In March, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving launched the COVID-19 Response Fund to rapidly deploy resources to support the residents who are most significantly affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier this month, the Foundation announced that for the remainder of 2020, the Fund will transition from emergency response to keeping nonprofit staff and clients well prepared and safe during the re-opening phase of the pandemic. Grant awards will support re-opening costs that nonprofits expect to incur over the next six months, including personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning, small COVID-related infrastructure accommodations, technology to support virtual services and/or remote staff, staff health screenings, etc. and must be in alignment with state and federal public health guidelines for safely re-opening facilities.
“As state and federal support to assist nonprofits with costs associated with cleaning and PPE has not been readily available, the Hartford Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund is pleased to provide these vital supports to our dedicated community providers to allow them to service residents safely during the ongoing pandemic,” said Hartford Foundation President Jay Williams. “These grants from the Fund also include resources to support capacity building to assist our local arts community as they seek to reopen their businesses and make art and arts education available to our residents.”
The first round of COVID-19 Response Fund Phase Two grants totaling $358,112 support community-based organizations that provide a variety of critical supports. Since its launch, the COVID-19 Response Fund has granted more than $8 million to nearly 150 organizations providing basic human needs, cleaning supplies, PPE to support the reopening of nonprofits and other services to local residents.
| Organization | Services | Grant Amount |
| ARC of the Farmington Valley | Grant will provide partial support for reopening costs including cleaning and building improvements. | $22,000 |
| Bridge Family Center | Grant will provide partial support for reopening costs including technology, PPE and cleaning supplies. | $20,667 |
| Catholic Charities | Grant will provide partial support for reopening costs including PPE, minor building enhancements, cleaning supplies and services. | $35,000 |
| Community Partners in Action | Grant will provide partial support for reopening costs including cleaning, technology, thermometers, and small building enhancements. | $35,000 |
| Connecticut Public Broadcasting | Grant will provide partial support for reopening costs including PPE and cleaning. | $3,000 |
| Community Solutions, Inc. | Grant will provide partial support for reopening costs including cleaning, PPE and technology. | $35,000 |
| Glastonbury ABC | Grant will provide partial support for reopening costs including PPE and cleaning. | $4,000 |
| Goodworks | Grant will provide partial support for reopening costs including PPE and technology. | $2,000 |
| Jewish Family Services | Grant will provide partial support for reopening costs including technology and small building enhancements. | $20,000 |
| Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford | Grant will provide partial support for reopening costs including PPE, cleaning and technology. | $21,445 |
| MARC Inc. of Manchester | Grant will provide partial support for reopening costs including technology, cleaning and sanitizing equipment. | $35,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of Southern New England | Grant will provide flexible support for PPE, cleaning supplies and technology | $20,000 |
| ScholarScripts, Inc. | Grant will provide support for capacity building in the arts sector around reopening including group collaboration sessions, executive coaching, and individual technical assistance for organizations. | $85,000 |
| The Children’s Museum | Grant will provide partial support for reopening costs including PPE, cleaning, small facilities modifications, technology and staff health screenings. | $20,000 |
The Foundation has committed $10.5 million to the COVID-19 Response Fund through the end of 2020. Furthermore, the Foundation has received more than $4.1 million in donations from generous individuals, corporations and donor-advised-funds. For a complete listing of COVID-19 Response Donors follow this link.
Fundraising will continue throughout the public health crisis, and it is clear that the consequences of COVID-19 will persist through the end of 2020.
To learn more about the COVID-19 Response Fund or to make a donation log onto www.hfpg.org/covid-19-response.
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 $795 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.