Community Catalyst Funds is a grant from the Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation that funds nonprofits serving residents across the 20-town service area of Northwest Connecticut. NCCF donors and fundholders provide millions of dollars in grants each year through various competitive grant programs.

The foundation also hosts Northwest Corner Gives, an online giving program offering dollar-for-dollar donation matching to eligible campaigns. Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations serving residents within NCCF's 20-town Northwest Connecticut service area. Award amounts vary by program and funding cycle.

Northwest CT Community Foundation | Northwest Connecticut Community… Grants and Sponsorship Opportunities NCCF donors and fundholders provide Northwest CT nonprofits with millions of dollars in grants each year.

Northwest Corner Gives 2026, an online giving program designed to empower local nonprofit fundraising through digital engagement will run from July 1st to July 22nd, offering a vital opportunity for community members to support a diverse array of local causes. Through the generosity of Northwest Corner Gives sponsors, NCCF will match donations to nonprofit campaigns dollar-for-dollar up to campaign goals.

Application Deadline: May 4, 2026 The Northwest Corner Gives application is open! Apply for Northwest Corner Gives Other Grant Opportunities Community Catalyst funds and Field of Interest funds support long-term solutions; respond quickly to emergencies; and meet changing social, cultural, educational, or environmental needs in our local community and beyond.

Grants from these funds are often awarded through Cycle Grants, competitive grant rounds held three times per year. Application Grant Guidelines and a Quick Start Guide for how to apply using our online grants portal. Apply: Online Grant Lifecycle Manager Portal › Cycle Grants are available three times per year.

Support is available for programs, capital improvements, capacity building, and operating expenses. NCCF has established a funding priority around Early Childhood Literacy. There are many ways all nonprofits can inspire reading and boost reading comprehension.

NCCF would like to encourage thought leadership in this area and stimulate program development around this issue. Application Grant Guidelines and a Quick Start Guide for how to apply using our online grants portal.

Apply: Online Grant Lifecycle Manager Portal › Women & Girls Fund Grants The NCCF Women & Girls Fund awards grants annually with the goal of helping women and girls develop economic self-sufficiency by means of education, financial literacy and social services. The Women & Girls Fund accepts LOIs by invitation only.

Year-End Critical Needs Grants NCCF allocates a minimum of $60,000 to distribute to public charities and faith-based organizations in its 20-town service area for year-end critical-needs grants. More is often available based on needs. Grants are made possible through the NCCF Draper Foundation Fund, and the NCCF Marion Wm.

& Alice Edwards Fund. Instructions and a Quick Start Guide for how to apply using our online grants portal. Online Grant Lifecycle Manager Portal The deadline for the 2026 Year End Critical Needs Grant Application is October 15, 2026.

The Edwards Community Endowment Program (ECEP) The Edwards Community Endowment Program (ECEP) is a matching-grants program designed to assist Northwest Connecticut nonprofits with the establishment of endowment funds or to increase established endowments. The project is made possible through a grant from the NCCF Marion Wm. and Alice Edwards Fund.

The purpose of Project is to assist nonprofits in establishing an endowment or adding to an existing NCCF fund. Selected non profits receive a $1 match for every $4 raised with a maximum $20,000 match per organization. All funds generated through the project are placed in a permanent named fund.

Nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations in the Foundation's 20-town service area that have been in existence for a minimum of three years Organizations that wish to: (i) establish their first organizational endowment, or (ii) raise additional capital to supplement an existing endowment, and (iii) have this endowment managed by the Foundation as a permanent, named fund for the benefit of the organization.

ECEP applications for the program are accepted on a rolling basis. Organizations are selected for participation through a competitive application process. Each participating organization must raise a minimum of $16,000 in endowment gifts to be eligible for an initial match of $4,000.

Organizations unable to reach the $16,000 minimum goal during the allotted time do not receive matching funds; however, monies raised will be placed into a temporary fund at NCCF until the organization reaches a decision as to how and by whom the fund will be managed. Cash and marketable securities can be counted toward the endowment project match.

Funds from existing reserves, operational pledges, or any funds re-directed by a participating organization’s Board of Directors that are specifically earmarked for current operational uses do not qualify. Money that has been earmarked by the donor for an endowment or established as an organizational endowment may be considered.

Deferred gifts, such as charitable remainder trusts and bequests, are excellent ways to grow endowment funds, but they may not be counted as pledges for the purpose of the Edwards Community Endowment Project. The primary criterion used in evaluating applications is how the organization plans to supplement the endowment fund once it has been established.

Special consideration is given to organizations that: Incorporate endowment-building strategies in overall development efforts Demonstrate involvement and leadership of board members in endowment fundraising Provide marketing plans that incorporate endowment-building and planned giving Demonstrate organizational stability and track record in raising various types of funds.

Organizations receiving grants from the Edwards Community Endowment Project are not eligible to reapply for participation in the project. Organizations whose applications are denied may reapply in subsequent years.

Organizations interested in applying for participation in the Edwards Community Endowment Project should contact NCCF staff for more information about establishing an organizational endowment, investment and spending policies, administrative fees, and eligible gifts.

Applications are submitted through the Online Grant Lifecycle Manager Portal Building Healthier Communities Fund Grants The Building Healthier Communities Fund was established as part of an affiliation agreement between Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and Hartford Healthcare Corporation to enhance the economic and community well-being of the Greater Torrington and Winsted areas through strategies that advance: Improvements to business growth, diversification, and retention; Expand educational and workforce development; Foster regionalism and economic strategic partnerships; Enhance or replace our aged infrastructure; and/or Improve population health and conditions of daily living across all life stages.

Proposals for grants are invitation only . Grant awards for the Building Healthy Communities Fund initiatives generally range from $5,000-$50,000. Larger requests, if critical to the success of the project or program, may be considered.

NCCF manages many donor advised funds. These funds are established by donors to support specific charitable interests. Some of these funds are established as a bequest to provide support for area nonprofits in perpetuity.

Others support the community as needed and at the recommendation of an anonymous fund holder. Grant applications for donor advised funds are managed on an invitation-only basis based on the wishes of the fund holders. Application invitations are non-transferable.

The Canaan Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the Town of North Canaan. To fulfill this mission, The Canaan Foundation awards grants to not-for-profit organizations for community programs and projects in such fields as education, the environment, recreation, the arts, health, and social services. Grant requests have ranged from $250 to $2,000, but are not to exceed $2,000.

Grant recipients will be requested to provide the Foundation with an evaluation of the progress and success of the funded project. Sponsorship Opportunities NCCF awards sponsorships throughout the year for nonprofit fundraising events.

For more information, please contact Julia Scharnberg, Vice President of Community Engagement Grant Lifecycle Manager Portal Contact Julia Scharnberg, Vice President of Community Engagement Does your organization need permanent funding? Establishing an NCCF agency fund is a simple and efficient way to build capital for your nonprofit organization.