HARTFORD, CT -- Of the estimated 2,750 public charities operating in Greater Hartford, the vast majority are small organizations with budgets under $500,000. Because of their modest size and structure, obtaining financial support from government and philanthropic funders can be incredibly difficult. The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving’s “Building On Success” program is tailored to meet the needs of small nonprofits that have limited knowledge of and access to capacity building resources.
The Hartford Foundation is pleased to announce its second cohort of eleven small nonprofit organizations participating in the Building on Success program. These organizations will be engaged in a two-year effort that combines capacity building support and small grants. Building On Success includes quarterly group learning sessions, individual organizational consultation, and grant support. Each organization that fully participates in the program will be awarded a total of $10,000 over two years.
“Over the past two years, the Foundation has worked to expand its support and deepen its relationship to our region’s small nonprofit organizations,” said Judy Rozie-Battle, senior vice president for community investments at the Hartford Foundation. “The Building On Success program has made a positive impact in supporting under-resourced organizations by strengthening their capacity to better serve the community and help them build a track-record. This is an example of the Hartford Foundation’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the region’s nonprofit sector by initiating new and innovative programming for developing organizations.”
For more than 20 years, the Connecticut Immigrant and Refugee Coalition (CIRC) has worked to promote the rights and opportunities of immigrants and refugees in Connecticut and to foster their civic participation. CIRC is a broad-based network of community organizations, religious and business groups, and legal service providers that’s committed to protecting the rights of and economic development of refugee and immigrant communities in the state. In 2017, the previously all-volunteer organization hired an executive director to more effectively respond to Connecticut’s refugee and immigrant population.
“We look forward to learning from the team leaders and experts in Building for Success and also the other nonprofit agencies participating in the program,” said CIRC Executive Director Robert Fishman. “It is helpful to share positive and not-so-positive experiences with others. We also are looking for guidance in strategic planning and significant help in fundraising. In these difficult times for nonprofits, we believe the Building for Success program will add much value to our mission and goals.”
Nourish My Soul in Manchester is dedicated to improving the food system through community based agriculture, nutrition education, and youth empowerment while advocating for food sovereignty. Food is the catalyst used to connect communities, encourage stewardship, and inspire new leaders in the food movement. Nourish My Soul specializes in youth education programs with a focus on food systems, culinary arts, nutritional education, agriculture, community outreach, project development, and leadership. Like CIRC, Nourish My Soul has only one full-time paid employee, who serves as the executive director.
Each organization in the Building On Success program will be assigned an organizational consultant at the onset of the program. Initially, that consultant will complete an organizational assessment that will serve as the basis for the future work with the nonprofit. The program’s goals are to assist participating nonprofits in understanding current capabilities and areas for future development; strengthen areas of greatest need; learn and apply information about important nonprofit management functions; develop a strategic plan; and fund mission related projects.
“Participating in Building on success is a great opportunity to help us manage our growth in a strategic way,” said Nourish My Soul Executive Director Alicia Newton. “Having access to a consultant while also belonging to a group of organizations in similar circumstances is something we view as a huge asset.
We are extremely small right now and are ready to grow our staff, participating in this program will allow us to have the strong foundation needed to do it right. We are very grateful for this opportunity to be a part of the next cohort of Building On Success.”
The nine other nonprofit organizations participating in the Building on Success Program are:
- BSL Educational Foundation, Inc. (Hartford)
- Connecticut Center for Nonviolence, Inc. (Hartford)
- Foundation for Educational Opportunities, Inc. (Hartford)
- Glastonbury MLK Community Initiative (Glastonbury)
- Lift Every Voice and Sing (Hartford)
- Open Doors Outdoors (South Glastonbury)
- Probus National, Inc. – Greater Hartford Club (West Hartford)
- SpEdconnecticut Inc. (Hartford)
- Wood Memorial Library and Museum (South Windsor)
Key benefits of the program include an increased number of stable and healthy small nonprofit organizations that provide valued services to the Greater Hartford community and increased support to citizens that participate generously in the life of their community as volunteers, board members and donors with the small nonprofit organizations.
The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for Hartford and 28 surrounding communities. Made possible by the gifts of generous individuals, families and organizations, the Foundation has awarded grants of more than $750 million since its founding in 1925. For more information about the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, visit www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.
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Contact:
Chris Senecal
Senior Public Policy and Media Relations Officer
Hartford Foundation for Public Giving
860-548-1888 x1050
csenecal@hfpg.org
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