronger consideration. Specifically:

  • Show explicit commitment to dismantling structural racism and advancing equity
  • Demonstrate how your work advances economic and social mobility for Black and Latine communities
  • Connect your proposed work to one or more of the five strategic outcome areas (employment, wellbeing, neighborhood development, civic engagement, arts equity)

Strong Governance and Organizational Health

The Foundation seeks organizations with:

  • Engaged boards with members who understand their roles and responsibilities
  • Board composition that reflects the diversity of communities served
  • Clear strategic planning
  • Demonstrated financial health
  • Effective governance practices

Geographic Focus

Demonstrate that a significant portion of your services benefit residents of the Foundation's 29-town region: Andover, Avon, Bloomfield, Bolton, Canton, East Granby, East Hartford, East Windsor, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Glastonbury, Granby, Hartford, Hebron, Manchester, Marlboro, Newington, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, Somers, South Windsor, Suffield, Tolland, Vernon, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor, and Windsor Locks.

Community Engagement

Show meaningful engagement with the communities you serve. The Foundation values:

  • Resident-informed approaches
  • Community-led solutions
  • Programs developed in partnership with those most affected

Examples of Recent Funded Projects

Understanding what the Foundation funds provides insight into their priorities:

  • Roca Inc.: $460,000 (two years) for Young Mothers program helping young women develop skills for behavior change and economic mobility
  • ReadyCT: $530,000 (two years) to prepare East Hartford and Hartford high school students for high-growth career sectors
  • LISC Connecticut: $1.5 million (three years) to create a more inclusive community development sector
  • Connecticut Students for a Dream: $250,000 to support undocumented and immigrant youth
  • Artists of Color Accelerate Fellowship: $241,000 for third cohort supporting business development for creative professionals of color
  • Wadsworth Atheneum: $150,000 for "Styling Identities: Hair's Tangled Histories" exhibition
  • Food and basic needs organizations: 33 nonprofits received grants (totaling $340,000+) for food assistance, emergency financial aid, and case management

Engage Early and Often

  • Review the Foundation's website thoroughly before applying to understand strategic priorities
  • Contact Community Impact staff before submitting an inquiry—they welcome conversations about grant ideas
  • Current grantees should speak with their Community Impact Officer before applying to new opportunities
  • Be prepared to discuss how your proposed outcomes are achievable given the grant amount and timeline

Use Foundation Language

Incorporate the Foundation's values and terminology:

  • Leadership, Innovation, Diversity/Equity/Inclusion, Collaboration, Learning-focused, Outcome-driven, Stewardship
  • Emphasize flexibility, shared learning, and transparency in your approach

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Strategic alignment is critical: The Foundation prioritizes organizations explicitly working to dismantle structural racism and advance economic and social mobility for Black and Latine communities. Generic diversity statements won't cut it—show specific, actionable commitment.

  • Start with an inquiry, not a full application: The Foundation uses a partnership model. Submit an inquiry first and be prepared for a conversation with Community Impact staff before being invited to apply.

  • Multi-year funding is available: The Foundation prioritizes multi-year grants when possible and provides flexible, unrestricted funding (Core Support Grants). Don't limit yourself to one-year project grants.

  • Geographic specificity matters: Be clear about how your work benefits residents across the 29-town Greater Hartford region. If you're based outside the region, demonstrate substantial impact within it.

  • Strong governance is evaluated: Ensure your board is diverse, engaged, and reflects the communities you serve. Board effectiveness is a key consideration in funding decisions.

  • Engage with staff proactively: The Foundation welcomes pre-inquiry conversations. Use these to refine your proposal and ensure alignment before submitting formal materials.

  • Name change in progress: As of January 2026, the organization is rebranding as "Greater Hartford Gives Foundation" with a new website (greaterhartfordgives.org), though the legal entity and EIN remain unchanged. Be aware of both names during the transition.

References

  • Hartford Foundation for Public Giving official website: https://www.hfpg.org (accessed January 6, 2026)
  • Greater Hartford Gives Foundation (new website): https://greaterhartfordgives.org (accessed January 6, 2026)
  • "Hartford Foundation 2024 Grantmaking Approaches $55 million," Hartford Foundation for Public Giving news release, December 2024
  • "Hartford Foundation awards nearly $55M in grants in 2024," Hartford Business Journal, December 2024
  • ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Greater Hartford Community Foundation Inc (EIN 42-1684133)
  • ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Hartford Foundation For Public Giving (EIN 06-0699252)
  • "Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Announces New Name, Logo and Tagline," news release, December 2025
  • "After announcing new North End HQ, Hartford Foundation will change its name," Hartford Business Journal, December 2025
  • Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Rebranding FAQ, 2025
  • Greater Hartford Gives Foundation grantmaking resources and application guidelines (accessed January 6, 2026)
  • Greater Hartford Gives Foundation history and mission page (accessed January 6, 2026)
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