Grassroots Leadership (Connecticut Community Foundation)

Grassroots Leadership (Connecticut Community Foundation) is sponsored by Connecticut Community Foundation. Supports grassroots leadership initiatives—often advocacy, community organizing, public policy engagement—in Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills region of CT.

Grassroots Leaders - Connecticut Community Foundation Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Types of Charitable Funds Pride in the Hill Fund (LGBTQ+) Building Equitable Opportunity Health and Environmental Justice Herbst Fund for Eye Research Pride in the Hill Fund (LGBTQ+) Southbury Community Trust Fund Waterbury Black Giving Circle Whittemore Travel Scholarship Communicating About Your Grant Award Supporting College Dreams Organizational Development Give Local Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills Returns April 21-22, 2026!

Please Support the Foundation’s Fund for Urgent Response: Help Our Neighbors with Immediate, Critical Needs. Grassroots Leaders Beth Messina 2026-02-27T11:06:51-05:00 At a workshop hosted by Connecticut Community Foundation’s grassroots grants program, attendees learned tools and tactics for working together to advocate for community change.

At the heart of every strong community are individuals who are passionate about making a difference right where they live. Our grassroots grant program is designed to empower residents by offering funding to community leaders for projects that strengthen Waterbury and its neighborhoods . The average grant size is $5,000 – $7,000.

APPLY NOW. PROPOSALS ARE REVIEWED QUARTERLY. Local Efforts -Supporting equitable efforts to revitalize communities, influence local systems and foster leadership within the City of Waterbury.

Collaboration – Supporting a robust and collaborative network of multi-generational residents in Waterbury who are working together toward a shared vision . P roviding Resources – Expanding the availability of tools and resources for community members. Grassroots Groups – Prioritizing smaller, resident-led groups working to impact Waterbury with budgets under $100,000.

Efforts we support include Helping people register to vote and other projects designed to increase civic engagement. Projects must be non-partisan. Community organizing and leadership training for Waterbury residents.

Programming aimed at youth development and youth leadership, including young adults (18-24). Projects and events that bring people together and help to build community. Possible project examples Series of workshops or trainings Food, materials, and resource distribution Grants are reviewed on a quarterly basis by a committee of community residents.

Our average grant size is $5,000 – $7,000. Prioritizes ongoing work, rather than one-off events. Values collaboration and bringing in community partners, rather than working alone.

Grassroots Leaders grant proposals are accepted on a rolling basis but are only reviewed in odd-numbered months. See Grassroots Leaders grants awarded in 2025 Download the informational flyer in English and Spanish APPLY NOW. PROPOSALS ARE REVIEWED QUARTERLY.

For more information, please contact: Patrick McKenna, Assistant Director, Community Impact pmckenna@conncf. org | 203. 753.

1315 Frequently Asked Questions Beth Messina 2025-11-20T15:39:06-05:00 Special Thanks to Ion Bank Foundation for their $30k Match to the Impact NOW Fund Volunteers at St. Vincent DePaul Mission Soup Kitchen in Waterbury cook, prepare and serve 'grab-and-go' meals and provide [...]

Beth Messina 2025-11-13T09:51:18-05:00 Scholarship Winner Thriving at Harvard Nadina Bhadrasain, Harvard University, Class of 2029 In August, Nadina Bhadrasain stepped onto Harvard’s Cambridge campus, ready [...] Beth Messina 2025-11-07T14:44:48-05:00 Forum in Litchfield Explores Responsive Change and Action On October 28, we at the Foundation were inspired and gratified by the overwhelming turnout and the wonderful community [...]

Connecticut Community Foundation Building rewarding lives and thriving communities in Greater Waterbury and 43 Field Street, Waterbury, CT 06702 203. 753. 1315 | info@conncf.

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